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Help is on the way! I will be doing a clinic in the
Burlington Vermont area on the 16th and 17th of
July.
• July 16-17 Brandon Vermont(Burlington area)
Two-day basics clinic for alpaca and llama
enthusiasts. www.mapleviewfarmalpacas.com Contact
Debbie Bratton by email: mvfalpacas@earthlink.net or
phone: (802)2475412
In the meantime let me offer a bit of help. First
off your little boy is not unusual and in fact it is
really better that he is a bit shy. Overly outgoing
boy babies are a potential problem that could be
serious. If you are interested in more about that I
have written a number of articles some of which are
on my website. The issue is also addressed in my
book.
Now as far as a shy baby that doesn't like to be
touched... you didn't mention what it is
specifically that he is objecting to however if he
is uncomfortable with handling you should probably
dial down your expectations and take it slower.
Avoid the trap of thinking that if you just persist
he will eventually settles down. Persist in doing
what he doesn't like and what is not working and he
will get worse not better.
Are you working with him inside a catch pen of the
correct size? Is his mother in the pen when you are
handling him? Are you catching him with a rope to
start with? Do you understand how to use the rope
to help him stay in balance? Have you been picking
him up? Many alpaca owners routinely pick new
babies up to weigh them, to show them off or just
for fun. I know it is tempting and seems harmless
enough but if you look at this practice from a baby
alpaca's point of view it must be terrifying. A
platform scale and a barn layout that allows you to
herd a baby across the scale just after his mother
is a far better arrangement.
I know you have read my book. People that come to
clinics often remark that the techniques in the book
made much more sense after attending a clinic.
Learning to handle animals is like learning any
other physical skill and there is no substitute for
hands on coaching.
There are however many role playing exercises in the
book that are designed to teach these physical
skills. If you read the book and haven't done these
exercises I would suggest doing them. These
exercises are really an important part of learning
the work and many people read them and stop
there.... so to keep you busy before July have
another read and do the exercises. My videos may
also help you to see how the physical part of the
work actually happens. I am also happy to respond
to more specific questions about what you are doing
that might be causing the problem personally.
Good luck.
Marty
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