Help with raising kids!

Minelson · #1 02/19/08, 05:22 PM

Well, I'm just wondering when to start disciplining my little Frankie & Flossie. Some of the stuff they are doing is funny now but won't be when they get bigger....like jumping on my back. Do they just stop or do I have to start training them not too. The other thing is they are obsessed with chewing on my hair. I have been wearing a hat until today and they just went bonkers trying to get at my hair! Any help would be appreciated with any training ideas...I'm already getting them used to me handling their feet and playing with their ears...
Thanks!

thaiblue12 · #2 02/19/08, 05:29 PM

No they just don't stop. Mimi was jumping on my back and prancing around when she was little. I stood up slowly when she would do it and she learned to stop. It hurts and would not be welcome with her current size.
My Nubian use to try to jump up and put his hooves on my chest. He is over a hundred pounds! So I stopped him before he could get on me. I shoved him away and told him " NO!".
They are quite persistant and you have to be as well. It is cute now but hurts like heck later. It is like dog training in a way. They have to learn "no" and have good manners.

**mygoat** · #3 02/19/08, 06:40 PM

Young kids chew on hair and clothes because of the textures. They are learning and do so by mouthing things. Train them now that clothing, fingers, and hair are not foodstuffs.

As for jumping up, stop them from doing that now. Also, do not allow them to butt you or act dominant to you. When they're big enough, practice leading on leashes as well as in-hand.

AnnaS · #4 02/19/08, 11:53 PM

They do eventually stop jumping, once gravity takes over...

All goat babies climb on people. I usually do the "BAH!" kid pain yell when I'm climbed upon. Kids know what that means and will usually stop jumping. Some need a smack on the nose. The occasional nutball (Mio, I'm looking at you) thinks it's funny to jump if there is an interesting result.

My poor buckling got a full scale throw-down and screaming-at when he jumped on me. (He was 1 month and 10lbs). He will NOT take his forefeet off the ground near me, not even to jump on a stand.

All of my kids and does will taste clothing and other unfamiliar objects. This characteristic is what makes goats such successful foragers and I don't discourage it.

A judge/linear appraiser showed me the goat equivalent of the alpha roll. You hold the doe's muzzle in your hand and make her step a few steps forward, and then a few steps back, until she is compliant. One of my does snapped at him, and he calmly and kindly did this to her. She was so angry she was shaking, but her manners suddenly improved 100%.