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Various articles by Katharine Thompson
Alpaca Tips, or How to Make Friends with Your Alpacas
The following is a side bar to an article, written by Katharine Thompson, entitled "Puppy Dog Blues". It appeared in the Spring 1998 Issue of Alpacas Magazine.
| | Lookin' for Mr. Good 'Paca
Trying to avoid the "Puppy Dog Blues"?
Consider your needs, then improve your interspecies social skills.
- Start by considering what alpaca ownership represents to you: are you primarily considering your financial well-being, or is this more of a lifestyle decision?
- What role is this alpaca to play; in the herd, and in your household? That "very correct" young herd sire has an important job to do producing quality cria. Don't expect him to act as a house pet as well, the roles are too contradictory. But your new "companion gelding" could easily act as "class clown" and "trailer buddy".
- Are you an "animal person" by nature? Do strange dogs single you out for a friendly pat, or are you the one they approach with a hostile attitude? You may not be someone who naturally communicates well with animals. This shouldn't be an impediment to camelid ownership, but perhaps you will rely on your kids, spouse, or farm manager to do the taming of individual animals.
- Don't expect love at first sight. Alpacas are intelligent; they make cognitive decisions based on cues you may not even be aware you are giving off. No one likes a date who "tries too hard". Let the relationship ripen in its own time.
- Imported vs. domestic. If you have made a high priority of the interaction this animal will have with yourself, the family, or the public, you will want to consider what the animal may have experienced in past "relationships". South American cowboys may have appropriately treated this animal as livestock, not love object. Is the domestically bred animal one of a herd of two hundred, or does she receive daily interaction from a small herd-owner?
- Teaching old dogs new tricks. Young alpacas will usually be more adaptable. That bred female may make a quicker Return-on-Investment, but her weanling is more likely to become accustomed to visits from the Girl Scout troop.
- Are you being too "task oriented"? Analyze the type of time you spend with the herd: do you drop in primarily for shots, nail-trimmings, and poop-scooping or are you spending time in the barn just "hanging out with the guys"? A neighbor of ours has coffee with his llamas every morning. No agenda, just quality time.
- Avoid "power meetings". Some personality traits valued in the business world are "no-go's" in camelid culture. Consider whether your alpaca interactions are about control, or mutual enjoyment. Mental intimidation may win negotiations, but will lose you friends in the pasture.
- Friendly Persuasion. If your appearance seems threatening to the animals, consider sitting down quietly among them for periods of time, cutting out the loud chatter, and decreasing the sudden or large motions.
- The nose knows. Alpacas have acute vision and sense of smell. If you often visit the barn straight after work or a visit to town, consider what scents may be carried on your skin and clothing. Unless accustomed to it, camelids may object to tobacco smoke, exhaust or paint fumes, and cosmetics. And if your hands reveal that you have been preparing red meat for dinner, what is your scent saying to this "prey" animal?
- A little to the left, please. Consistent with their uniqueness, not all alpacas care to be touched in the same areas. The belly, feet, and tail-area are often "hands off", but with time you may discover an area that welcomes rubs. My grey stud froths at touches to the back, but happily submits to neck strokes.
- Don't forget agistment; not everyone needs to be the primary caregiver to reap the benefits of alpaca ownership.
More Alpaca reading, by Katharine Thompson
Back copies of Alpacas Magazine may be obtained by contacting the Alpacas Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) at KENAOBA@AOL.com. Many more articles are available for free loan to AOBA members from their library.
- "You and Your Vet: Perfect Together?"
Alpacas Magazine, Spring '99
About the 'give and take' necessary to form a great owner/ vet relationship. - "What Color Is Your Sweater?"
Alpacas Magazine, Spring '00 - "I Think, Therefore I Play"
Alpacas Magazine, Summer '00 - "Quick, Her Ears are Up!"
Alpacas Magazine, '99 Herdsire Edition - "Remembering Ruidoso"
Alpacas Magazine, Winter '98 - "Patagonian Fantasy"
Alpacas International News, Vol. 2 '98 - "Alpacas in the Pasture"
New Jersey Outdoors, Fall '99 - "Cranberry Tales"
Sharing Sources, Summer, '99 - "Agisting: Alpaca Ownership Without the Land"
Alpacas Magazine, Winter, '00 | | | |
