The Camelid Companion: Handling and Training Your Alpacas & Llamas [Paperback]

Marty McGee Bennett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 25, 2001

The definitive guide to handling, training, and managing llamas and alpacas.

Learn to be the kind of person a camelid loves to be around and still get your management job done safely and efficiently.

If you already have Marty's first book, Llama Handling and Training the TTEAM Approach,referred to by many as the "Training Bible" then you will surely want to get the new testament! This is not a revision but a totally new book. Chock full of new techniques that Marty has developed over the last 10 years you will find this book absolutely indispensable as well as lots of fun to read.

This new book has detailed information on every aspect of camelid ownership- everything from wool to weaning and herding to halter fit. Chapters on Medical Herd Management, Herd Maintenance and Husbandry guide you through everything from the birth of a baby, to coping with emergencies, to assisting your veterinarian with medical procedures (reviewed for technical accuracy by both Dr. David Anderson and Dr. LaRue Johnson). Learn the Laws of Camelidynamics. Understand how your behavior is the key to training. Learn how physics, not force can help you accomplish previously challenging tasks such as injections and toenail trimming.

Whether you have 2 llamas or 200 alpacas this book is for you.

400 pages, hundreds of illustrations. Clever icons help you navigate through every aspect of training and caring for your camelid.

At over two pounds this big book is worth its weight in gold

Editorial Reviews

Review

A book so comprehensive, so imaginative, so clever it is dubbed a classic. On 1-5 scale this books gets 5+ -- Dave Belt, Editor Alpacas Magazine

I've never seen a list of life-change events that include a Marty McGee Bennett clinic, but it should! -- Terry Duespohl Llama Breeder Willow Springs Farm Seneca PA

Marty McGee Bennett is one of the most gifted animal trainers I have ever met. -- David E. Anderson DVM MS Associate Professor Ohio State University.

Wow, More amazing than I imagined! It's easy to read, understand and with so many photos easy to follow. -- Julie Insley Rangemore Llama FarmRangemore Llama Farm

About the Author

Marty McGee Bennett brings a variety of experience and qualifications to her work with camelids, including a B.S. degree in Animal Behavior from the University of Georgia. In the years that Marty lived with llamas she also worked as a professional fiber artist, spinning, knitting and weaving primarily camelid fiber. After meeting Linda Tellington-Jones and learning of her TTEAM approach to handling animals in 1987, Marty turned her attention fulltime to training and handling camelids. Marty has conducted hundreds of clinics in North America and around the world including numerous trips to Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Her clinics, books and videos have helped thousands of llama and alpaca owners more fully understand, appreciate and enjoy this magical animal. Marty and her husband Brad, their dog Rocky and cat Toonces have recently sold their house in Santa Fe New Mexico. For the next few years they will be exploring North America in a motor home, while teaching clinics for camelid enthusiasts

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Raccoon Press (May 25, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970991606
• ISBN-13: 978-0970991607
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #480,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marty McGee Bennett's first llama jumped off the back of a pickup truck and into her heart in 1981. Since then Marty has devoted her professional life to the well being of llamas and alpacas and the education of camelid enthusiasts. Marty brings a variety of experience and qualifications to her work with camelids, including a B.S. degree in Animal Behavior. Marty's combination of TTEAM (the work developed by Linda Tellington-Jones), with the principals of balance and leverage and a second sense with both camelids and people make "Camelidynamics" the world's most popular, and enduring training/handling system for camelids.
Her clinics, books and videos have helped thousands of llama and alpaca owners more fully understand, appreciate and enjoy this magical animal. Marty's most book "The Camelid Companion" published in 2001 has received rave reviews in publications worldwide. Conducting hundreds of clinics in North America and around the world have kept Marty on the road for much of the past 25 years. Marty's work with camelids is popular with owners and veterinarians alike. She has taught the principles of animal handling to veterinarians and at veterinary schools around the county.

Most recently using the principles that work with llamas, alpacas, dogs and horses...all animals-- Marty is now helping people with their own personal animal... their bodies. With animals as inspiration Marty's newest book on weight maintenance and balance "The Problem with Weight is NOT Losing it! is helping readers understand the dynamics of maintaining a healthy weight in a way that is both simple and easy!

Marty her husband Brad and their family of four-leggeds have a farm in Bend, Oregon that is the home of the Camelidynamics Training Center and the base of operations for the Camelidynamics Guild. For more information about the guild, Marty, clinics and equipment log on to www.camelidynamics.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Camelid Book Written, April 30, 2003

By 

Audean Duespohl (Seneca, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Camelid Companion: Handling and Training Your Alpacas & Llamas (Paperback)

Whether one is a novice or a long time owner of alpacas and/or llamas, this book has something for everyone. Some of the techniques seems so simple and sensible that one wonders why it took so long for someone to tell the lama community about how to work with these wonderful creatures successfully. It is amazing how a changing your behavior will alter and improve your relationship with your animals. The books is clearly written, explicit in detail, and right on target. It is filled with vital knowledge for all alpaca and llama owners! Tired of picking up your alpacas to get to move easily? Read this book! Try the techniques outlined in this book and you will have everyone asking you why your alpaca or llama responds so well to you and your wishes! If you can not read this book and find numerous tips on "training" yourself so that your alpacas or llamas can trust you and help you become a "team", then you are holding the book upside down! A "must" for everyone who loves alpacas and llamas.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Perfect Training Book, May 15, 2002

By 

"alpacalover" (Maastricht, The Netherlands (Europe)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Camelid Companion: Handling and Training Your Alpacas & Llamas (Paperback)

This book is great. I'll try to tell you why I think so...This book tells you very much about training lamas. Almost every alpaca or llama breeder has 'problem animals.' This book will help you solve the problems.

It is not only very informative, Marty also uses humour. This will keep you reading even longer!

The book is highly priced but the book is really worth it! It counts 400 pages, full with info and pictures. As a llama or alpaca owner, it's a must have, and if you do not own lamas, this is a great way to begin learning about training and handling them!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound Training Discussions, December 22, 2003

By 

Howard T. Smith, Ph.D. (Butte, MT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Camelid Companion: Handling and Training Your Alpacas & Llamas (Paperback)

Bennett's book provides a sound psychological and behavioral theory for all of the handling or training that a llama owner needs. She describes clearly how to handle and train any llama in an effective manner. No book explains llama behavior, handling, and training better than Bennett's.
Howard T. Smith, Ph.D.