How could Peter manage to draw the goats together?

The first time that Heidi goes up the mountain with Peter and the goats, we get a good portrayal of Peter’s job as a goat herd. He is described as whistling and calling to the goats, swinging his stick in the air, and chasing after them. All of these activities will cause goats to move. Whistling and calling can either draw them to the goat herd or send them running in the opposite direction if he is whistling and running at them. Swinging a stick near them will make goats run in the opposite direction. So, Peter’s actions would move the goats toward an area he chose for them. Goats are herd animals and tend to stay near each other, so once driven to a particular area they would be likely to stay and eat and interact with each other.