young male knocked me down

[Anonymous]

Marty

Today I am a MAN.* Or should I say a MALE Llama.* I fed the animals and STROKED the youngster and petted under the chin* all the while he was SNIFFING my face.

Mother who is Pregnant was laying down about 5 feet from the 2 of us, and she is making strange MOANING noises.* SOFT AND LOW BUT DEFINIATLY making a noise..

I turned to go out of the pen or Corrall,* walked about 10 feet and sundenly found my self on the ground being hit with a force from behind.** WOW.* there is my young male standing looking at me . Hi ears weren't back just like saying "WHAT ARE YOU DOING DOWN THERE"

Well I reacted with a flair of my hand and said SHOSH out of here.* Picked up my bucket and left.


NOW
Whats going on???????* should I be wary of him from now on ,* should I keep a wand in my hand .* and ELECTRIC prod.* I don't want to take a hit like that again.

[Marty McGee Bennett]

I have been a bit concerned about the descriptions you have been giving about your young male. Llamas are herd animals and he really ought to have a group of youngsters to play with. You have been doing what many new folks do and that is being too familiar with him and encouraging (by mistake) him to be disrespectful. This is what it sounds like anyway. I suggest you read the articles about the Novice Handler Syndrome in the library. Check out the GUILD LIBRARY at http://www.camelidynamics.com/guildForum/forumdisplay.php?f=15 for more detailed resources on this.

It is really important to act quickly the more your youngster practices inappropriate behavior the more habitual and harder to change it will become. You must begin to wear a mantle of authority in the barn and behave like the leader instead of the buddy and playmate (who will later turn into the competition).

I also have an hour long audio CD that I would suggest you order and listen to that is much more detailed. How old is your young male? The article and CD both suggest a plan of action for you. Have a read and a listen and if you have questions let me know.

Don't turn your back again on this guy. A frisbee bob on the nose should back him up and get his attention.