Funny behaviour, squats when I approach?

ani's ark · #1 06/03/12, 01:11 AM

Hi, this is something I've noticed which is weird in my 4yo Saanen doe Salma. When I come over to pet her or feed her she squats and pees. She'll even wait to be handfed or brushed untill she's done her show-wee-wee for me! At first I thought it was only when she was in heat, but she's now in kid again and still does it, especially when she hasnt seen me for a while eg. when I get home from work or come out of the house to pet her. She's affectionate and docile by nature. Why is this? Does she think I'm a buck?? I'm a girl too!

Alice In TX/MO · #2 06/03/12, 06:46 AM

If she has been lying down as you approach, standing up and peeing is normal behavior.

ani's ark · #3 06/09/12, 12:56 AM

Thanks Alice. It's a funny question I know! It's not just from lying down, sometimes she'll be grazing and when I come over to pat her she does it. And also when her horse buddy comes over for a chat she does it for him too. Maybe she just forgets to go until someone reminds her: her old owners nicknamed her 'Blondie' because she's so laid back! :-)

Minelson · #4 06/09/12, 08:10 AM

It must be how she shows her love!

Or she is just so excited to see you she just must pee!

CarolT · #5 06/09/12, 11:00 AM

Oh wow.... I expected a lot of "that's normal" replies. My girls do the same thing. I always thought it was emptying the bladder so they were ready if I was putting them on the stand for milking, trimming hooves, whatever. Or even taking them somewhere in a vehicle. All 3 of my does do it and the 2 little girls are picking up the behavior.

ETA I also thought it was a behavior most goats had LOL

where I want to · #6 06/09/12, 12:16 PM

Since my girls do it even if they can only find a little bit to shove out, I think it has more to do with goat communication- a sort of a "Hi there, giant head-goat-lady. I greet you and show you I respect your place as head of the herd."
Which is a lot of commincation for very little effort.

dlskidmore · #7 06/09/12, 12:53 PM

Dogs do this as a sign of submission. Causes a lot of problems for indoor dogs in households where the owner doesn't understand. I sign submission, you yell at me, I sign more submission...

CarolT · #8 06/09/12, 01:18 PM

It ma be greeting but no way it's submission. Letitia doesn't know submission. My DH doesn't milk, trim hooves, etc and they don't do this at him, either.

wolffeathers · #9 06/09/12, 01:19 PM

I think my 3 have a competition of who can come the closest to peeing on my shoes.

ani's ark · #10 06/15/12, 04:19 AM

Thanks for all the responses, it's good to know its normal! It makes me laugh how she sees me coming and hurries to squat as a greeting. And she holds weewee back in case she needs more. Then when the horse comes over she turns her back on him and does it again - he sniffs it, so there's some kind of communication going on. I choose not to sniff it though!