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

Page 3

A Case In Point

As an example, I am often hired by farm and ranch owner's nation wide to do private work with them and their animals. During the course of the day at one particular large alpaca ranch, I was presented with four alpacas having serious kicking issues. Through observation and asking questions, it appeared the first two alpacas were of the more typical reaction. They simply did not care to nor were they used to having their legs touched. In this instance, a number of varied "leg" training approaches or techniques would likely be of success. The third alpaca had had a leg injury. Though it was long since healed, the trauma-drama this alpaca associated with it remained. In this instance, it was particularly important to consider this alpaca's point of view. Would it work perhaps to apply one of the "leg" training techniques? Could we work with the three other legs hoping he might be more settled by the time we got to the fourth? Would one just proceed and feel the alpaca was unreasonable - just get over it? Would it be wrong or ill advised to make modifications to a particular approach or design your own approach for this particular alpaca? What might you do? We felt this alpaca was reasonable to still hold some concern around humans handling his formally injured leg. We modified our approach in ways we hoped would work better in this instance. The fourth alpaca appeared tense and quite nervous. He kicked at everyone and everything that came near him. Our observations combined with his history, behavioral cues and his positioning provided a clear answer. Do not work with his legs at all. His kicking was a very clear response to social crowding. The solutions were to move him to a larger area, make his current area larger or reduce the number of alpaca boys in his current area. With the enlargement of his personal space, he simply stopped kicking.

Understanding Behavior, Understading Intent

Alpacas and llamas understand behavior. They must -- their survival may depend upon it. A component in understanding behavior is an understanding of intent. Intent is an aim, a purpose, or state of mind at the time of an action. Alpacas and llamas must understand behavior and intent. They must know if the puma is stalking or just passing through. They seem to possess that same understanding of intent in relationship to humans. Walking through the barn with a long 2 x 6 over my shoulder, my husband calls to me. Not thinking, I whip around to answer with that board still on my shoulder smacking two llamas. Fortunately the alpaca right there was shorter and I just clipped her ears. All three backed up somewhat blinking their eyes in disbelief. I was beside myself with apology and they never felt to leave the area. When I came through again with the next 2 x 6, you can be sure that they were on guard hoping that I would, indeed, keep my mind on what I was doing. However, everyone felt comfortable enough to continue to lay about the barn. Had I gone out to the barn with a 2 x 6 with the intent of smacking them, you can be sure they would have all left the barn in a hurry when I came back in with another board. They understand intent. I smile to add they clearly understand intent when we want to trim toenails!

Earning Their Trust

Our job is to earn the trust of our alpacas and llamas. It is not their job to blindly trust. That trust builds each day as we become more observant, more aware and remain consistent in our own behavior. They know who we are. We have shown them while we are mowing the lawn, playing with the dog or having a barbeque on the deck with friends and family. They do not observe us only when we walk into the barn or through the gate into their pasture. If your normal individual behavior is to move quickly, notice the change in your animals when you slow way down. How about those of us who normally move a bit slower? Should we rush about, somehow the herd usually feels the veterinarian is in route! When we do innocently "mess up" now and again (and we will!), it is truly ok. They know we are only human and after all, humans aren't perfect!

Previous page ....1  2  3

Wisdom is meaningless until our own experience has given it meaning.

Bergen Evans

Return to top of page