Confidence Course

The Alpaca Confidence Course was a big hit at the 2006 Alpaca Affaire show! Designed to give ranchers a place to bring their alpacas for fun, exercise and to help calm nerves the course did its job well. Many alpacas came into the course fearful and nervous and left fifteen minutes later with a sense of confidence and self-control. The course helped people realize that training can be fun and rewarding. A major plus is that it is easy to build at home. While the Confidence Course was made for fun and training it could be used as a step in training for the competitive Obstacle Courses outlined in the Alpaca Show Book. Tiffany Miller, a Camelidynamics Practitioner and Karin Finch, Camelidynamics Handler, were on hand to explain how to get the most out of the course and answer questions on its construction. Randy Finch and Bob Bratland helped with the construction.

"The confidence course at Alpaca Affaire was very beneficial for us and our young male alpaca who went through the course. This particular alpaca has been one who has not enjoyed being in the show ring and had been very bouncy, unruly and unable to stand still for the judging. Working with Tiffany and taking him through the course really demonstrated how his high energy worked against us in the show ring. The confidence course seemed to help him focus on other things, which in turn helped him notice and respond to the handler's signals. This also helped us as handler's be more aware of the signals we are sending and our alpaca's response to those. After working with this particular alpaca in the confidence course and then taking him in the show ring the next day, he was much calmer, walked in with a nice stride and stood upright and proudly in the show ring. We definitely saw the value in walking our male through the obstacles and will use this method at home. I would like to see this at the AROW show again or any alpaca show. I think some alpacas get frustrated with halter training and in turn, we as handlers get frustrated and the whole process can quickly go downhill. This is a great way to relieve that frustration and make it a more pleasurable experience for all involved."

Nancy, Moonshadow Alpaca Ranch