We have two very social dogs – Jessie, the german shepherd and Lucy, the border collie. One of the apprehensions we had before Bubbles came home was how our dogs were going to react to a goat. We just didn’t know. The dogs treat the cats gently and defer to them. They are smaller creatures that have sharp claws that cause damage to noses. They sleep together but the dogs aren’t allowed to touch the cats’ food. If a cat is drinking at a water bowl, the dogs defer until it’s finished. The dogs know the difference between our cats and other cats and they chase other cats. But a goat? Don’t know.
We introduced the goat to the dogs with a fence separating them. The dogs were curious. They wanted to smell and sniff. Since we were there, they didn’t see him as a threat or food. Once they had a good sniff, they got excited. The goat reacted differently. It was accustomed to the other dogs, not our two. It sniffed them and was calm but only while they were quiet and still. As soon as the dogs get a little boisterous, Bubbles got defensive with a head down position. He would have been threatening if his horns were full size, but at the moment he is defenceless with his budding horns and just looks cute pretending to be menacing. While researching goats, I did some reading on the horns. They are part of the goat’s skull.
It feels really odd to pat the goat on and around the head. The dogs and cats heads are soft and smooth, they feel fleshy. But the goat doesn’t appear to have the fleshy softness that the dogs and cats have, it’s head is hard and you can’t get your hand over the top because there are horns there. It’s weird and it feels weird to pat an animal that has horns.
There are a few other things that feel weird about the goat. The coat is coarse wiht thicker hair than the dogs’ but still soft. I checked him over to get used to handle him and letting him get used to me handling him. I checked his ears and they are more closed than the dogs. I’m not sure how I’ll clean them. I tried to check his teeth, but he clamped his mouth shut. While I was doing research, I came across some hoof trimming videos and just didn’t get what they were on about, but now that I’ve had a chance to see and feel them, I can see how they work and I’m sure I can look after them.
Bubbles’ first night with us was uneventful for us. I’m sure it was scary for him. We gave him some grain and left him in the shed. He cried for a while and then nothing till morning. he cries every time we leave him.
Today, we all spent some time together on the grass. The idea is to get the goat used to the dogs. He’s still timid with them and of course, as soon as he runs, the dogs chase him which frightens him and he runs. He doesn’t get far because he’s tethered. The dogs just want to play with him. They get into play bow positions with him and start to jump and skip. Silly dogs. Emma joined us on the grass too, but she took one look at the strange goat and turned back.
Last night, I had laid some hay on the shed floor. Today I removed it. He staid in the shed all day and ate hay rather than the grass so it went. We tried him on a few other things. Carrots were not as delicious as they are supposed to be. He likes bread. Lettuce is ok. He had a couple of slices so no pellets for him tonight. He is drawn to the lower branches of trees. The willow must not be good since he had it once and left it alone since. The magnolia tree is good. One of the natives is good. That’s about as much explorations into food that we did today. He loves his pellets though.
I need to do more research on how to teach him things. I need to know how to get him to come when he’s called.
OMG! Love the Bubbles adventure!!!