There is something about a pig...pix

[coloradochick]

I hope he goes with the flow of training and realizes that he's in a great place and not to mess it up. Little booger

 

[georgialee]

Ahhhhh! He is so cute!

 

[menageriemama]

Ohhhh the cuteness!!

 

[andbab]

I would love a spotted potbelly like him, but the prices they are asking around here are ridiculous. They are super smart so hopefully he learns quick.

 

[hearthnsoul]

I feel optimistic. He is sweet as pie I did some googling and if I tap his snout and say no he stops the nibbling. Supposedly you tap and say no and after a few times out he will just need a no. So I am working with that, that should work for the jumping up too. Both things are cutish now, but I know as he grows it will get very uncute, very quickly. I also had a thought, ok so the goats are horrified that I brought him home, but if he was not as he is with them, Appy and Flower would terrorize HIM. Appy so much more than Flower. So I think that part is good. He gets along fine with the chickens, as you can see...

Ok I am having just way too much fun with him aren't I,..this is a sickness I think

 

[biddybird]

 

[hearthnsoul]

Quote:
Have you tried googling a pig rescue?

 

[Olive Hill]

My only suggestion when you're looking for training advice is to go to pig farmers, not pet owners. Some pet owners will have good advice, I'm not saying none will. But the vast majority of the information you get from pet owners will likely be very... soft. A potbellied pig is a pig, is a pig, is a pig. Treat him as one from your very first interactions and you will fare well. Underestimate his strength, misinterpret his behavior and you'll have problems -- big problems, both literally and figuratively -- down the road. His nibbles are not play. He's testing -- and tasting -- you. If you don't object his nibbles will become bites and his bites will hurt. Even though he will stay relatively small, for swine, he will be strong. They are compact and solid.

I would not "tap" him on the nose and say no. I would pop him very firmly on the nose, hard enough to elicit a strong and startled response from him and I would yell no or squeal NO!!! loudly. When pigs get into a confrontation with one another, even a small one they are not quiet about it. Especially after it has already gotten physical with one being in another's space. There should be no need for reinforcement later, he should very quickly learn to respect your space 100% of the time. He will not dislike you for your reprimand, it will not damage your relationship. Quite the contrary it will strengthen it. Institute a zero tolerance policy and stick with it. He should not nose, nibble or push you with any part of his body. Ever. They are smart animals and he will learn very quickly. If he's pushy or misbehaves do not give him treats. Reprimand him, take the treats and leave the pen. He will learn very quickly that he is to respect you.

Good Luck! He's a cutie!

 

[redhen]

Yes, you have to be firm with them from the start...BUT not overly agressive or mean.. because they WILL remember it and hold it aganist you and be afraid of you after. And you'll never be able to do anything with them after that...the trust will be broken.
I do pop my pigs on the snout if they nibble and i say "NO!" very firmly.....AND..i have even taken a broom to Hammie once when he went after me for telling him no... I took that broom to his butt and chased him... and he went squealing to his bed... after a few minutes he came back to me..and was very gentle and i could tell he was trying to make peace.... he just needed a little tune up... a reminder that i am the boss.

They WILL try to challenge you from time to time....
You HAVE to be VERY quick and firm with them when you correct them... if they challenge you or try to side swipe at you with their teeth you pop them on the snout (so they feel it!)and shove them backward VERY hard by their shoulders.. make their front feet come off of the ground.. MAKE them retreat....
Dont you EVER retreat from them,, or they WILL remember it... they are super, super smart... ... they are the 4th smartest creatue on the planet.(way smarter than dogs..).. so... that should tell you something.
See, pigs have a pack thing..(almost like dogs)..they are herd animals.. there HAS to be a "top hog".... and it HAS to be you. Or you will have trouble with them.

P.S. .. Also.. i wanted to tell you.. when you see pigs fight in their herd... they shove each other around..they try to make the other pig back-up and give way..... thats why i say to shove them backward very hard and dont ever back down from them. Its what they understand..it works.
Again... only shove them IF they challenge you.... dont use it as training technique....
The only way that i have found to train a pig is with FOOD....lol

I love my pigs.. once you have one..its just hard to explain.. they are truly amazing and very loving, smart animals.

 

[Skyesrocket]

I have a new pot that looks a lot like your boy. I have 5 altogether. Redhen has given you very good advice. The sooner you put a stop to his bully behavior the easier it will be.
He is a cutie!