Training

Training the donkey is different from training a horse.  You will learn patience and the art of positive thinking.  The key to successfully training a donkey is to look for small attempts to comply with your wishes and reward them.  There is no room for hesitation.  The donkey must be able to equate what he/she has done to some form of praise.     
         
TRAINING
1.  I have learned that some of the Pat Pirelli techniques used with horses are not as effective as those you use with a donkey.  With donkeys short frequent lessons are better than long drills.  According to Meredith  Hodge, "A horse can be mastered and controlled relatively easily; a donkey must be coerced and  persuaded to obey, never forced."

2.  The wait time for a response from a donkey is longer than that with a horse.  Don't give up to soon.  The donkey is processing what you want and then acting on it.

3.  Remember to keep your voice unintimidating. Also, always review what has been previously learned before going on to something new.

4.  Tasks must be broken down into small steps that can be taught one step at a time.  Remember, reward ften.  Never give a reward unless the donkey has successfully completed a step or task.

5.  Males tend to learn more quickly, however, they tend to become frustrated more easily.  Females take longer to train, but are more tolerant with inconsistencies.

6.  Tying them when they are young helps them immensely.  From this they learn obedience and patience.

7.  Teaching them to stand quietly is important for respect, driving, trail classes etc.

Some videos I have found helpful came from Lucky Three Ranch, Inc.

TRICKS
First, when training you should always have a halter on the donkey with the lead chain woven through the halter as it will be required in the show ring.  The lead should come out the left side of the donkeys halter and run up to the handlers glove.   Be careful not to reward when the donkey has not earned it.  He or she will quickly learn some very bad habits.  A donkey will remember what has been done to it for a life time.  They associate how they have been treated to the person.  If you are good to them they will forever remember and love you.  However, if you treat them harshly they will remember you for that as well.  They remember everything.
 

THREE FORMS OF TRAINING
Give and take. (Pull on the lead and when they take one small step you release the pressure.) Reward, Reward, Reward!!!  Use a whip with a plastic bag tied on the end. (This only works if you have not already desensitized them to plastic bags.)

HALTER CLASSES
The donkey will need to know how to walk, trot, and set up without whips, hats, etc. being used.

Leading:  When leading the donkey you should not get in front of it nor be too far behind the head.  When in front the donkey will become scared and move very slowly or not at all.  When behind the donkey will slow to wait on you.  You need to position your self to where you are at the throat of the donkey. 

Setting up:  To set the donkey up you should set up the back legs first.  You will only focus on positioning the one leg each time.  Normally the left will stay stationary and you will set up the right to meet the left (There is no reason why it must be the right leg that is moved.  You may choose to move the left, but be consistent each time.)  After the hind feet are set, align the front feet. With logical thinking you can position the donkey’s front feet by lifting the horse’s head (to shift the weight to the hindquarters) and moving the lead with straight forward or backward motions. The donkey will respond by moving the proper foot.

Trotting:  Extend the right arm forward and cluck or kiss to the donkey. The handler must wait for the donkey to take the first step before he/she starts to trot with the donkey.

Standing without moving:  This is very important both for safety and obedience.  Tying your donkey when they are young helps.  Reward them for times they are still.  When walking them, walk and stop every 10 feet and ask them to "whoa."  Teaching them to ground tie is also very helpful.