+ T R A I N I N G / B E H AV I O R
ALPACAS HATE TO HAVE THEIR HEADS TOUCHED! ALWAYS PET THEM ON THEIR NECK AND BACK.
Taming Alpacas Learn how to interact with these magnificent herd animals written by Samantha St.Clair
LPACAS ARE UNDOUBTEDLY adorable, fluffy animals, but they are also shy and flighty. By nature, they are not outgoing, which is why if you plan to own or visit some, you should take into consideration the appropriate ways of interacting with them to make for the most rewarding time shared together.
“Another good tool is food. Alpacas will do anything for food,” Patty explained. “If you keep grain around for treats, it will make gaining their trust much easier. Food is also perfect for getting them to come to you when you need them. If they hear the grain canister shaking, they will come running.” Keeping track of their body language is another way to know if you are heading in the right direction. Spitting is one way for them to let you know they are scared. Alpacas will also give warning calls to their herd if they believe something is threatening.
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“The best way to tame an alpaca is to work with them immediately after they are born,” Patty McKonly, owner of Kleen Acres Farm, explained. “Their mothers do not tend to them after they are born, so it leaves an opportunity for you to start with handling them very early. If we are here when ours are born, we bring them into the barn to start petting and rubbing them to get them used to us. They are much friendlier when first born, so if you can, start working with them from day one.” Once a little older, introducing a halter in small steps is important to ensure they are easier to handle for shearing and vet work later. When you cannot get them young, they are much more timid, especially if their
previous home did not put time into handling them. “The philosophy with alpacas is that they will want to get away from you first. They run, they do not fight, and they startle very easily. Alpacas do not like the chaos of loud sounds and fast movements,” Patty said. So to begin, when you are around alpacas it is essential that you are calm in your movements and voice.
“Happy alpacas will hum,” Patty said. “And as long as they aren’t running away or showing any other defensive postures, you will know you are doing well with them.” While it can take alpacas some time to get used to people, and they may never be cuddly, with some patience, they are fascinating animals that are wonderful to have around. M Visit kleenacresfarm.com or call
717.471.8634 to schedule a visit to interact with and learn more about alpacas.
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