Halter training an alpaca is most effective when started from 5 – 6 months of age, whilst they are being weaned and it is best to train 2 or 3 alpacas together (you will need a second person to help you) as alpacas are very social animals and get stressed when separated from their group. Be patient and build the training up gradually. Always respect an alpaca’s space and tolerances. Some alpacas enjoy being on a halter, whereas others simply aren’t cut out for it. If you plan on walking your alpacas, castrated males are often the best candidates due to their calm and docile nature (as well as being cheaper to purchase than females).

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Remember that patience is key when handling and halter training your herd. Even if you have purchased well behaved alpacas, they need time to trust you as their new owner in their new surroundings. Always respect an alpaca’s space and tolerances. Some alpacas enjoy being on a halter, whereas others simply aren’t cut out for it and for those alpacas, it's less stressful for everyone and kinder for the alpaca to demote them from any trekking duties. 

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Use specific alpaca halters to ensure they fit correctly as alpacas are semi-obligate nasal breathers (they must be able to breathe through their nose) and and an incorrectly fitting halter can affect their ability to do this. They can be purchased from Homestead Farm Supplies. Here is a guide to sizing:

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• Small is suitable for cria aged 4 - 12 months

• Medium will fit most adults

• Large fits large males or females

• Some alpacas may need 2 sizes pre and post shearing

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12 steps to halter train your alpacas:

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1. Pen your alpacas.

2. Put the headcollar over your left arm for easy access in a moment.

3. Safely catch your alpaca (make sure you are standing on the alpaca’s left side, as that's the side the headcollar will fasten).

4. Slip the headcollar down your arm so you have the buckle/snap fastening in your left hand and the long strap in your right hand.

5. Gently put the nose hole over their muzzle. 

6. Bring the strap round the back of the neck, close to the base of the ears, and fasten. 

7. Make sure the headcollar fits properly and is not squashing the nose.

8. Leave the head collar on and leave them to eat (still enclosed in the shelter/barn) - a good opportunity for you to poo pick their field! 

9. Safely catch your alpaca again and remove the headcollar, but just pause for a moment after removing it and only release the alpaca when they are calm (to avoid teaching them to yank their head out and bolt away from you as soon as it’s off).

10. Once you have practiced the above steps multiple times, progress to clipping the leadrope on and standing with them at the trough while they eat.

11. Once you have practiced the previous step a few times, start gently applying pressure to the leadrope and release as soon as they take a step. Give them a rest for a moment and then repeat. 

12. Once your alpaca is taking a few steps inside, take a friend or two and start walking in a bigger space. Follow the same route each time so they know what to expect, but just add a little distance each time. 

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