Goats are more sensitive animals than sheep or cattle. They are smarter, trickier and more curious. Domesticated goats like to climb but rarely jump. When gathering the goats they tend to drift to hilltops, if present, and will move faster than cattle or sheep. When hurried, they tend to be aggressive toward each other and harder to handle. 

In the pens they should be handled quietly. Excessive noise or aggression will disturb the animals. This is one of the reasons that women may be better handlers of goats. However, all handlers should watch the goat’s sharp horns that can injure and wound. 

Goats exhibit natural flocking behavior, and they follow the leader of the pack. There is a definite pecking order. They move or enter a pen in family groups with older females leading the way. They act on their instinct and have a good memory. They are creatures of habit and when they get familiar to certain sets of pens or handling procedures they will expect to be treated the same way every time, which makes them easier to handle. I remember when  we (my students and I) were doing our first study on copper (Cu) and goats, after a few weeks into the study, the goats would jump on the stand, by themselves, for us to give them a Cu-filled capsule every morning. 

Goats are easier to train than cattle and sheep; however, they are more sensitive and prone to stress. Even dogs may stress goats by their noise or movements. When working with goats, the more you are rushed, the longer it will take to get the job done. 

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