Need help reprogramming cow! Edit, question w/pic on pg 3
Jan 18, 2015 10:12:07 GMT -5
jean, magmom, and 4 more like this
Post by zansmo on Jan 18, 2015 10:12:07 GMT -5
Jan 18, 2015 8:41:08 GMT -6 japperwoman said:
Alright, chores took an extra 45 minutes this morning but well worth the time. I strapped Cora up in the control halter while her collar was still attached to her lead in her stall. She put up no resistance She was "halter trained" in the past by me. No idea why I stopped using it. I then hooked a new lead to the control halter (ch)and wrapped that lead around a post before I unhooked her collar. I stepped up on the side rail and held the side of the ch. She backed up slowly and I gave the ch a good hard jerk. She looked up at me with big eyes but no other reaction. Repeat that two more times. I then moved the lead rope to a post further back so she could back up further out of her stall and repeated prior exercise. When I felt like she was calm I held the ch tight and high (so her nose was slightly in the air) and made her back up so she was facing the direction of the alley way to the milk parlor. We again repeated the activity where she thought she would walk forward and I jerked the ch and told her stay in my deepest voice. When she was calm I backed up and told her "walk". She walked slowly and without any behavior at all into her milk stand and stood. I told her "good". When I was done milking her, normally we just open the stand and let her make her way out the side door until we are ready for her to come in. Today I put the ch back on her (I did not leave it on her while I milked) and backed her out of the stand and walked her down the alley. I then opened the side door (which normally causes her to run out) and made her stand still while it was open to the outside. I had her stand, back up, and come back forward all with deep voice commands and jerking the ch. I then led her outside and released her from the lead when I felt like she was calm. When all the chores were done, I hooked her back on the lead and led her to her stall. There was no shoving, no speeding, no head shaking, no wild eyes. It was almost as if she remembered that I had been in charge at one time and I was again. In no way do I feel like this is over. I had my stick and had to use it on the dexter heifers nose almost a dozen times as she also charges the door when it is open. This has opened my eyes to many many mistakes I have made in just thinking I could "trust" the cows. I will keep posted on progress and set backs as they come. I will not be caught without a stick and there is no more letting the cows come and go as they please. Thank you all for your suggestions, lessons, and gentleness. So, what do you think?"
Alright, chores took an extra 45 minutes this morning but well worth the time. I strapped Cora up in the control halter while her collar was still attached to her lead in her stall. She put up no resistance She was "halter trained" in the past by me. No idea why I stopped using it. I then hooked a new lead to the control halter (ch)and wrapped that lead around a post before I unhooked her collar. I stepped up on the side rail and held the side of the ch. She backed up slowly and I gave the ch a good hard jerk. She looked up at me with big eyes but no other reaction. Repeat that two more times. I then moved the lead rope to a post further back so she could back up further out of her stall and repeated prior exercise. When I felt like she was calm I held the ch tight and high (so her nose was slightly in the air) and made her back up so she was facing the direction of the alley way to the milk parlor. We again repeated the activity where she thought she would walk forward and I jerked the ch and told her stay in my deepest voice. When she was calm I backed up and told her "walk". She walked slowly and without any behavior at all into her milk stand and stood. I told her "good". When I was done milking her, normally we just open the stand and let her make her way out the side door until we are ready for her to come in. Today I put the ch back on her (I did not leave it on her while I milked) and backed her out of the stand and walked her down the alley. I then opened the side door (which normally causes her to run out) and made her stand still while it was open to the outside. I had her stand, back up, and come back forward all with deep voice commands and jerking the ch. I then led her outside and released her from the lead when I felt like she was calm. When all the chores were done, I hooked her back on the lead and led her to her stall. There was no shoving, no speeding, no head shaking, no wild eyes. It was almost as if she remembered that I had been in charge at one time and I was again. In no way do I feel like this is over. I had my stick and had to use it on the dexter heifers nose almost a dozen times as she also charges the door when it is open. This has opened my eyes to many many mistakes I have made in just thinking I could "trust" the cows. I will keep posted on progress and set backs as they come. I will not be caught without a stick and there is no more letting the cows come and go as they please. Thank you all for your suggestions, lessons, and gentleness. So, what do you think?"
I think you are AWESOME!!
So glad you posted this, and really it has and will help so many other folks. So much good advice here.
Rinse and repeat as others have said.
I also think if she seems to remember that you were in charge, and are again, there will come a time when she tests your new routine, and you will be ready for that challenge! Do not let your guard down with her.
Great job.