Halter Training

Sheep have excellent memories so lessons can be short and spread over any number of days. In fact lambs (older sheep are much harder to train) seem to respond best when trained every other day. Each session takes about ten minutes per lamb and an average lamb will have got the idea in three sessions, a very timid lamb will take five sessions. So it's not the speediest method you'll come across but you will gain the trust of your pupil!

GETTING STARTED

First of all you have to 'swing' your lamb. They will learn that the halter will not let them go nor will it hurt if they stand still. Using a soft cotton halter tie the lamb to a rail at about head height leaving about eight inches of slack in the rope (Picture 1). The short rope prevents the lamb doing any damage to itself as it is about to jump and pull. You let the lamb go and sure enough they 'have a go', the halter tightens on their nose, which is uncomfortable (Picture 2). After a minute peel your lamb off the rail/ground and, saying reassuring things, hold them in the position you want them to adopt loosening the pull on their nose at the same time. Gently release your lamb. Usually they hold position for a few seconds and then get back to bouncing around. Repeat the repositioning, offering something delicious to eat; sheep nuts, biscuits, bits of elderberry, anything. It's usually refused but the point is made. Quickly the lamb decides the standing still option is best. As soon as they stand quiet for a little while let them go. This is what they want and it's the best reward for complying with the simple request of standing still on the end of a piece of string.

NOW WE'RE GETTING THERE!

Now she is being tied up for the third time. Get all the other lambs out of the way so that she is not distracted then sit or squat near her. Talk, offer food but most of all see if she will let you touch her head without her pulling back. Touching under the chin is easier than on top of the head. You've got to get to work, she wants to be with her mates so ten minutes of this schmaltz is enough for everyone. Let her go. When you get back from work this evening she'll probably take a titbit out of your hand when you go in the field.

She's learnt to stand still on her rope, now you are going to ask her to walk (Pictures 4-7). Go a really short distance, once round the car for example. Hold the rope and shuffle off a few paces, encourage her to follow. A little bit of pressure on the halter is O.K. but pulling hard will undo all your hard work. It really doesn't matter how slow you go, it won't take long to go once round a car will it? Once again it's so little to ask and she will soon be let go.