[SallyintNorth]

We've been trying to halter train our ram, Elvis.  He's not too keen.  We were told not to give him treats but I think we might have to resort to this.

Good point.  Treats may be a bad idea with a pushy ram. 

[kaz]

The art of halter training is patience. The Halter (not rope as this can burn them) (soft rope type) should be put on the right way up to start with, which allows the halter to release itself.
Start with just putting the halter on & off their face, so that they get used to it. Then stand with them awhile extending the time, each time.
Walking is basically letting them go in front to start with, and if they stop, don't pull them along, either walk backwards a step or two or just push them gently at the base of the tail. It is amazing how quickly they learn how to walk on a harness even a ram.
Happy harness training, it just takes a little time & patience.

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Tazaala,
 
  thanks for the link to the site. I like the idea of a webbing headcollar made to fit sheep. I will give them a call.
 
 

[Brucklay]

Buffy - they are really good, I especially like the 'universal'. You can put the head collar on but if not clipped to a lead then it's loose over the nose and the lambs are bothered by it at all - as worn by Boyd

[Buffy the eggs layer]

I have ordered some for the ewes but wonder if I should get one for the lambs too. the babies muzzles are so tiny .
Charlotte the coloured lamb is comming for a cuddle now each time we go in and can be touched all over so she could be a candidate for the lamb halter once she is ready. Pippin is a shearling and she too likes a full body massage (who wouldnt ) so it would probably be good to try the ewe halter on her.
I plan to teach them to walk towards me in the field in exchange for a reward ( a cuddle or a snack) before I try the halters. The two older ewes will come to the bucket so they should be able to be encouraged to walk forward and I will just take my time with the others and wait until they are comfortable with contact in the field before I try anything else.
I am really looking forward to training them but dont intend to go any faster than their own pace. Will let you know how I get on,
 
 
 

[Blacksheep]

It sounds like you have the right approach, and yes headcollars or tiny foal slips that don't tighten on the nose are far better for training and also if you want them to stand tied up are safer.  The halters you can put on the sheep and leave on for a while without asking them to do anything just so they get used to the feel. I always use treats to train mine, and when they are following can then ask with a little pressure and reward any give, as soon as they understand the pressure/release and happily follow I stop the treats though otherwise they can get a bit too pushy.  I generally find once they are comfortable having a fuss from you and eating treats from your hand they will learn halter training extremely quickly, although I have quite a friendly breed anyway.  I entered a crossbred lamb into a show class yesterday which was supposed to be judged in the pen, however I had a call from the show a couple of days beforehand that I would need to halter train my ewe lamb as she is MV acc, I thought she might be harder than the pure bred Zwartbles, she has not long been weaned and had not been supplementary fed or handled, however she very quickly took to treats and was happily following me about in no time. So I had her all ready and halter trained for Saturday and they then judged her in the pen anyway, however I am sure the training makes them more confident at a show. I was very pleased with her 2nd place too!!  Good luck with yours, halter training them is great fun

[Buffy the eggs layer]

Well the halter modling session with Charlotte and Pipin was fine but Pippin got a bit worried when she pulled back and felt the pressure but soon steddied her self when I asked her to and allowed me to take it off. Bless
 Everyone comes when called now and follows me in exchange for treats. 3 out of 6 of them will come just for a cuddle and once they are being massaged they are happy to be fully checked over from tip to toe.
The lambs got dirty bottoms when they moved field so I need to dag and crovect them tomorow. That will invole taking them into the stable and it would be good to tie them up in order to deal with them but if this is too much too soon for them then we will have to hold them insted.
The webbing halters are great. I got the easifit ewe and lamb sizes as Di recomended these for Ryelands. They are light, fit well and dont pinch or rub if the girls pull back. They are fully adjustable and can be altered free of charge to meet your personal specifications. 
 
 
 

[landroverroy]

Hi Buffy - just read your post.
Will show you how to make halters from soft rope when I next see you. Or you can buy lovely soft white ones for about £2 from Hillam Feeds, near S Milford.
Best way to halter train is (as previously mentioned) to tie to something solid for a couple of hours. Give it enough slack so it can sit down and reach its food and water, and it will be quite happy. Do this for 2 or 3 days. By then the animal has learnt that it is pointless fighting the halter, but does not associate you with having made the point, and it will then happily allow you to lead it anywhere.
You can add the odd biscuit somewhere in the training if you want to ensure it has happy memories, but it won't be any better trained.