[DaveMorgan]

@dominiquer60 38894 wrote:

When I feed my animals (steers, horses, even dogs) I am the one in charge. I make my dogs sit and wait until they are released with an “OK.”

I have always done this with my dogs, but I haven’t applied to the cattle. I will now. Now I wish I would have used it with my kids :rolleyes:

[DaveMorgan]

@Droverone 38939 wrote:

No no and no!

Now is the time!

Make your mark on them while they are young! There is nothing harder to deal with than a herd sour, barn sour OX!

Go go and go! further and stay away longer!

In fact it would be better if they were completely away from anyone other than you and each other.

It’s rare that you get so many replies that fast….and they all AGREE with each other to boot. I am taking your advice as best I can for now. I am working on cross fencing and separate shelter and water, but that won’t be ready for a few weeks. I am thinking I will tie them away from the herd for a few hours a day and train them in that same area, then take them back to the herd for the night. How does that sound?

Thanks for caring enough to set me straight. I’ll report back on progress over the next couple of weeks.
Dave

[DaveMorgan]

Well, I was reminded how much I don’t know again today. I had moved our training sessions from the the sacrifice area where the rest is the herd is in the winter, to a lane on our place…thinking there would be fewer distractions without the other animals around. Today I worked with them back in the area with the rest of the herd, and they were perfect gentlemen. Started and stopped almost perfectly, didn’t crowd me much, and none of the rebellious behavior I had had when I was working them out on the lane. The lightbulb is dim, but it finally went on today…they didn’t like being away from the rest of the herd.

Have you all experienced this? A some point they will obviously have to work away from the herd, but for now I think I’ll keep them I
N their comfort zone until we get further along and they have more confidence. Make sense?

Dave

[DaveMorgan]

Thanks Kevin, Carl and oxspan, for the advice. I always like a simple solution and the pointed stick you all suggested sounds like a good one. I’ll try it today. By the way, I am still working them individually right now. Figured I’d try and teach start and stop to each alone before hooking them together. What is the best method of starting to work them together, in a yoke or with halters or collars to connect them?

Dave

[Author]

Posts