TTEAM with llamas

[Anonymous]

Hi Marty,
*
I just got your video 'Basic TTEAM With Llamas' I have viewed it three times already, I really enjoy it.
*
I recently bought a two-year-old female who has never been handled and her very young male*cria. The previous owner's idea of herd management was to corral them into a chute once a year for shots and a nail trim.
*
I am housing the llamas with my two goats in our barn/corral area this winter where they can get used to us and we can begin to work with them. The two-year-old seems peaceful and happy but she will not let me touch her. I can only touch her chin for a moment while we greet each other, thats it. She is fine if I touch her with the wand but as soon as my hand comes near her back or neck (even the back of my hand) her chin goes up and ears go back as she jerks away.
Should I continue with only touching her with the wand until she tolerates my hand? I have only worked TTEAM with her once so far, but I am unsure how to proceed. Do I only move on*with the catch rope, which she really doesn't mind as long as I don't hold her or touch her, after I am able to touch her.
*
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
*
I am wondering*there are*any elist discussion groups for people who do TTEAM with llamas.
*
Thank you so much for your work with these amazing animals. I look forward to attending one of your clinics someday.

[Marty McGee Bennett]

Hi, I think that is my very oldest out of date video! Are you sure that is the title or is it Getting Started with TTEAM. I am glad you found it helpful but I have come a long way... I don't use the wands in the way they were shown in that old video anymore. While the older techniques are not going to hurt anything I really would prefer that you know the new methods. I have a new book The Camelid Companion that would provide you much more detail than the old video and newer videos that would be much more helpful. I intended for the book to be the centerpiece with the videos adding. I am just in the process of creating a practitioner program.
The first thing to do is to get the book. It will really outline the program for you in a logical way so that you understand the various elements in the videos.
Once you read the book and have specific questions then I can really help you. The question that you have asked is so general there is no specific answer other than the whole book.
Cheerio,
Marty

[Marty McGee Bennett]

Hi Marty,
I LOVE your book, I am so glad you advised me to buy it!!! My once 'untouchable' llama is now a pussy cat : ) *
When I read that you wanted me to massage her dental plate I just
about chickened out. I really*wanted to skip that part,*but I*made up
my mind*to do it. My llama, Freedom,*turned out to be*very easy to
balance so I put my hand under her chin, moved with her and as soon as
she settled, I slipped my finger into position. What can I say, it
transformed our relationship. Now she allows me to touch her anytime,
anywhere. When she sees me coming with the halter and wand she walks
up to me and stops. Then I*give her a goodie as she slips into her
halter. While she stands there munching I adjust the halter and attach
the lead. This is after just*four sessions, two with the catch rope
and two without (after I realized I didn't even need it anymore). We
are working on leading this week. Even though I practiced on a human
'llama' fist my signal needed work. I have found she responds best to
the lightest possible signal. The light signal seems to make her
curious and she steps forward as if to say, did you want something? :)
*
I am amazed at the transformation, she has so much personality that I
wasn't able to see before using the methods in your book. Thank you
for giving me the confidence I needed to bring out the best in my
llama. I really hope to meet you someday at a clinic.*
Wishing you all the best, Christy

HI Christy,
Thanks so much for your wonderful email! Can I use it on my website or
other places as a testimonial? I am so pleased for you. Well done.
Please keep me posted. Did you want my e-newsletter? Did you get the
last one that listed all the clinics. It would be great to see you at
a clinic.
Keep me posted on your progress.
Marty



Yes Marty!
*
Please feel free to use/edit any communication you receive from me in whatever format seems appropriate.
*
Just in case it wasn't made clear in my previous emails, this is my first llama. Freedom and her cria were completely wild and I knew nothing about llamas. Although my lack of experience caused me not to be the ideal home,*I was the best option for them at the time.* I got a llama health book and a general llama book but they couldn't help me to UNDERSTAND my llamas. Your book is exactly what I needed. I am so thankful because now I know I can be a life-long, responsible*care giver*to these llamas. And not only that, but we love each other!
*
Yesterday was our first time leading outside of the corral area. She did great. Sure, she spent 1/3 of the time nibbling here and there and*1/3 trying to go her own way, but she also spent 1/3 of the time following behind my right shoulder with the most beautiful expression on her face! We had three or four momentary head tossings but I think she did awesome! At first I didn't think she would want to leave her 2 mo. old, but we were out for almost an hour*and still*she was having so much fun she didn't want to go back to the barn.
*
I do get the newsletter and so far the scheduled clinics wont work for me. Someday.....
*
I will keep you informed on our progress. I plan to do her toenails and shear her in the spring. I feel confident I will be able to do this without restraint.
*
I'm still in awe about the difference in my llama, amazing. She went from being 'wound up tighter that a tick' to 'happy go lucky'. Do you always see this kind of transformation so quickly? Its like she was the 'perfect llama' the whole time I just had to bring her out of 'instinct mode'. Anyway, that is how I would describe it feels using your methods.
*
Christy : )
*

I am so impressed with what you were able to do with just the book as a guide. I am so pleased that everything is going so well for you. Keep me posted.
Marty