New teamster from Oregon

[Kevin Cunningham]

@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 make the horses walk out of the barnyard to the feeder in front of me, then I make sure that they are not crowding me before I pour the grain out. With the steers, no matter inside or out, I make them yield the right of way to me

Erika, it is nice to know that someone else out there does this as well. I often feel like people judge me for “torturing” my dogs by making them wait for food till they drool, or that I am just some overly authoritarian figure. I have always believed that absolute control is necessary, maybe to a fault, as I can be hard on myself and my animals, but I know from experience that it is easier to let up control that take it back. Control of food seems to be one of the best ways to establish dominance over animals that we need to control. It is reassuring that I am doing the right thing even if most people don’t seem to approve.

[amy40]

Yep they are controlling you. Best advice is to tie them up if possible. If not you must work them away from the herd either way. They have to learn your the boss no matter what. This breed is smart your gonna have to be smarter so to speak. If they know how to follow commands with the herd they know how to away from the herd :). Good luck

[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]

@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:

[Droverone]

I wouldn’t work them where they live
I don’t work them where they live

I would not let them live with the herd one more day longer than is absolutely nessesary
I do not let them live with the herd one more day longer than is absolutely nessesary

I would tie them somewhere, anywhere and make them totally unequivocally dependent on u for everything they need! Until you see some significant progress in training for a period of time.
I do tie them somewhere, anywhere and make them totally unequivocally dependent on me for everything they need! Until you see some significant progress in training for a period of time.

I would do everything in my abilities to see to it that they get anything they need, nutritionally.
I always do everything in my abilities to see to it that they get anything they need, nutritionally.
Always
Everything

Howie and Bud and many others told me years ago the first year is so important to a calf nutritionally, you cannot replace what they loose that first year.

Additionally I believe mentally, the bond of dependancy is integral to establish the solid foundation that leads you thru the steer years and into a reliable ox or oxen……

[Author]

Posts