How to Leash Train a Goat

Updated on 8/24/13, Originally posted on 10/22/11

Weekly Bible Verse: Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”

Did you know that with the proper training your goat can walk on a leash just like dog?

Before leash training can begin, you need to make sure your goat is friendly and not scared of humans.  A goat that is fearful of people will not want to walk with them but will try to run the other way!

To start training, place a collar or better yet a dog harness on your goat and attach the leash (a harness will not choke the goat). Have your goat’s favorite treat in your pocket (I use a small amount of goat grain or bits of carrots).  It is best to start training in an enclosed pen that the goat has thoroughly explored.  Begin to walk and give a gentle tug on the leash.  As you do so, show the treat to your goat.  When the goat moves forward give him a treat.  Whenever the goat should resist the tug on the leash offer a treat again and only give it when the goat moves forward or stops resisting.  At first your goat may only take a few steps at a time, but with each try make your goat walk farther for the treat.

Soon your goat will be walking with you.  Next try leash training in a larger enclosed area, like a fenced in backyard.  Your goat may try to eat weeds or other plants that he walks by, but don’t let him!  Every time he tries give a gentle tug on the leash and offer a treat.  It is important for the goat to learn that there is absolutely NO grazing/weed eating when on a leash.  If your goat becomes too distracted from items in the new yard go back to the basic training and encourage your goat to move forward a few steps at a time.  If you need to go back to the other pen with less distractions, you can do that too.

When your goat can walk perfectly on the leash, remember that there are dangers when going on a walk outside of your yard.  Dogs, cars, and motorcycles will frighten a goat easily and may cause the goat to completely freak out.  If this happen to him he can slip out of a collar and run into the road and be killed.  A harness is safer and more secure.  Also, loose dogs can come out from no where and attack your goat.  I do NOT recommend taking your goat out of your yard for a walk but it can be done with more training.  Get your goat use to loud noises by using a coffee can, and fill it with items that will make loud noises when shaken.  If your goat should become fearful offer a treat and talk to the goat calmly.  When the goat has accepted the coffee can try walking your goat near a running lawn mower.  Try every noise you can think of, and see how your goat responds. Offer a treat if the goat becomes afraid to get his focus back on you and not the noise.

Remember to take training steps slowly and don’t move to the next step until the one before is mastered by your goat.  Also make sure you don’t overwork your goat.  Short daily training sessions that are 10-20 minutes long, will work better than an hour session done only once a week.  Just like God made every person different he also gave each animal its own little personality.  Some goats have a longer attention span than others and can work a little longer and some are done after 10 minutes.  God is so amazing and detailed in his creation that even two animals that look completely alike in appearance are different from each other in so many ways.