[Alpacasite] Re: Misbehaving alpacas at shows

Hi all,

I agree with those who mentioned that showing is inherently stressful
for the alpaca (and possibly for the owner too!). The alpaca is asked
to stand still while out in the open without his/her normal herdmates
for protection while a couple of predators (aka judges) approach and
appear ready to do some horrible thing and still more predators lurk
outside the ring. You can see how the more experienced show string is
usually very quiet compared with the juvies. The older alpacas have
learned that the ring is not lethal, merely boring and a bit stressful.
When the alpacas see another acting scared they assume there is a
good reason and the whole group often gets nervous.

We help ours out prior to the show by getting them used to walking in
strange pens by themselves, having strangers approach, and we ask them
to 'assume the position' for fiber handling and checking teeth from the
time they are tiny. Even still, the calmest alpaca can get rattled in
the show situation. Much of the answer is in the handler's response -
if you can stay calm and indicate all is well, it goes a long way
toward keeping your alpaca from really acting up. The main thing, I
think, is to realize how much we are asking of the alpaca that is
counter to its normal preferences, and to stay cool if they don't
behave perfectly.

Happy showing!

Deb

Cloud Dancer Alpacas
Flagstaff, Arizona
Where Magic Happens!
http://www.clouddanceralpacas.com

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