Calf whispering is the training technique we use at Mount Eerwah Park to produce our friendly, easy to handle calves. We call it ‘calf whispering’ because, as a training technique, it is just like horse whispering. A horse whisperer is a horse trainer who adopts a sympathetic view of the motives, needs, and desires of the horse, based on natural horsemanship and modern equine psychology. Training calves in the same way makes perfect sense. Training calves is simply just practising good cattle management. It makes future cattle handling easier and more enjoyable - for you and the cattle.

First and foremost we need the cow's 'permission' to handle her calf from a very young age. The relationship of trust established with the cow is of paramount importance. This must be achieved well before she is due to calve (if we haven't had the cow from birth this can be a long but necessary process). When we do have the cow's 'consent' the training begins.

We train our calves in a slow, gentle way, establishing cooperation through clear communication, understanding and trust. This involves watching and learning about the individual calf's natural instincts and behaviours. We then use these instincts and behaviours to train the calf to do the things we need it to do. 

Where We Start

From day one the most important thing we need to do is 'make friends' with the calf. We need the calf to allow us to run our hands all over it. Calves are very content and drowsy after they have suckled and like to lay half asleep in the sun. This is a perfect time to slowly approach them and make our first very gentle, soothing 'hands on' contact. We are bonding with the calf and training the calf to accept a 'full body search'. The calf learns that we are not a threat, remembers this as an enjoyable experience and quickly learns to seek us out for this contact. Being able to do this with miniature calves at a very young age is vitally important. Our miniature calves are so very small. In Queensland, Australia paralysis ticks will attach to young calves and this can be sudden and deadly. Paralysis ticks will kill small calves. If you don't want to use chemicals, being able to perform a 'full body search', from day one, is vital to the survival of the calf. The bond you form with the calf will be one you and the calf will both enjoy and benefit from for life. Training begins after you've made friends.

Mum is reassuring this little one that everything is OK - the little one is 3mths old.

The Five Basics of Training

1. Learn to ‘listen' to your calf before expecting your calf to blindly listen to you. Take note of your calf’s expressions and movements. Be aware of the look in their eyes, and where they are looking. Take note of what is happening with their ears. Watch their tail and their feet.

In nature, cattle are prey for other animals. The “herd” is essential for survival. Knowing and remembering this fact will help you to understand the way cattle think and behave. It will help you to make reasonable requests of your cattle as well.

2. Keep in mind that you are training your calf, not breaking your calf. There is a big difference. It takes longer to train than to break, but the end result is a confident partnership between the human and the animal. Being able to halter a calf within a short period of time is not magic. Establishing a relationship of trust and building upon it is where the magic lies.

3. Have a number of techniques available and keep adding to your repertoire. We call it our ‘box of tricks‘. Cattle are as individual as humans. What works for one calf may not work as well on the next. Calves that have been raised and handled well are easily trained to do most things within a few days of starting their training. Others who have barely been touched, or who have been poorly treated, can take forever before you can even attempt to halter or lead them.

4. Remember that equipment is not the key to communicating with your cattle. There is no special halter or rope that will replace time spent teaching and training. The less equipment you need the better. Use what works for you and your cattle.

5. Be firm, consistent and fair. Always. Establish yourself as the ‘herd boss’ and stay in charge - always. Calves get to do as they please most of the time, for the time that you are interacting with your calf, it needs to behave and do as you request. Calves must be constantly reminded that even gentle nudging, pushing or butting you with their heads is definitely 'not on'. As they grow there can be up to 350-400kgs behind that 'nudge' and it will not be funny. This is not about a person using force in some way -  we do not recommend force. A firm "No" in a low voice is generally enough and then withdraw the brushing or food and walk away. They soon get the message.  If a calf is handled regularly from a very young age boundaries are established easily. Firm reminders may be necessary at first but the mutual respect will come. Angry force used in an instant can set back hours of training. It can destroy trust just as fast and that can last even longer. 

Most important! A spoilt calf is like a spoilt child - only a hundred kilos heavier! For the sake of your cattle, care enough about them to make them well mannered - even when you are not around. A well mannered calf is more likely to have a good home for life. A well mannered calf, whether it grows to become a cow, a bull or a steer is much more likely to have a longer and more contented life. And let's face it - isn't that the very least we can do for them?!

Two little fluff balls enjoying a treat after a bit of parading around on the halter.

Little bull calf getting used to the halter and checking out the lead.

A little paddock pal telling the two month old heifer she is very grown up with the halter.