How to Socialize a Pet Llama

Knowing how to properly socialize a young llama, known as a cria, is instrumental in helping the animal to develop into an enjoyable companion, as well as a cooperative pack animal. There are two goals in socializing a pet llama. First, you must make the llama comfortable among humans. And second, you must teach her to respect humans as well. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Socialize Your Pet Llama

1. Do not over-handle young crias under the age of 16 months. Young llamas need to be socialized by the adult llamas in their packs before they can interact properly with human beings. Crias that are too familiar with humans will treat them as they would treat other llamas, such as spitting in their faces and using their strong necks to wrestle with them.
2. Avoid walking around a cria that is standing in your way, and walk straight through, making him be the one to move. Young llamas will often test boundaries by exhibiting defiant or aggressive behaviors. By adopting a zero tolerance policy you will socialize him more quickly.
3. Observe the adult llamas in the pack to see how they correct the behaviors of the crias, and use the same methods. Usually, this is just a gentle push. This is the best way to reduce undesirable behaviors in crias, such as bumping into you, trying to neck wrestle with you, or simply invading your space.
4. Touch the cria with your hands whenever you interact with her, teaching her that this is the normal way for humans to respond to them. Adult llamas will often resist being touched by your hands if you do not socialize them this way. Remember, however, that too much touching is a bad thing for a cria.
5. Try to avoid bending over to interact with a cria. Young llamas can interpret this as a submissive posture and act aggressively toward you. By always standing up straight, you will teach the cria to respect humans.
6. Use online resources such as the Lost Creek Llamas website to learn more about how to properly socialize your pet llama (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Training and socializing young llamas is best left to someone with at least 2 years of experience in raising and breeding llamas, or better yet, adult llamas.