FEELING GUILTY?
Don't be so hard on yourself...

Page 2

So how do we decide what to do? What if the approach we select doesn't work? Could there a number of possible approaches to the specific issue? Is there only one right approach or can there be several that may have the potential for success? What information could be helpful in making that educated decision? While experience is a great teacher, even experienced ones must consider a number of things before simply applying a technique or method. Amidst a number of considered questions depending upon the circumstance, it is important to know basic behavioral cues for alpacas and llamas, age of the animal, the history/background, to assess halter fit, any medical issues, the surroundings and observe the animal in action.

Communication Is A Two-Way Street

Alpacas and llamas are communicating with us all the time. They are keen observers of their environment and as do we all, they adapt to their environment. They are in constant communication with each other as well as with their human caretakers. I smile to consider that we humans seem much less skilled as both observers and communicators. The alpacas and llamas are quite clear. We often seem muddled and confused. Working with them, it is clear they express certain ideas about this or that and the way we are doing it. What are we expressing in return? Are our own bodies communicating anything understandable - even to ourselves? Understanding communication through our own body positioning is a key element.

(See the article "Positioning" for a complete description of this key element)

First time shearing made easy!

Before beginning, observe, ask questions and think through a possible approach and how best to communicate that through your own body. If using positioning and the alpaca or llama will not balance when you are in the normal balance position, use your intuition. often a step forward or a step backward will be the comfortable balance point for that animal. Have you deviated from the stated place to be for balance between you and your animal? Yes, you have. Was it wrong to do so? Absolutely not! It is important we honor our own knowledge in working with basic training approaches and feel free to alter them if needed.

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