Animal training 

In 2022 I went to Devon college to take part in an animal training workshop where we worked with chickens, meerkats, porcupines and some farm animals. I then in 2025 did the same workshop again only this time at Paignton Zoo where we worked with baboons, a crocodile and goats! The focus was on cooperative care training and helping improve the welfare of the zoo animals by reducing the need for force & restraint. Zoo animals often have to be moved between places or have various veterinary procedures. Training the animals helps to reduce the need for force or restraint and make these potentially negative experiences as positive and stress-free for the animals as possible. 

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Specific qualifications for other animal (not dogs!) training is extremely limited! This workshop was run for dog trainers by a dog trainer and a zoo animal trainer. It was focused on bringing together the knowledge from both worlds. It was truly an amazing thing to be a part of. 

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After my workshop I was approached by a local country park who had got some new goats in the hope that the goats will be able to be taken on 'goat walks' and provide positive experiences for children and visitors. The goats had been showing some fear around the collars being put on so going for walks was a complete no at this point. 

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Well, I couldn't say no! I gathered a small team of 3 volunteers and together we started clicker training them. Each goat is unique! In session 1 we got 2/5 of the goats walking on the lead. 2 of the other goats we focused on them feeling comfortable having their collars touched and handled. And 1 goat in particular was very anxious so we just focused on helping him feel safe. 

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We used station training to give them a clear place to go to which indicates the start of training. 

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This is just the start of something so exciting! But I'm really excited about the potential future options of this and where it can go. Training is not just limited to dogs - the power of positive training applies to all animals. 

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If you'd like to discuss animal training in any form please do get in touch.