I've had my new doe, Daphne, for a little over a month now. I've been working to gain her trust, but even after a month she's still pretty standoffish. For instance, when I take the goats out to browse, she'll stay within sight, but keeps her distance from the others. Though she loves to eat the browse, the simplest thing will cause her to bolt and run back to the pen. Once there, she'll stay until we come walking by the gate again, then she'll rejoin us. The other strange part of this is that when they're in their pen, she totally dominates the other doe. But when we're out, the opposite is true. She only really seems comfortable when she's in the goat pen.
She will stand to let you pet her, but she doesn't seek it out. I've only seen her play with my wether (who adores her and thinks she's the goat version of Jessica Rabbit) a few times. Granted, she's 6 years old, but is this normal behavior? I get the feeling she must of been penned up for most of her life. Do you think she can still come around at her age?
Replies
Remember, baby steps. She was a long time learning the behavior and it will still take a long time to unlearn it. Think of it as being in your 40s or 50s and quitting smoking or giving up chocolate - years of habit want to take over even with positive experiences.
Hold onto this piece of encouragement you have and wait for more - they will happen. The important thing is for you to be consistent so she learns she can count on you. She really does, under it all, want to be your buddy like the other goats. The walk-ups will get more and the petting will last longer. Congratulations!
Julieanne Cook said:
That's good to know. Yesterday, as if she read my post, she came up to me and let me pet her for a good amount of time. Encouraging!
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
I agree with Glenna. It can take a long time for an older doe to feel at home in a new place.
Thanks Glenna, you have a very good point when saying a month isn't much compared to 6 years. I hope I can give this girl a more natural goat life from now on.
Glenna Rose said:
Please give her time and have faith that she will come around. I suspect you are correct that she was penned most of her life. That she plays with the wether and will come out to rejoin you are both really good signs.
Her trust has apparently been lost but with time, patience and love, you will win it back. A month compared to six years is really not a very long time especially considering goats are prey animals and must instinctively be wary.