Education
How to educate a camel ?
Smart
Good memory
Confident
Camelids have a great learning potential and quickly adapt their behavior according to their environment. They are therefore easily domesticated.
While in some countries camelid training is still done using traditional methods, in Europe this practice has evolved to meet specific needs.
Today, camelid training mainly aims to get them accustomed to regular care and handling, to ensure the safety of breeders and people nearby, to incorporate camel-assisted therapy, tourism, and sport practices, and to teach them to load into vehicles for easy transportation.
Training typically takes around 3 years on average, but the duration, intensity, and specific tasks depend on the individual animal!
Some safety rules when interacting with a dromedary
1. Do not stand near the shoulders or in front of a camelid, and do not lie down near them.
2. Maintain a proper and respectful attitude toward the animal. It is recommended to start training with at least two handlers.
The strong tools of training
Learning methods are similar to those of horses.
It is possible to reward a camelid with food, which greatly increases its willingness. Additionally, jaw movements promote relaxation!
Associative learning, or conditioning : The animal learns to produce a behavioral response by mentally associating a stimulus with an action.
Non-associative learning, or habituation : The animal learns to produce a behavioral response after repeated experiences.
The adjustable rope halter
The halter is the most suitable tool, unlike nose clamps and rings which can injure them.
The saddle
The saddle must take into account the vertebrae and the humps.
The stick
The stick is an extension of the hand that helps the handler stay safe.
With the participation of :
