Hi I was really happy about something this morning and want to share it. I own four adult alpacas, which I bought as adults. One had been halter trained but not the other three. I watched on You Tube how the alpacas are sheared and didn't personally like the way the alpacas are handled for shearing. (Their front legs are tied together and their back legs are tied together and then their legs are stretched out as far in front and behind as they will go.) There's a point where I believe I see in the alpaca's eyes that they are in fear and pain, but they are silent about it. I watched others' videos and found some people who will shear their alpaca standing up, with scissors or hand shears, so I began a journey of training with my alpacas, to get them to the point where I could hand shear them, instead of paying someone to come and do it by force.
First I started with the one who was already halter trained in the past. He was good and sat down while I clipped away. (It took hours over several days by the way lol). Very time consuming for me - but much more comfortable and less stressful for the alpaca. The first day I'd only done his neck and tail. My kids came home and burst out laughing because he looked so comical with his skinny neck and big puffball body.
Anyway... his name is Blanket and I felt good I'd achieved with him what I needed to do and he was happy. But the other three were more challenging because I was having to get them used to me touching them in the small pen. Then putting a collar on (at first I used a dog collar with a push in clip rather than a buckle, because it was easier and faster to do up), then training to lead, then training to tie.
Yesterday I was feeling despondent and beginning to wonder if I'd have to give up and get in a professional. But this morning went out there and progressed some more and found that my time and effort had paid off. The next alpaca (Boaz) responded to the leading training and then tied up happily, and I was able to quietly begin snipping away his wool fibre.
I was so happy. I found that applying the lessons I've learned from Monty and the uni worked for the alpacas the same as they do the horses. I would touch and walk away to reward. Each day able to do a little more, gaining their trust.
So Monty's training hasn't just made the world a better place for my horses and ponies, but also my alpacas. :) :) :) :) :)
Feeling on top of the world! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) I achieved something I've never done before, something that some might have said couldn't be done or was too difficult. YES!