How to Catch a Goat

Occasionally, you may need to catch a goat to administer medication, tend to a wound, move the goat or milk it. Generally, dairy goats will be easier to catch because they are used to being handled, but with a little work, you can catch any goat that you need to.

Instructions

    • 1

      Spend time with your goat to get him used to you. When you first introduce a new goat to your herd, it may be skittish and afraid. By letting the goat know that you're not going to hurt it and that good things come when you're around, you'll have an easier time later on.

    • 2

      Groom and pet your goat. You can give your goat a treat while you do this. Getting your pet used to your touch will allow you to catch your goat later.

    • 3

      Lure the goat to you with food or items that make the goat curious. You can go about your regular routine and just wait until the goat comes close enough for you to grab. By not deviating too much from what the goat is used to, you won't alarm her.

    • 4

      Keep the number of people trying to catch the goat small. Large numbers of people chasing a goat around will only cause the goat to panic and feel like he is under attack.

    • 5

      Run the goat through a chute. Chutes are often used by farmers and ranchers to catch cattle and other livestock. You can slowly decrease the area that they are in with fences or gates, get them one by one through the chute and release them into another area.

    • 6

      Put a dog collar around the goat's neck to help you hold on to him if you need to give shots and don't have horns to hold on to. This will often be easier if your goats are used to being approached and handled.