Is a Mini Pig the Right Animal for Your Family?
ith mini pigs not being traditional pets there is a lot of misinformation circulating the internet. Size is a large misconception, with people claiming unrealistic sizes such as 20, 30 or 40 pound pigs. With data provided through the American Mini pig Association, it has been proven that there is no healthy mature (5+ years old) mini pig under 60 pounds. For more information on what to expect for the size of a mini pig, please see our mini pig size page.
With mini pigs becoming more popular family pets across Canada and the United States the discussion around behaviour and training has been a hot topic. Many people compare the required training and the pig’s behaviour similar to that of a dog. This method of thinking is not the most comparable for factual expectations of a mini pet pig. Mini pigs are a lifelong commitment of training. They are extremely intelligent animals who thrive on consistent training. In comparison to most dogs, the basis of training most dogs is completed throughout puppy hood but with a pig the intensity of the training is consistent into their elder years.
With every animal the success of the animal starts with the understanding of the species. Pigs are prey animals which means they are very low on the “food chain”. Due to this they are often skittish and shy of new settings and/or experiences. The first step to training a mini pig is encouraging them to feel comfortable with yourself and your family. Encouragement for a trusting relationship can be done through the use of food and/or treats as well as through providing a smaller environment for the piglet. By providing a smaller area for the piglet it will prohibit the piglet from having areas to hide from you. The area provided should be large enough for you to sit in with the piglet. An ideal set up would include a secure pen with a bed, litter and drinking/eating area.
Through the transition of moving to their new home the piglet may show signs of being fearful. With the fact that they are prey animals it is important to remember it’s going to take time for the piglet to develop a trusting bond with their new family members. You will start to notice your pig forming a trusting relationship with you when he hears your voice and he starts to whimper soft grunts back to you. At this time he will have an alert expression on his face with erect ears and wide eyes. As this bond begins to develop he will move towards you at the sound of your voice. Offering a food reward will encourage the positive behaviour of moving towards you. It is very important to remember to move slowly around the pig until they become comfortable with you. Sudden movements will instill fear and the pig would retreat from you or coward and try to hide.
When working with young piglets it is important to remember they are often skittish when they first meet you therefore, fast or sudden movements may startle them. Once you have worked at developing the bond with your mini pig the training does not stop there! That was only the beginning! Training is lifelong with a mini pig. To ensure success with your pig you must be able to offer him challenges that will foster stimulation of the brain. Pigs become bored easily and when they are, often times they become destructive. This is one of the largest reasons why mini pigs are rehomed. For success with your mini pig, keep them busy and engaged through various activities. Don't forget to provide ample time for rooting!
When first bringing your piglet home it is important to think ‘long term’. When your mini pig is an adult where do you want them to sleep? Do you want them to have access to the entire yard or just a section of it? Will he be allowed on the couch? The training you offer should be set up for a piglet the same as an adult. For example, if you do not want an adult mini pig to be sleeping every night in your bed, as a piglet you would be encouraging and training the piglet to sleep in a selected spot such as a crate or a pen rather than in your bed.
There has been many different training methods used with animals throughout the years. Keep in mind, no one method was developed for one individual animal. There are methods which have been proven to be more effective than others for specific species. Positive reward training has been found to be a very effective method if training for pigs. Pigs are very sensitive animals and look to please their owners. With the use of positive reinforcements it has been found the pig will obtain the meaning of the lesson faster rather than being punished or have the reward withheld for not completing the task as requested from the trainer. This is the method of training we promote with mini pigs.
https://positively.com/dog-training/positive-training/positive-reinforcement/
With mini pigs becoming more popular family pets across Canada and the United States the discussion around behaviour and training has been a hot topic. Many people compare the required training and the pig’s behaviour similar to that of a dog. This method of thinking is not the most comparable for factual expectations of a mini pet pig. Mini pigs are a lifelong commitment of training. They are extremely intelligent animals who thrive on consistent training. In comparison to most dogs, the basis of training most dogs is completed throughout puppy hood but with a pig the intensity of the training is consistent into their elder years.
With every animal the success of the animal starts with the understanding of the species. Pigs are prey animals which means they are very low on the “food chain”. Due to this they are often skittish and shy of new settings and/or experiences. The first step to training a mini pig is encouraging them to feel comfortable with yourself and your family. Encouragement for a trusting relationship can be done through the use of food and/or treats as well as through providing a smaller environment for the piglet. By providing a smaller area for the piglet it will prohibit the piglet from having areas to hide from you. The area provided should be large enough for you to sit in with the piglet. An ideal set up would include a secure pen with a bed, litter and drinking/eating area.
Through the transition of moving to their new home the piglet may show signs of being fearful. With the fact that they are prey animals it is important to remember it’s going to take time for the piglet to develop a trusting bond with their new family members. You will start to notice your pig forming a trusting relationship with you when he hears your voice and he starts to whimper soft grunts back to you. At this time he will have an alert expression on his face with erect ears and wide eyes. As this bond begins to develop he will move towards you at the sound of your voice. Offering a food reward will encourage the positive behaviour of moving towards you. It is very important to remember to move slowly around the pig until they become comfortable with you. Sudden movements will instill fear and the pig would retreat from you or coward and try to hide.
When working with young piglets it is important to remember they are often skittish when they first meet you therefore, fast or sudden movements may startle them. Once you have worked at developing the bond with your mini pig the training does not stop there! That was only the beginning! Training is lifelong with a mini pig. To ensure success with your pig you must be able to offer him challenges that will foster stimulation of the brain. Pigs become bored easily and when they are, often times they become destructive. This is one of the largest reasons why mini pigs are rehomed. For success with your mini pig, keep them busy and engaged through various activities. Don't forget to provide ample time for rooting!
When first bringing your piglet home it is important to think ‘long term’. When your mini pig is an adult where do you want them to sleep? Do you want them to have access to the entire yard or just a section of it? Will he be allowed on the couch? The training you offer should be set up for a piglet the same as an adult. For example, if you do not want an adult mini pig to be sleeping every night in your bed, as a piglet you would be encouraging and training the piglet to sleep in a selected spot such as a crate or a pen rather than in your bed.
There has been many different training methods used with animals throughout the years. Keep in mind, no one method was developed for one individual animal. There are methods which have been proven to be more effective than others for specific species. Positive reward training has been found to be a very effective method if training for pigs. Pigs are very sensitive animals and look to please their owners. With the use of positive reinforcements it has been found the pig will obtain the meaning of the lesson faster rather than being punished or have the reward withheld for not completing the task as requested from the trainer. This is the method of training we promote with mini pigs.
https://positively.com/dog-training/positive-training/positive-reinforcement/
