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By Cathy Spalding ©
www.gentlespiritllamas.com
www.gentlespiritalpacas.com

Differences Between Training Methods?

Question
I have just purchased my first 3 alpacas (intact males ages 1-3) and am studying training/handling methods. I have researched the TTeam method with Marty McGee Bennett and John Mallon's methods. How does your method compare with these?
Tina

Hi Tina,
Thanks for taking the time to send me a note. There are a number of differences between the three of us as well as similarities. I am the only one who has chosen to attend the clinics of the others and I'll do my best to explain the major points.

As you may know, we hosted the very first clinic Marty ever taught right here at our farm back in about 1988 or perhaps 1989? Marty and I then worked together for a number of years. I've also worked and co-taught with other camelid trainers. Around 1996, I studied for two years with Linda Tellington-Jones working with companion and other animals. My work with Linda was not connected with Marty. It happened during this time that I suddenly realized that in order to truly work with any animal of any species, one needed to have a good understanding of animal specific behaviors, both general to the species and specific to the particular animal -- and directly connected/linked -- how our own human interactions and responses influence. With that, it became clear for me that no method can work for every animal and every human in every circumstance every time. That brings us to probably the most significant difference between us. I do not teach nor lay claim to a specific method/best way of doing things... each has a place and time and, indeed, one or another "method" might be the most appropriate approach in a variety of situations. Rather, I teach creative and independent assessment in problem solving behavioral issues and training... understand the components and know why you have chosen a particular approach as well as why you might not feel to do something even though it has worked well in the past. Problem solving does not particularly include right and wrong answers but rather offers us a variety of possibilities to sort through for success in a specific instance.

As an example, I did private work with some folks with a very large alpaca herd. During the course of the day, we worked with 4 alpacas with serious leg issues. In assessing each animal, 2 of the 4 simply did not care to have their legs touched and most any of the specific methods offered out there for working with leg issues would likely be successful. The 3rd had had a serious leg injury. While it was long healed, he had an opinion. In this instance, it was important to consider possibilities or even create a possible way specific to his behavior and opinions. The 4th would have been a disaster creating additional problems had ANY method or approach been used. Without paying clear attention to this alpaca's behavior and positioning and assessing/understanding what he was "saying" through his behavior, it would have been easy to miss -- that for him, the kicking issues were about social crowding. He was moved to a larger area and the problem simply disappeared.

During my clinics, I do not myself normally work with even the most difficult animals -- unless, of course, it is absolutely necessary. Folks want to be able to do what I do, not see that I can do it. A participant goes into the pen (and I smile to say, as a volunteer!) while the rest of the group supports them -- everyone, altogether -- interacting, assessing and problem solving each particular issue. It is a totally safe and supportive learning environment and by supportively interacting, assessing and problem solving as a group, everyone is involved and everyone tends to gain confidence that they CAN think through and handle a great deal more than they ever thought possible. They often find themselves relieved of the guilt they’ve carried that they are -- or have been -- doing something wrong, their animals don’t like them, they don't know what they are doing, etc. It can be a pretty freeing experience and I have had a number of folks burst into tears at my clinics. Not in upset... but in a joyful relief in varying ways.

I do not use much equipment. It truly all depends... The absolute key is to understand positioning of yourself and the animal -- to understand the unspoken between one another through body language/behavior. We spend most of the first morning of the first day really getting down into that. As a result, folks seem to truly understand what is then happening out in the pen, are able to immediately adjust and are almost instantly successful -- even with difficult animals. With that understanding and success, my clinics move through a number of topics and difficulties amazingly quickly.

I believe each of us to be sincere in our approach to the training and care of alpacas and llamas. And I have a high regard for the many times we have each been able to assist folks and their animals. We have three distinctively different personalities and our training approaches vary from one another as well. I know it is important to know who we are and what we offer in order to do what fits best in your own personal world.

Probably MUCH more than you wanted to know! Again, thanks for asking and I hope this answers some of your wonderings.

With best regards,

Cathy

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