How to Catch a Goat

Last Updated: October 1, 2024

If one of your goats has gotten loose, you may find yourself on a wild goose chase to capture your cloven-hoofed friend. Luckily, goats tend to be pretty easy to catch if you’ve got something to offer them, and you’ve undoubtedly got the wit and focus to get them back where they belong. In this article, we’ll cover everything you’ll need to do to get your goat home safe so you can go back to the work at hand.

1

Find your goat.

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Find the goat by checking hedges for hole, looking up in trees (yes, trees!), flower gardens, inside your house, down the road, over the river, etc. Goats naturally explore and can be very curious. ^{[1]
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2

Show them the grain.

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Go slow and walk towards the goat at an angle where the goat can see you and the grain bucket. Goats know where their escape routes are, and they are faster and more agile than you, so you don't want to startle it.

3

Offer the feed and grab the goat.

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As the goat goes for the food, calmly take hold of your goat. Figure out what to grab when the goat starts running. If the goat wears a collar or other such device, try that. Horns can be used as handles as well, but are not always as strong as they appear and can break. ^{[2]
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- If things go haywire, you may need to pin the goat. To pin them against a wall, place one knee in front of the shoulder blade and the other knee behind the ribs and lean into it. Ideally the head should be held up as well.

4

Tether the goat to a rope or chain.

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Once caught, the goat should be tethered to a secure object by a chain or strong rope. No fence short of one designed for a federal prison will reliably hold a goat. Tethering in most cases is pretty much the only way to go. A good fence can hold a goat if they are happy. Tethering a goat can be dangerous because they can easily strangle themselves.

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Question

What should I do if there is no wall to pin my goat against?

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I usually grab mine with one hand in front of the neck and one hand on the belly. You could try that.

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Is there any way to prevent goats from breeding?

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Keep the males and females separate, or get the animals spayed/neutered.

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My goat is called Casper, how do I teach him to respond to me calling his name when taking him for a walk round the pond?

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Goats aren't like dogs - they are far harder to train with names. It's easier to just have a positive association with the goat so they stay close by you anyway. If you really want to teach them their name, try using conditioning. If they come to you when you call, reward them with something they like, such as apples or carrots.

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Tips

Food always goes down well, but requires patience.

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It is not good to "gang up" on a goat with a bunch of people, as this will cause panic. However, it may be good to have a partner or two that can help move the goat once it has been grabbed.

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When on a lead of any kind, do not stand in front of the goat's head or all brakes will go on, you generally have to push them.

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Warnings

If the goat starts scrambling make sure your grip is strong and your hold is tough. You may be taken for a short ride, but typically, a strong hold will force the goat to do what you want it to do.

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Goat horns are sharp and serrated. Therefore, try not to get on the wrong end of them, as they will cause damage.

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While unlikely, if the goat falls over, you should be wary of the legs. They are powerful and pointy.

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If it rears, it is not good. If the goat rears taller than you are, it will aim to come down on your head. It generally becomes a game of chicken, and is one you want to avoid, especially if the goat has horns. If this happens, put your palm firmly to it's forehead, it should either come down safely or go over backwards.

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How to Catch a Goat

Steps

Find your goat.

Show them the grain.

Offer the feed and grab the goat.

Tether the goat to a rope or chain.

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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