In my experience the best thing you can do to get your calves ready is to handle them multiple times a day. Both our steers and heifers are caught and tied twice a day to be fed. Of course we have goats, chickens, guinea, dogs, and cats around as well. They are exposed to a lot of things before their first time out. As for marker training, I would look at using range cubes for treats. Most of our cattle stand when rubbed with a show stick in a soothing manner when they stand like they should. To me that would be a mark.

Good luck. I will look forward to hearing your experiences.

When it gets closer, taking them for a ride in the trailer and then back home again is a good thing to do. They learn the rocking trailer is no big deal, and they'll be home again soon.

If you have an experienced show animal to haul in the trailer with them they tend to be calmer. Main thing is just like dogs, if you are nervous, they are nervous.

Our Ag Teacher and breeder both come over from time to time and have my son set up his cattle for them to evaluate. They walk around just like a judge would and even touch them. After several visits they stand calmly. We also have family members come over and walk around just to desensitize them.

The more I type, the more similiar the training with dogs sounds. I am going to re-read Animals in Translation by Temple Grandin and see what new ideas I can take from that. Marker training cattle is an inspiring idea.

As for the stains on coat, we use bright lights shampoo from Sullivan Supply. You can order it online, just do a search for that specific product or show supplies. I have also heard of using liquid blueing. I have never tried it on animals but works well on laundry.

With these dairy babies, just getting them out of the hutch once a day and leading them to someplace where they can nibble grass and just hang out will build a relationship with the child. Calves of this age are easily freaked out and the freak out can last a lifetime. Calves w/o a mother lack confidence: this can turn into aggression
and panic if you don't take it slow.

Well, "marker training our calves" has been a challenge for sure While they are excited to get their scrub downs for wanted behaviors, treats hold no value for them. We are coming along with the speckled girl doing very well (for once my daughter can't think up a name she hasn't used yet!) The other little girl is flighty and strong. Last night she knocked Chloe over in the pen when I sneezed and in the process, the lead rope was dropped and tangled around her legs. She went for a ride across the dirt, but excaped with only a painful rope burn across the backs of her knees. I am thankful she hopped up and declared she was just fine (for her not so brave little sister's sake) She made it behind the barn before the tears came. I'm beginning to wonder if the skittish calf needs more leadership and less partnership. Tying her to the back of the 4-wheeler to help her understand lead pressure is looking more appealing with each passing week. With only a month to go, I'm a little worried she might not be ring ready at this pace.

Tie the calf to something taller than the 4-wheeler, perhaps the front bumper of a pickup, then drive slowly backwards. (The 4 wheeler is too loud and short) Stop periodically, loosen halter, brush. Go VERY SLOW, granny gear. Stop if calf falls down. Drive to a cool place, stop and brush the calf , then drive back to home. If you do this for a few days the calf will be lead broke.
I would tie both calves together,so they are almost touching, and have both girls walk along outside the calves, fake the calves out so they think the kids are leading. The calves must learn to give to pressure of the rope, and they need to see lots of things to become less panicy.
Lead breaking is do-able. An old farmer told me that calves have to be tied and led 14 times before they begin to get it. It's not how long you do it, but how many repititions, he said 14 was the magic number. Heifers are such drama queens too.
Unfortunately, it takes a lot less than 14 repititions of a break-away for calves to learn how feeble humans are- so try not to let that happen again !

Well, the show was today!Both Kid and Calves did beautifully! Willow placed First in her division and Honeysuckle placed Second in the same class. All of them acted like old pros and earned purple ribbons During the Grand Champion Class, they placed 4th and also 4th in showmanship. By that time Willow was a bit antsy and Chloe had her hands full for a bit, but remained unbeleivably calm. Will post pictures later but right now, I have to get my baby to her very first 4H Dance (Which her giant, intimidating Daddy will also be attending, much to her dismay)

ok , training puppies i get . . . you don't like what they are doing , you pick them up and put them away .

cows , even calves ?

you got my respect , huge props to your daughter .

WhooHooooo! Congrats on the wins. Now it is time to get another set of calves started........ LOL

I've seen some youtube videos of a guy that marker trains a chicken, pony, and goat (in addition to dogs) and it's pretty amazing stuff. Look for "domesticated manners" if you want to watch. I think he shows a good example of marker training