LOADING
*Please feel free to print out these tips.
Training your goats to jump in a pickup
or trailer is one of the easiest things to teach. It can usually be accomplished
in one session. Start with a goat big enough to make the jump. Most goats
over a year old are big enough. Start by backing your truck up to a dirt
bank or hump that allows for a level or light step up into the truck. Assuming
your goat leads well, lead it around the back of the truck and give it the
command to load. You can use whatever command you want. I usually pat the
tailgate and tell the goat to "get in". Next lead (or drag) the goat into
the truck. Once in the truck give the goat a handfull of grain and lots of
praise. Lead the goat out, go once around the area and back in again. Repeat
the command each time and reward the goat with a handful of grain. In no
time the goat will figure out that by getting in the truck it gets grain
and it will pull you to the truck to get in. Once you reach this point, lead
the goat beside the truck and do not let it get in until you give the load
command. Never reward the goat for loading unless you have given the command.
When the goat is loading every time on command its time to pull the truck
up, increasing the distance the goat has to step up to get in. It should
readily jump the small increase in distance with no problem. Load at this
distance a few times and then move the truck up again. Increase the distance
by about a foot each time you move the truck.. Don't forget the load command
each time and lots of praise with the grain. If the goat stalls at a certain
height, back the truck up and start where it will load reliably and start
increasing the distance more slowly between moves. You are teaching the goat
not only a new command but also that it is able to jump the distance into
the truck.
Your goat should be loading in less that
an hour. Repeat this lesson every day for a few minutes in different places
so the goat gets used to loading wherever the truck is parked. Any goats
that balk at loading at the trail head usually change their mind when they
see the other goats getting their grain in the truck.
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