Not letting them win
August 5th 2007 23:25
When you have an alpaca in a headlock and the alpaca is thrashing about like a mad thing - let him go.
I've found that in general, women tend to handle this statement better than men. Some guys believe that by letting the animal go they will think they have won, so you should hang on and make the alpaca learn that you are in charge.
In reality, by letting him go, you are not letting him win, you are simply letting him go. An alpaca is a herd, or prey animal. Their best defence from predators (and sadly, that includes you and I) is to get away.
In any case, by the time your alpaca is thrashing about wildly, he is no longer thinking anyway, so he won’t be capable of learning anything. He has simply gone into his instinctive fright/flight mode and just needs to get away.
If you hang on, the alpaca will continue to thrash about, and because they are (despite their appearance) very strong animals, chances are, he will eventually break free and you could well be injured in the process.
I think the secret with these animals is to take things slowly, so your alpaca will stay focused on what is happening to him and can remain in control of his mind and thoughts.
So first up, loosen the grip. You should not need to use brute force to restrain an alpaca. If you have a death grip around his neck, of course he will panic and try to get away. You would do the same if someone had you by the throat.
By releasing your hold a little, you still have him - and he knows that you have him - but he probably won't panic. He’ll be thinking about what is happening – most likely wondering why, now you have him, haven’t you killed him already.
If you keep using extreme force to restrain your alpaca, all you are teaching him is that being with you is bad news, because everyone seems to get upset and hurt whenever you’re around.
You could start to find that when you enter the paddock, your alpaca will look up, see you, then turn and walk away.
If you are gentle with your alpaca and allow him to remain calm and in control of his thinking, rather than freaking out all the time, he will learn that you occasionally hold onto him, but you never hurt him.
You may start to find that when you enter the paddock, your alpaca will come running to greet you at the gate.
I've found that in general, women tend to handle this statement better than men. Some guys believe that by letting the animal go they will think they have won, so you should hang on and make the alpaca learn that you are in charge.
In reality, by letting him go, you are not letting him win, you are simply letting him go. An alpaca is a herd, or prey animal. Their best defence from predators (and sadly, that includes you and I) is to get away.
In any case, by the time your alpaca is thrashing about wildly, he is no longer thinking anyway, so he won’t be capable of learning anything. He has simply gone into his instinctive fright/flight mode and just needs to get away.
If you hang on, the alpaca will continue to thrash about, and because they are (despite their appearance) very strong animals, chances are, he will eventually break free and you could well be injured in the process.
I think the secret with these animals is to take things slowly, so your alpaca will stay focused on what is happening to him and can remain in control of his mind and thoughts.
So first up, loosen the grip. You should not need to use brute force to restrain an alpaca. If you have a death grip around his neck, of course he will panic and try to get away. You would do the same if someone had you by the throat.
By releasing your hold a little, you still have him - and he knows that you have him - but he probably won't panic. He’ll be thinking about what is happening – most likely wondering why, now you have him, haven’t you killed him already.
If you keep using extreme force to restrain your alpaca, all you are teaching him is that being with you is bad news, because everyone seems to get upset and hurt whenever you’re around.
You could start to find that when you enter the paddock, your alpaca will look up, see you, then turn and walk away.
If you are gentle with your alpaca and allow him to remain calm and in control of his thinking, rather than freaking out all the time, he will learn that you occasionally hold onto him, but you never hurt him.
You may start to find that when you enter the paddock, your alpaca will come running to greet you at the gate.
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Comment by Catherine
Natural Animals
I enjoyed this topic. Thanks
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Yes, they are amazing and it's been a big learning curve for me to care for animals whose trust you have to earn, unlike dogs who happily boost your ego everyday.
If an alpaca truly likes and trusts you, it means you really deserve it. I think maybe horses are similar in that respect.
Cheers
Rosemary.