As the calf is learning to respect the halter, you should begin brushing the calf. Be careful, as the calf will be scared and will possibly try to kick you. Brushing the animal while talking in a calm manner will do as much as anything to gentle the calf. (At first, it may be helpful to attach the brush to a stick or use a broom until the calf will let you close enough to brush him by hand.)

Fairs and stock shows require neck ties. All bulls must be tied up in the stall space with a neck rope (neck tie) and a halter. This is required to prevent an untied bull from breeding heifers that are tied up. Also, it will train your animal to stand straight in its tie-up area. So, you need to start working your bull early with the use of the neck tie.

By leaving the halter on the calf in the early stages of training and allowing it to step on the lead as it drags will help to train the calf so that when the lead rope is pulled, the calf should respond. When the rope is stepped on, the calf's head will be pulled around and pressure will be applied to its nose and chin until it stops fighting the halter. Also, this will help make your job easier as this practice will keep the nose and chin area tender enough to make handling easier in the early stage.

After your calf has learned to stand and not continually fight and pull on the halter, it will be time to train it to lead. Start out in a small pen and don't expect too much too soon. Begin by pulling the calf to one side and then the other. This pulls the calf off balance somewhat and it will naturally move around in the direction you are pulling. When the calf gives in to the halter, you should relax the strain somewhat to let it know that when it responds to your pulling, the pressure will go away. Care should be taken to never let the calf break away when being led as it will remember it and try to break loose again. Reward the calf when it responds well by brushing, petting or scratching.

After the calf has learned to lead, it is time to begin practicing show ring procedures. Begin starting, stopping, setting up its feet, and always remember to hold the calf's head up. Invite other people to drop by when you are working with your calf to help it get used to having strangers around. They should walk around the animal and touch it as will the judge and others once you arrive at a show.

Exercise and brushing should become a daily routine with you and your calf. This not only helps improve the calf's trained skills, but also helps to strengthen its feet and legs, imroves its muscle development, and increases its appetite.