Photo: Renee Lincoln's Melvin, Sooooome Pig
Harness training your pig
Where can you get pig specific harnesses?
Pig harnesses need to be a modified A design to truly be effective. Buying a dog harness will not provide you with the leverage you need without your pig being about to back out of the harness. It's best to get a harness designed for a mini pig so you can ensure his or her safety. (Clicking on the name of the organization will take you to their site)
Pig Gear
Ross Mill Farms
Sheldons Own
This Little Pet Shop or https://facebook.com/thislittlepetshop
Pigglz or visit their easy store here https://www.etsy.com
http://www.potbellypigs.com
http://www.pigs4ever.com
http://healthypigs.easystorecreator.com/items/harnesses/list.htm
Kris Pet Creations
Pig Gear
Ross Mill Farms
Sheldons Own
This Little Pet Shop or https://facebook.com/thislittlepetshop
Pigglz or visit their easy store here https://www.etsy.com
http://www.potbellypigs.com
http://www.pigs4ever.com
http://healthypigs.easystorecreator.com/items/harnesses/list.htm
Kris Pet Creations
When you're putting the harness on, it needs to be a pleasant experience. Pigs need lots of desensitizing and distraction!! Short sessions is the key, don't stress out your pig all at once. If you know that you will need to take your pig somewhere outside of the home and your pig will need to be harnessed, it's ideal that you harness train way ahead of time. Trying to get your pig in a harness quickly probably won't be a pleasant experience for you or your pig. These things take time. Lower tones in your voice seem to cause a more positive response from pigs while high pitchy voices tend to cause a pig to be on alert. I'm not sure if this is environmental, or even just my pig, but I have noticed the way she responds is more favorably when I lower my tone a bit. So speak calmly and reassure your pig that he/she is ok throughout the process of harness training. Use simple word commands consistently while harness training such as "harness on" or "harness off" when you will be placing the harness on or taking it off so your pig knows what to expect.
How to get your pig in the harness (peacefully)
If she is hesitant to let you put anything around her, go ahead and connect the part that goes around the neck before you place it over the head. Spread some peanut butter on a cookie sheet and have it ready to put on the floor so your pig is occupied while you're attempting to get the harness completely on and adjusted. Once you get it on, keep it on and let him/her get used to it for a couple of hours. She may be vocal, she may feel "restrained" and that is what pigs don't like, the loss of control feeling. Work with her on putting it on and taking it off before you add the leash into the mix. Once you're ready to use a leash with the harness, lay down a trail of treats where you want her to go so she understands what being led is all about. I would do this in your house or backyard versus a public setting where she may be able to get out of it though until you are confident about the fit and her reaction to it. Gradually eliminate treats as you're walking and give one treat when you are finished along with verbal praise such as "good girl" or "good boy".
How to get your pig in the harness (peacefully)
If she is hesitant to let you put anything around her, go ahead and connect the part that goes around the neck before you place it over the head. Spread some peanut butter on a cookie sheet and have it ready to put on the floor so your pig is occupied while you're attempting to get the harness completely on and adjusted. Once you get it on, keep it on and let him/her get used to it for a couple of hours. She may be vocal, she may feel "restrained" and that is what pigs don't like, the loss of control feeling. Work with her on putting it on and taking it off before you add the leash into the mix. Once you're ready to use a leash with the harness, lay down a trail of treats where you want her to go so she understands what being led is all about. I would do this in your house or backyard versus a public setting where she may be able to get out of it though until you are confident about the fit and her reaction to it. Gradually eliminate treats as you're walking and give one treat when you are finished along with verbal praise such as "good girl" or "good boy".
Leading your pig with a harness and leash
Pigs have such short little legs, so they're not fast walkers...however, if you use treats to assist with leading your pig, your pig will be more likely to want to go wherever it is you'd like your pig to go knowing that there may be treats scattered every few feet. I used peanut butter cheerios and they seemed to do the trick. At first, I put them in a straight line and just held the leash while she walked the imaginary line I created with cheerios, then I would throw a couple further away and lead her to them, pretty soon, she was willing to go anywhere I went with the hopes there would be some cheerios somewhere and I always have a baggy full of them when I take her out anywhere. ALWAYS practice in a safe area before moving to a less secure area to be sure your pig will be safe.
Harness training your pig can make a difference between being able to easily get your pig somewhere to having to fight to get your pig anywhere. To clarify even further, collars shouldn't be used on pigs, they have a thick neck and a collar could easily choke a pig. The point of a harness is to not only control your pigs destination, but the reason the harness design works is because it controls your pigs movement, where your pig can go and doesn't pose a health hazard such as choking.
Pigs have such short little legs, so they're not fast walkers...however, if you use treats to assist with leading your pig, your pig will be more likely to want to go wherever it is you'd like your pig to go knowing that there may be treats scattered every few feet. I used peanut butter cheerios and they seemed to do the trick. At first, I put them in a straight line and just held the leash while she walked the imaginary line I created with cheerios, then I would throw a couple further away and lead her to them, pretty soon, she was willing to go anywhere I went with the hopes there would be some cheerios somewhere and I always have a baggy full of them when I take her out anywhere. ALWAYS practice in a safe area before moving to a less secure area to be sure your pig will be safe.
Harness training your pig can make a difference between being able to easily get your pig somewhere to having to fight to get your pig anywhere. To clarify even further, collars shouldn't be used on pigs, they have a thick neck and a collar could easily choke a pig. The point of a harness is to not only control your pigs destination, but the reason the harness design works is because it controls your pigs movement, where your pig can go and doesn't pose a health hazard such as choking.
Harness training is really a must for pigs. Once they get too heavy to carry, your only option is to crate train and/or harness train so that your pig can go to events, or to the store and even to the vet. We have a list of people/organizations that make pig specific harnesses on our recommended product page that you can look at by clicking here.
Some harnesses will come with basic instructions on how to get your pig to use the harness and others do not, so we thought it would be a good idea to give you a few pointers to get you started. Below is a video Lydia Weaver put together showing how harness training is done.
Some harnesses will come with basic instructions on how to get your pig to use the harness and others do not, so we thought it would be a good idea to give you a few pointers to get you started. Below is a video Lydia Weaver put together showing how harness training is done.
Walking your pigs on harness and leash
It may seem like a dream right now to be able to walk your pig around in the neighborhood or taking them to a local "pet friendly" store, but once trained, your pig can learn to be an agreeable walking partner and the possibilities will be endless. I suggest that you take it slow. After harness training your pig, take your pig for walks in the secure backyard to work out any kinks and to be sure the harness is fitted appropriately and it's safe to leave the protection of your home/yard prior to taking your pig out in the public where the consequences would be much different should your pig get loose.