Tame a Nigerian Dwarf

[WooingWyandotte]

To be honest, my wild does didn't really calm down until after they had babies and I was milking them...it could take him awhile to get a little more laid back and mature if he's young. I wouldn't sweat it.

Thanks for the advice. I never thought of that he would be the one training me! I am going to give your tips a try and see how far I get. I know he might not be the cuddle bug that I would want but I should be able to walk up to him and touch without him freaking out.

 

[wojcika]

Update to my original posting. Pepper (the goat's name) now comes when called for grain. Allowed to pet and scratch during grain session only. He seems to be ok with me walking around out in the pasture and hanging out with his buddies. If there is anyone else he gets a bit skiddish and hides. I don't know if that will change much because I am the only one that takes care of him. I didn't have the cuddle bug I wanted but he is doing better.

 

[Treats Farms]

Thanks for asking this. We have begun to goat farming business with some goats that are 5 months to 7 years old. The older ones are scared and will only come close enough to a bucket of food while you hold the bucket. The younger ones we will leash train as they get get up close enough for a quick pet. Its taking time and patience, but I believe they will warm up to us humans.

 

[WooingWyandotte]

Update to my original posting. Pepper (the goat's name) now comes when called for grain. Allowed to pet and scratch during grain session only. He seems to be ok with me walking around out in the pasture and hanging out with his buddies. If there is anyone else he gets a bit skiddish and hides. I don't know if that will change much because I am the only one that takes care of him. I didn't have the cuddle bug I wanted but he is doing better.

 

[SarahMG]

One method I used to help tame goats was leash-training them. I would put a goat on a leash, and slowly get them to walk a certain distance. At first it was a struggle, but they soon learned that I would walk them into the woods that isn't in their fence, and let them eat. So they would all rush up to me when they saw I had the leash, and all jostle each other around to try and get their turn first. They all loved to be petted, and I walked them every where.

 

[wojcika]

Update to Pepper. I started my quest to tame him again. I started again this winter by throwing out hay to everyone and then purposely giving him special treats. I would practice the I get bored with him before he gets bored with me routine. I was at this time unable to pet him at all. He did start calling to me when I would go out there and follow me around until he received some treats. Keep in mind that I would not give in every time he would do this. This was progress even though it was a small baby step!

So then I knew the shedding season was coming so I also needed to figure out a way to groom him. I started feeding him grain about every three to four days. I would groom him at this time. He didn't appear to enjoy it at all and as soon as he would finish his grain he would run away. As he started shedding more and more I increased graining to try to keep him from looking like an old mattress. Then one day when he was done with grain he actually paused for at least a minute before running off. We did this again a few days later. He again stayed for a few minutes before running off.

Then a few days later I was out grooming my horse and I decided to sit down and groom his legs. Pepper came up and was being fairly inquisitive. So I held my brush in my hand at his head level and he came over to sniff it. I started (very very very slowly and with no quick moments) touching his face with it. He didn't seem to mind so I moved up his face and to the top of his head. He actually looked like he was enjoying it! I guess long story short I learned that he didn't really care for someone stooping over and trying to pet or groom him. You had to be at his level to even start. So in the months time he has now figured out that when I groom my horse he can get groomed by standing in between me and the horse and he really enjoys it! He still gets a bit spooked and you still can't just run up to him and pet or groom but it is so much better than before!