Archives for April 2011

How to Train Your Petite Lap Giraffe (PLG)

The petite lap giraffe (PLG) demand has escalated and is now over 600,000 (and counting) partially due to the recent appearance in the commercial above.

In fact, it is a good thing that there is such a long waiting list for these mini giraffes–because getting ready to add an animal into your home is serious business.

The good news is that you can use the time your are waiting to prepare for your tiny giraffe and in doing so, become a leader in the pet parenting world where preparation, care and training make up the three foundational points.

Three Foundational Points for Petite Lap Giraffe

    Preparation for Arrival of the Little Giraffe
    Proper Care & Management of the Tiny Giraffe
    Humane Training of the Petite Giraffe

So, let’s explore what is required in each step for your foundational pet parenting skills.

Preparation for Arrival of the Little Giraffe
Preparation for the arrival of the little giraffe is the same as it is with any pet. First you have to identify the breeder and any natural history about the animal and its natural environment.

Not much is known about the origin of this adorable creature and Sokoblovsky Farms (Russia) is the only captive breeding facility known to exist. Established in 1908, this means that the Sokoblovky family has the distinction of being the only source for this elusive animal.

The commercial operation began after Nicolas Sokoblovsky abandoned the circus. It was reported that he absconded with Alex, the miniature giraffe (and founder animal). Over time the whole family became involved in the business of petite lap giraffe breeding in Russia just about 50 miles outside of Krasnodar.

What remains a mystery is where the female foundation animal came from since she was not identified. Also missing in the description is the native origin of this mysterious animal.

Even though a lot of information is lacking, it is possible to glean some insights from their larger cousin, the African giraffe of which there is one main species Giraffa camelopardalis with somewhere between six and nine subspecies.

Subspecies of giraffes are defined by differences in their spot (pelage) patterns, ossicones (horns) and skull shapes. Read more about giraffa. Although it is a bit long winded, you might also enjoy this podcast about giraffe subspecies.

Anyway, because this mini giraffe is a new breed on the market, not much is known about them.

However, they will need the standard animal care basics which include:

  • proper diet including healthy snacks
  • exotic animal veterinarian
  • indoor and outdoor housing
  • bedding
  • grooming supplies (bathing, eyelash maintenance, horns, hooves, coat, tail)
  • enrichment devices
  • secure transport crate
  • identification
  • public attire (harness, leash)
  • food and water recepticles
  • travel kit
  • poop vacuum, scooper, toileting box
  • PLG treadmill
  • savvy care taking professionals (should you travel or need specialty care)

Proper Care & Management of the Tiny Giraffe
When it comes to care and management, I just have to ask, is it appropriate for these animals to be housed in an apartment? (Read my opinion on exotic animal pets.)

Seriously, they are liable to snack on all things green. And just how are you going to walk them–just what harness will work?

Note: The barn water bowl featured in the giraffe cam is totally inadequate in my opinion and probably the reason that some of the captive bred animals seem to become prone to neck aches and migraines despite the breeders claim that there are no problems.

These pets are going to flood the pet industry with species specific demands for new products. Specialty items that will be needed include a long line or lead, hoof care and coat care products, that specialty bubble bath formula, proprietary treadmill, eye lash combs, proper bedding, unique pet toilet, raised feeders and watering bowls.


Above: Ivanka (Petite Lap Giraffe) During Her Weekly Bubble Bath

Then there is the specialty attire, horn covers, neck warmers, fitted harnesses, specialty seat belts and non-slip hoof covers–you get the picture.

Oh, and don’t forget the music–long rumored to soothe the savage beast, the only composer suitable is identified as Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and this makes me wonder if this specialty breeder is not disclosing the dark side of this miniature giraffe which may lead to mayhem or other abhorrent behavior if there is an absence of this vital part of his or her requirements.

I mean seriously, you don’t want your mini giraffe bashing its head or running at high speed into something in distress–right?

The high demand will also mean that the ASPCA pet poison hotline reference section is going to have to be expanded immediately to deal with the concerns and demands of the new breed.

For example, Ficus is listed as toxic to horses, cats, and dogs which should be alarming since can you really be sure it is safe if your mini giraffe decides to nibble on it?

As it has been described, the species only eats Bonsai trees but the breeder has not publicly disclosed what specific type is needed. Plus, you need to find out if there a grower in your local area or if you will need to have the product shipped in.

This also brings up the question, are there enough growers to even meet the demands of this new pet? This could be something to be alarmed about.

Plus, how do you toilet train this animal? Although the breeder indicates that they can be trained to use a box, the giraffe cam only shows them in a barn situation with hay.

In general, Giraffe poop is not one simple poop pile but a bunch of pellets. This has been described as resembling “cocoa puffs.” Their larger cousins amble while pooping, and so it can be assumed that the small giraffe cousin is likely to do the same.

Since there is not much information out there about the petite lap giraffe, it is necessary to go by the sparse information shared by the Sokoblovsky Farm information–which only discloses the following:

Petite Lap Giraffe Information

Size: Adult is 76 centimeters, baby is 15 centimeters tall. Weight is 4.5kg unless the giraffe is fat cow then 5.44kg.
Diet: Distilled water and bonsai tree leaves.
Health problems: None. They are the best.
Gestation: 420 days.
Living conditions: PLG’s love being indoors in filtered air conditioning. If they can listen to music of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov it is dream.
Grooming: a bubble bath once a week with purified water is all they need.

Humane Training of the Petite Giraffe
Now I’ve written about giraffe training before and so I want to stress that learning how to train animals is not a mystery and should not be overwhelming.

You see good animal training practices are standard operating procedures. Training one animal over another requires the same skill set and techniques.

What varies is the understanding of the particular species or breed and then identifying the specific social style your particular pet exhibits. This is what helps dictate how you apply those techniques.

Also, if you are using archaic techniques popular in the domestic animal training world–get over it. You need to step into the modern art and science of animal training instead.

Using force, harmful or painful devices is passé and will only create a problem for this sensitive and delicate creature that is about to enter life in the human world.

Now that I think about it, this is a good time to point out some of the differences between domestic and wild animals because the domestication process and selective breeding results in more amiable behavior (and adaptations) for living with man.

Wild creatures, on the other hand, tend to be wired for survival and to take advantage of any weaknesses or inconsistencies and are more sensitive to the environment.

Since your little giraffe will be a blend of the two (not quite domesticated and not quite wild) your training methods and care need to be cutting edge, and so the preparation and subsequent animal management is going to be tough. So you better hire me early (sign up for the waiting list) as I am sure the demand is going to be huge.

So now you have some of the information needed to help you prepare for your petite lap giraffe ownership. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them now.

Okay, okay, this has been an informational post on a totally bogus animal but a really clever marketing campaign. However the information included about preparation, care, and training for animals is valid and are steps that a good pet parent would take and so, it was a great opportunity to share it!

Ivanka Photo Credit: Sokoblovsky Farms
PLG Alert Gal (follow her on Facebook): Christie Keith

Animal Training 101: Ask, Tell, Take Action!

1, 2, 3, ask, tell, take action!Animal training is something that many people think is easy but that most people simply don’t understand.

When observing the average person’s daily mistakes when it comes to animal training, it becomes clear that the absence of good behavior from the animals usually stems from owner behavior.

Now it would be easy to say that they are too lazy to take action, simply ignorant of what to do, but in reality, a lot of it has to do with not being motivated enough to change how they live life–or to face discomfort by changing their human habits so that the animals benefit.

Most people don’t see through the lens that I see animals through because if they did, they would stop the insanity that reinforces the very crap they complain about.

My students understand the 1, 2, 3 principle. It is very simple–because it is clear and it helps with consistency over the long term.

Now you might not know what 1, 2, 3 principle is, so let me clarify.

If you have kids, or have ever been around someone who has kids, there is a counting process that communicates that the parent is setting a limit and, if that limit is ignored, there will be a consequence.

This often progresses into counting…

“One…”

“But mom…”

“TWO”

“Okay, okay…”

This works because, “THREE!” usually indicates some sort of action or consequence that is not desirable or pleasant.

It could  be a time-out or something else.

In my animal training, I change the 1, 2, 3 principle to Ask, Tell, Take Action!

Ask, Tell, Take Action!

Recently, a former client was lamenting over the fact that her animals respond to my requests almost immediately. She was shaking her head over the fact that they never do so for her.

In this case, two of her dogs would not recall from the yard into the home.

You see, the front yard is a novel experience for them and much more interesting than coming to her.

Plus, her request was lame. LOL

Seriously, she tends to wait for the dogs to give her permission on things and complies to every behavior request they make of her!

So, like many owners, she tends to let the dogs dictate the when and where of things.

For instance, she might think SHE is walking the dogs but it is the other way around since they decide when they start and stop on the walks. She will stand their for ages while they sniff rather than take the lead and move forward on the amble.

Anyway, the dogs would not come in and she professed to not know why.

So I refreshed her memory over the 1, 2, 3 rule which is this:

1. Ask
When you ask an animal in a normal tone, he or she should give eye contact or some sort of acknowledgement and begin to respond.

2. Tell
If not, the tone of voice changes to a stern, firm request. Which requires response.

3. Take Action!
If the animal does not comply with the request, an action is taken due to non-compliance. This is a consequence of some sort.

Are you average?
Now the average person will chat, chat, chat and never take action. This actually trains the animal to ignore any requests and so, they misbehave.

But the reality is that the pet owner is training the animal to misbehave!

I call it training by accident.

The dog paws at the door and gets let in.

Next, the dog is scratching up the door (and damaging it) because the response is inconsistent. It happens because the threshold of how long the dog needs to keep at it before being let in has risen–and the owner accidentally trains a longer duration of that destructive behavior.

Clarity, Consistency & Consequences
The three C’s of my animal training world are Clarity, Consistency & Consequences. I’ve written about training consistency before but that is the difference between what I do as an animal training professional and what others do.

My life is about managing and training behavior. So, when I ask for something, the animal learns that I require a response–and also that a voluntary one is better than non-compliance.

This is not because I do something terrible to the animal, quite the contrary, but they prefer to comply versus having me take action.

For example, if I ask an animal to come, my view is that it is not optional to refuse. Not to come could be life threatening at some point and I believe that a solid recall is critical.

This week, one of the dogs I know did not want to come when called. I asked, she ignored me.

I said her name, and said, “Have you lost your mind?” In THAT tone.

She looked at me, came a few steps and I praised her.

But she stopped…she clearly did not want to come in. Partial compliance?

Next, she put herself onto the ground in a “down” position.

She was communicating that she did not want to come in BUT was also showing me, through moving forward toward me and then lowering herself into a more submissive posture, that she did not want to refuse me–although she was.

The problem stems from the fact that this dog does not comply with the owners and so refusal has been heavily reinforced.

In this case, I had a number of options because I also like to give the animal the chance to comply voluntarily.

As I moved toward her, she decided it was in her best interest to come on her own–and so, she did.

What would have happened to her as a consequence?

I would have leashed her up and brought her inside.

However, I reinforce compliance and it is much nicer to get praise and rewards than it is to be marched into the house.

In the past, I’ve “walked her down” meaning, she would not come and I simply walked until she decided to come to me voluntarily.

Since she lives on a couple of acres, normally the owners give up and she gets to stay out like she desires. What she learned with me was that I will not give up like the owners and I will consistently continue until there is compliance.

It isn’t fun like with the owners who leave her to hunt or to do what she wants and she learned that it is more rewarding to comply than to refuse.

So, if you have a problem with non-compliance, try the Ask, Tell, Take Action!

In fact, make it a way of life and everyone will be much happier–and probably much safer.