The Cellar - View Single Post - HELP!! I have been invaded by a Devil Goat!

staceyv · 06-27-2005, 07:59 AM

A few relevant quotes:
"Goats are herd animals, so should not be kept as solitary animals."

Goats

are social animals and enjoy the company of other goats or farm animals.

are notorious for undoing simple gate closures.

tend to respect electric fencing.

investigate everything in their environment with their mouths(!) including paperwork, clothing, jewelry, etc.

can be trained to lead, come when called, stand for shearing & milking.

are avid climbers!

may chew off the bark around trees.

It sounds like your problem is separation anxiety. With dogs, the way to prevent this is to NOT make a big deal of coming or going home. Ignore the goat for 15 minutes after you get home, ignore him for 15 minutes before you leave. Never make a big deal of leaving him alone.

He does need companionship, so don't lock him away alone, he needs to be with other animals.
Was he the only goat at his former home? He might only recognise people as members of his pack.

It looks to me like he is just behaving like a normal goat. Did you research this stuff before you decided to get a goat?

06-27-2005, 07:59 AM	#8
staceyv Lecturer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 927	A few relevant quotes: "Goats are herd animals, so should not be kept as solitary animals." Goats are social animals and enjoy the company of other goats or farm animals. are notorious for undoing simple gate closures. tend to respect electric fencing. investigate everything in their environment with their mouths(!) including paperwork, clothing, jewelry, etc. can be trained to lead, come when called, stand for shearing & milking. are avid climbers! may chew off the bark around trees. It sounds like your problem is separation anxiety. With dogs, the way to prevent this is to NOT make a big deal of coming or going home. Ignore the goat for 15 minutes after you get home, ignore him for 15 minutes before you leave. Never make a big deal of leaving him alone. He does need companionship, so don't lock him away alone, he needs to be with other animals. Was he the only goat at his former home? He might only recognise people as members of his pack. It looks to me like he is just behaving like a normal goat. Did you research this stuff before you decided to get a goat? Last edited by staceyv; 06-27-2005 at 08:05 AM.