Donkey Q&A Video 3: How I start Leading a Donkey {lead training made effortless} No Drama No Trauma

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[@joesmith4222]

Hi, I live in the Sierra mountains of NorCal and do a lot of backpacking and would love to take my donkeys hiking. But the previous owner used to go down to feed them with a stick for 8 years because she was afraid of them. I taught them lots of tricks, they'll put theirs heads in my lap when I'm sitting down and follow me everywhere. They see the cat sitting in my lap and they back up and try to sit in my lap, they go to sit down but not all the way. They step up on their boxes, count to three with their hoofs on the box then take a cracker out of my mouth. But I can't get near them with a halter or a brush. If they see something other than food in my hand they'll take off. I could put both hands around their snout and they'll freeze. What do I do? Hold them by the snout and have somebody else slide the halter on them?

[@DonkeyListener]

You've got to change the way they think about the halter.. I get in halter shy donkeys all the time to train.. some take a long time.. but if you use +R training methods like I do in my halter shy video they learn to accept it ,, and once they associate the halter with good.. like rewards and things they enjoy.. haltering becomes something they look forward too.

[@terribennett8433]

How do I get my donkey to trust me after 2 years of having her? I have put pressure on and off for this period of time and I figured by now that I would see more progress!;) I spend time with pretty much everyday. And I would love to be able to put a lead on her and have her trust me more to do so. Any suggestions?;) ty!!

[@DonkeyListener]

Pressure/release doesn't work for donkeys unless you are really using heavy pressure.. and even then some donkeys still resist and just try to avoid you once they are in an open space. Try using positive reenforcement training. I have my foundation course in my shop you can purchase and follow or you can sign up for my membership group to learn. Donkeys really appreciate reward and positive training methods!

[@angeladansie4378]

It took me a long time to get my donkey Bob to trust us. He was used for roping, so lead ropes were a no-no at first. I would get him enjoying a treat & a scratch, then pull out the rope & scratch him with it in my hand without trying to put it on him. Then I started laying it across his neck, but still not trying to put the halter on. I just kept incrementally moving it closer, then eventually just put the halter on him & started leading