I hope you will not think this is scolding you since I will be blunt here. You have gotten a lot of good advice. It sounds like this is your first experience with keeping a buck goat. It also sounds like the person you got him from did not give you any advice or instructions on how to train him. Shame on them. While you are doing a good job reading up on how to care for them, books can only help you so far. Livestock, whether kept as pets or in the field, need to have certain training. Always remember that the animal is not going to stay cute and tiny forever. Train from the beginning with that in mind and you will have a much happier relationship with your animals. They will be a pleasure to be around instead of a nuisance or a danger.
Now, this buck has become dangerous. You have 2 choices: Get rid of him or retrain him. Like everyone said - you should have started his training when he was young, and you thought he was being cute and loving. Hopefully by being forceful with him you can retrain him. Otherwise, he is dangerous and if you can't curb his behavior, you will have to dispose of him and replace him.
At this season, he is probably coming into rut which makes bucks and rams more aggressive. Rut also makes bucks and rams very stupid. Your does will start cycling soon if they haven't already. This will make him
more stupid and aggressive. (You don't mention what breed he is so I don't know if your goats are year-round or cyclical breeders.) He is over a year old so he is mature. He has learned that this behavior is acceptable and will continue to do it. Even accelerate it. Immediately separate him from the does. I don't know if this will improve his attitude, but he should not live fulltime with the does. Like all females, they will appreciate a bit of rest from the man in their midst.
First get a piece of PVC water pipe - if he is a dwarf breed you can start with 1/2" diameter, but since he is already aggressive, I would use either 3/4" or 1" PVC. Cut it about 18-24" long and use this to whack him on the side of the nose. This has the dual effect of turning his head away as he makes his run at you and also hurting his nose.
You must hurt him or it will not be effective. It is
not abuse, it is
buck mentality training. You need something of substance, not a little switch, since even if you don't want to hit him with it, the 24' pipe can be used to turn his head away so he can't reach you.
(I drill a hole about 2" from the end of the pipe and thread a piece of hay rope through. I have 3 of these which I hang in all locations where they are handy to use on any ram/buck that even looks like he is considering having a run at me. Our rams/bucks are well-behaved because we trained them from babyhood. We don't need the ram stick, but it is there for an emergency.)
Goats and sheep have a tremendous amount of power in their heads and necks. You only have to watch any National Geographic special on wild sheep battling for dominance to see the power they have. A grown ram or buck can break a man's leg with the full force of their charge. This is not something you want to experience and if you have children DO NOT let them go in the pen with him.
Now with your buck stick go in the pen and when he runs at you whack him on the nose with the pipe. You should also shout at him, wave your arms and advance on him until he backs down and leaves. You must impress on him that YOU are the herd buck. YOU are the dominant herd leader. You are bigger, meaner, and more powerful. Do this many times daily until he accepts you as the dominant leader. NEVER go in the pen without the buck stick since he will recognize when you don't have it. Once you see that he recognizes the buck stick, hide it behind your back or at your side so you can use it when he thinks he can get you without punishment.
Unfortunately, he is over a year old and already a mature buck. Even with the training, he may never be trustworthy. However, you will know better next time. Always teach kids that you are the herd boss. If you start them young you don't have to use your buck stick. Anticipate any bad habits like jumping on you, butting you, etc. This may be adorable in kids and lambs, but dangerous in adult animals.
Never turn your back on a buck, ram, bull, stallion, etc. Never make a pet out of a buck kid or ram lamb without teaching them manners. Many people have affectionate relationships with their stud animals, but they have all been taught manners and trained. Their stud animals come for petting and treats, they can enter the pens without fear, they can work with the animals, but this is the result of proper training.
I am sorry to be so blunt. Understand that I am not blaming you since you got no help from the person who sold you the goats. Our family started with dairy goats 35 years ago. We have raised calves, sheep, and market animals. We currently have 50 head of White Dorper sheep and 3 breeding rams. We don't keep any problem animals. You can be hurt accidently by an animal spooking and knocking you down, (has happened to us plenty LOL) you shouldn't keep one that is actively trying to hurt you. Hope this helps.
