The disadvantage of buying a weanling is that a weanling would not be able to pack until he or she was three years old. At three years of age, a large standard will carry up to 80 pounds his first summer. For the older couple or a family, this eliminates having to carry any weight on their backs, with the exception of possibly a daypack for a camera and lunch. Training should begin with the breeder. A novice should expect that the donkey he or she is set to buy should be halter broke, have some training with a lead rope and have some experience loading into a trailer.
Donkeys are intelligent and forgiving of first time donkey trainers.
A training regimen essentially focuses on the bonding process and building trust. Responding to the lead rope, familiarity with pack equipment and exposure to strange sights and weird phenomenon prepare the donkey and his trainer for a safe trip into the mountains. Maligned throughout the ages for being stubborn and cantankerous, donkey trainers know that their donkey's refusal is usually born of fear. When the donkey is faced with a new sight or challenge, he stops and assesses the situation. We ascribe this characteristic to people as being cautious and prudent.