4-H Goat "Potty Training" for Occasionally Going Indoors

[ClickerChick]

Hey! I'll be helping to raise a goatling or two starting as soon as they're born, sometime later this month hopefully. Mini Alpine/Nigerian Dwarf cross, so the kids will be pretty small and easy to handle.

My 4-H club, which usually deals with small animals such as poultry and rabbits, occasionally likes to bring animals to retirement homes where we can share the animals with the people there. They absolutely LOVE it, and love seeing all of the different types of animals that we bring. I would like to be able to bring my little goat to share, if possible. My question is, could I potty-train my young goat to not "go" indoors? Or a modified version of this? (like go potty on command when only outside or something) It would be nice to clean up as few messes as possible. If not, we can stick with rabbits for now. If so, can anyone give me some tips? (BTW, the goats will be living outside, only going indoors for these or other 4-H events)

Just a brainstorm idea, something fun to do with the little kid. I know people have miniature horses as therapy animals, but I'm not sure how goats can compare when "potty training." I've also heard of people putting diapers on their goats? Not sure about this idea, though. I suppose it's a good failsafe.

Thanks for any input!

 

[waddles99]

I bring my goat inside for 4H fund raisers and events a lot. You cannot unfortunately potty train them. They just go when and where they feel like it, inside or outside. They do not possess the mental capacity of dogs and cats to know where they can and cant go to the bathroom. You will have to just work with it, dont let this one thing keep you from taking your goat places, its lots of fun.

I take my goat inside places all the time and I just have people clean up the mess. Simple as that.

 

[HnkyDnkyZZFarm]

I think they actually lack the nerve to muscle ability for sphincter control.

I've read that you can pad train them for urination, but you'll still have goatie berries.

 

[cassie]

I have known one goat that was housebroken. Just one. But goat berries are not the worst of it. Goats chew on things (electrical cords, magazines, upholstery), pull on things, and climb and jump on things. I love goats but I cannot imagine having one as a house pet. Actually, I can imagine it. That is why I would never ever attempt it.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I would consider just using a diaper during the time the goat will be indoors. That seems to work the best for them.

 

[ClickerChick]

Yeah I figured that the diaper would be the best failsafe. Thanks for the info guys!

 

[codieshell]

I potty trained a baby goat I was bottling feeding she's would start screaming when she had to go she live In my house until she got to big to keep inside she was 5 mths old when I put her outside