How to House Train a Miniature Goat

With the demand for unique pets on the rise, miniature goats are becoming a more viable option for some households. Also known as pygmies, miniature goats range anywhere from 40 to 70 lb. and can stand from 16 to 23 inches tall. These domestic animals can make for loving pets, but are usually not as easy to house train as other pets such as dogs. Nonetheless, employing the proper techniques should make it possible for most pet owners to successfully house train their miniature goat.

Things You'll Need

  • Raisins or corn chips for treats
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Accept that a miniature goat cannot be trained to control its feces. Unfortunately, most goats are unaware when they are eliminating feces, which make them nearly impossible to house train when it comes to this. Nonetheless, their pellets don't normally have a bad smell and are relatively easy to clean up with a broom. Training a miniature goat to urinate in an appropriate place is possible though.

    • 2

      Develop a routine for feeding and giving your miniature goat water. Since goats tend to eliminate waste directly after eating and drinking, having a schedule will help you to control when your goat urinates and defecates.

    • 3

      Take your miniature goat outside after it has finished eating and drinking. Use some type of command like "go potty" that your goat can associate with using the bathroom.

    • 4

      Wait for your goat until it eliminates whatever waste it can. Directly afterward, you should give it plenty of praise. Petting or scratching behind the ears usually works well for most goats.

    • 5

      Give your miniature goat a treat like a few raisins or corn chips once it has successfully evacuated itself. This tends to be an effective motivator and should help your goat associate defecating outside with a positive stimulus.