We have found that training alpacas can be different for each one as their temperament and personalities can all be different. But we do try to begin the training of each alpaca in the same way. The alpaca needs to know that every time you come to it, the reason is not that something is going to be done to the animal (i.e., vet, vaccines, haltering). They do learn commands and associations. We start slowly with an alpaca in a small area and tell the animal to "stand". When it is at a point of standing still, we praise it and stop when it moves. We will also touch the alpaca when he is standing and say "touch". Again praise is used when the alpaca stands while we are touching it. We have found that an alpaca that is aware of what is going to happen is much less skittish than one who is taken by surprise. In short time they learn what "stand" and "touch" mean and this makes it much easier to handle them. It can be a slow process, taking just a minute or so in the beginning. But once they see that after you have touched them and handled them and you walk away without doing anything "bad" to them, they don't worry so much the next time you come towards them. Trust is very important and makes everything much easier. By training alpacas in this way, we have been able to handle vet check ups without the need to halter anyone and not having to run around pens trying to "catch" them.

Debra & Glenn Johnson
Chee Chee Mamook Farm

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