"Words from the West"

Richard W. Galloway Photos By Rock Rabbit Photo

Training is a never-ending, ever evolving process. Is there any one "best" way to do it? That is something only you can decide for you. There are several different big name methods that have been around for years.

TTEAM training with Marty McGee is one method that many llama owners have heard about and used with good results. Her methods follow the premise that the llama has to trust you and know that you are going to do it no harm. She uses a hands on approach with different methods of massage and ways of touching the llama to help ease the tension the animal may feel. Body language is important to watch for in both the animal and the trainer. For working away from an animal she employs "wands" to touch the llama giving them room to move if they feel threatened in any way. When they find out that you are not going to keep them from moving if they want to, they calm down quickly and the road to trust is paved.

Next on the list of well known training methods would be John Mallon. The "Mallon" method has been used especially on the young cira to desensitize them making later handling processes much easier. He recommends handling them when first born and then little handling until they are weaning age. He advertises his method as being a ONE-person method that is not equipment based, with nothing to purchase. Although based out of California John offers clinics all around the country. You can get his schedule by contacting him at the numbers following this article.

Moving on we have Jim Logan and his "clicker" training. Jim uses a simple metal clicker and a target to get the llamas to follow commands. With the use of treats when they have done a specific thing right he is able to get them to first put their nose to a "target" object like a stick with a piece of card board or a fly swatter. From there, he progresses to more complex tasks like loading into a trailer on command or walking to a designated holding pen un-haltered and with out a lead. As a demonstration of his skills with llamas, he even has his llamas pick up trash off the floor and place it in a garbage can.

There are more methods and training people out there, but these three are the best known, at least on the West Coast. Is one method better or worse then another, NO. Like most things in life, you must decide for yourself which one works for you and go from there. The majority of the people I have talked to about the various methods all agreed that if you take all the classes you would still only take what suited your own style and discard the rest anyway.

Almost to a person the llama owners I know use a little of all these methods and a little of the information they get from every other llama owner they talk to at meetings or llama events. None of these methods are any good if you don't spend the time with the llamas to teach them what you expect. Each person has different requirements for their animals and will only use what is appropriate.

So, with this little tidbit of info, contact the person who seems to be teaching the type of training you could use and attend a clinic. The cost is minimal when you consider you will be using the info for the rest of your life. The main thing I want to stress with this column is to work with your llama as much as possible. The results will amaze you.

Here is the contact info: Marty McGee and TTEAM training. 500 N Guadalupe G366, Santa Fe, NM 87501 Phone and Fax. 505-983-0755 or 800-TTEAM-70. Martylama@aol.com

John Mallon, Llamas of San Diego, 19526 Rancho Ballena, Ramona, CA 90265. 619-789-7944, fax 619-789-8688 or 800-594-7254

Jim & Amy Logan, Snow Ridge Llamas, Rt. 3 box 78, Chattaroy, WA 99003. 888-332-5425 or 509-238-4975. Email is snowridge1@aol.com