Last weekend, I acquired a pair of 3-month-old Ayrshire calves. They are destined to become a working team of oxen. I have not trained oxen before, but we own a pair of fully trained animals, who are amazing. The calves, aka Nip and Tuck, had been started by the previous owner and have a small yoke.
Traditional ox training consists of using a small "goad", or whip, and teaching the animals to move away from it. The calves are not enjoying their training, which is no surprise. I had to chase them down to get a halter on them. No fun for me, either.
I first read Karen's book "Don't Shoot..." about 15 years ago and have used clicker trqining w/ dogs, so am anxious to try it w/ the calves. I have decided that I first need to develop a relationship of trust w/ them , so they are eating their sweet feed from feed pans in my lap.
I have been told that oxen should not be trained using food, because they will learn to expect it and not work, if it isn't offered. I am no cattle expert, but I am game to try this w/ the clicker.
Only thing about oxen that may complicate the picture is the part about getting them to work as a team. I am envisioning teaching them basic behaviors as individuals, but then will have to teach them to work in sync while in yoke. How am I going to utilize a clicker in that context? We'll see.
Looks like the pictorial horse training book will be a good reference for starters.
