Photo: Positively Pigs

Decoding Problem Behaviors

Determining the underlying emotional state of a behavior can be difficult, but is essential in determining how those unwanted behaviors are being accidentally reinforced and for choosing the proper course of action for solving the problem. Here I’ll be breaking down some common issues and behaviors and through careful consideration and acknowledgment of the pigs’ biology, natural history, and species-specific motivators, discuss the underlying emotional states of the pigs, possible reinforcers and reasons why we might see these problem behaviors.

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Click the links below to learn more about these problem behaviors.

Spoiled Pig Syndrome
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Indoor Pigs vs Outdoor Pigs 

Single Pigs and Aggression

Aggression Towards Guests 

Age Related Aggression

Current Science & Research of Pig BehaviorIn an effort to help expand our collective knowledge of normal and abnormal pig behaviors, I will be going through relevant scientific research and reviewing it here. Fortunately, there is a lot of excellent research out there about porcine natural history and behavior that will help us better understand our pigs, and help us better our methods of working with them. 

Click the links below to learn more:

Social Organization and Resting Behaviors of Pigs

Enrichment Preferences of Isolated Pigs

Generalization Behavior in Pigs

Effects of Handling Differences on Weanling Pigs

Positively Pigs is an EXCELLENT source of information with regards to understanding about pig behaviors. Click here to go to their website in order to learn even more!

Continue to explore the training section of the website to learn more about pig specific behaviors as well. 

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