LUKE
After the goats came, actually immediately after they came, my neighbor caught up to me and said the coyotes had been around the night before. I confidently said, "I have a six foot fence." She smiled and said, "That won't keep them safe."
I did some research and came up with four solutions: a donkey, an electric fence, a guard dog or a llama. We figured we would probably zap ourselves trying to put up a fence, a dog wasn't an immediate solution (besides all mine sleep on the sofa), a donkey seemed like a possibility but they don't like dogs much, so we wound up with a llama. Luke.
The day Luke arrived, the coyotes disappeared. For good. People ask me about llamas spitting and being mean. Luke will spit at the goats to get away from his food, but when I give him his shot (yes they need a monthly injection) he doesn't even blink. He's sweet, loyal and magestic. Truthfully, I am so in love with him, I can't imaine life without a llama.
After the goats came, actually immediately after they came, my neighbor caught up to me and said the coyotes had been around the night before. I confidently said, "I have a six foot fence." She smiled and said, "That won't keep them safe."
I did some research and came up with four solutions: a donkey, an electric fence, a guard dog or a llama. We figured we would probably zap ourselves trying to put up a fence, a dog wasn't an immediate solution (besides all mine sleep on the sofa), a donkey seemed like a possibility but they don't like dogs much, so we wound up with a llama. Luke.
The day Luke arrived, the coyotes disappeared. For good. People ask me about llamas spitting and being mean. Luke will spit at the goats to get away from his food, but when I give him his shot (yes they need a monthly injection) he doesn't even blink. He's sweet, loyal and magestic. Truthfully, I am so in love with him, I can't imaine life without a llama.
Learning more about llamas
When the babydoll sheep came, I purchased another llama to protect them. Bernie arrived, beautiful and majestic like Luke, but nothing like him in personality. I quickly came to realize that not all llamas were as cooperative as Luke and I was the one who needed training.
thank goodness I found GALA - www.galaonline.org.
The GALA conference really opened my eyes in understanding that owning a llama requires one to take the time to understand what a prey animal (yes they are prey animals) thinks and how they respond. Totally different than dogs. I was fortunate enough to spend a day training with John Mallon (known inside GALA as the llama whisperer - a title well deserved). His training made me realize how easy it is to approach the handling of a llama incorrectly.
My advice on owning a llama - spend time with them at their owner's operation. Watch the owner halter them, walk them, give them basic commands. Join GALA - know your llama and the experience will be better for both of you. Keep in touch with other llama folks - they happen to be some of the nicest out there!
thank goodness I found GALA - www.galaonline.org.
The GALA conference really opened my eyes in understanding that owning a llama requires one to take the time to understand what a prey animal (yes they are prey animals) thinks and how they respond. Totally different than dogs. I was fortunate enough to spend a day training with John Mallon (known inside GALA as the llama whisperer - a title well deserved). His training made me realize how easy it is to approach the handling of a llama incorrectly.
My advice on owning a llama - spend time with them at their owner's operation. Watch the owner halter them, walk them, give them basic commands. Join GALA - know your llama and the experience will be better for both of you. Keep in touch with other llama folks - they happen to be some of the nicest out there!