Why is training my pig so important?
You may think that teaching a mini pig to sit or stay is simply teaching them a "trick" and it's true, that is an unnatural command for a pig, so while it is a "trick", it also represents much more than that. Let's take it down to a level where everyone can understand the dynamics. Remember your own mother or father or guardian teaching you how to sit properly in a chair? Don't slough, do not put your feet in the chair, be respectful of other people's personal space and stick to your area? Those are basic foundation level types of parenting. Those things set you up for future training, but they also taught you to respect your parent/guardian as well as their property. Essentially, this same methodology can be applied to training mini pigs. You are teaching them to properly "pig", but they're learning that 1) You are the boss and command respect 2) How to behave properly 3) Positive behaviors yield positive reinforcement 4) These basic "tricks" set the tone for future training.
While you may see this as useless and time-consuming, your pig sees this as interaction with you. Pigs NEED to be trained. They only know what is taught. They can't possibly know what your expectations are unless you show them. That is YOUR job as a pig parent, to teach them how to become part of your family.
Let me add, training sessions do not need to take place for hours at a time. As a matter of fact, its nest to keep training sessions short so your pig is focused on training. Once your pig loses interest, stop the training for a bit and return to it later that day or the following day so there is no frustration involved on you or your pig's part. It's also best to train one pig at a time if you are the proud pig parent to more than one pig. Trying to simultaneously train 2 or more pigs can become competitive and not at all productive.
Do NOT reward your pig with treats unless a command has been successfully executed. Honestly, you should incorporate training in all aspects of your pigs life. They should not receive any food/treat until they have carried out a command you've given such as sit, stay or come. (including meals, there should be a routine thats consistently followed everyday)
While you may see this as useless and time-consuming, your pig sees this as interaction with you. Pigs NEED to be trained. They only know what is taught. They can't possibly know what your expectations are unless you show them. That is YOUR job as a pig parent, to teach them how to become part of your family.
Let me add, training sessions do not need to take place for hours at a time. As a matter of fact, its nest to keep training sessions short so your pig is focused on training. Once your pig loses interest, stop the training for a bit and return to it later that day or the following day so there is no frustration involved on you or your pig's part. It's also best to train one pig at a time if you are the proud pig parent to more than one pig. Trying to simultaneously train 2 or more pigs can become competitive and not at all productive.
Do NOT reward your pig with treats unless a command has been successfully executed. Honestly, you should incorporate training in all aspects of your pigs life. They should not receive any food/treat until they have carried out a command you've given such as sit, stay or come. (including meals, there should be a routine thats consistently followed everyday)
Teaching your pig to come to you when his/her name is called
This is probably the single most important command that can be taught. Pigs learn their names early on, but having them come to you when their name is called is something entirely different. You should not have to call out more than once. Matter of fact, for ALL training techniques, the command should only be given once. (unless there are extenuating circumstances like a loud background where your pig may not have heard you, then it's ok for you to repeat your command). Consistently reward your pig when he/she comes when called, at first. Gradually, the treats for coming when called needs to cease though. You should have one phrase that ALWAYS brings your pig to you such as "Come get a treat" or "Do you want a treat?", whatever the command is, use the phrase and reward consistently so your pig will always know the expectation and reward for a positive response.
Clicker training is the preferred method. There doesn't have to be treats involved when clicker training. The sound of the clicker is the reward. You don't even have to have an actual clicker to do this, you can make a sound with your mouth to simulate the sound a clicker would make.
Clicker training is the preferred method. There doesn't have to be treats involved when clicker training. The sound of the clicker is the reward. You don't even have to have an actual clicker to do this, you can make a sound with your mouth to simulate the sound a clicker would make.
The clicker training method
Clicker training is a great way to reinforce desired behaviors. The clicker needs to be associated with a positive experience, so using the clicker as the sound and immediately rewarding your pig with a treat helps your pig to understand that the clicker sound is a good thing. To begin, you will need to use the clicker for simple things your pig already knows how to do, such as come when the name is called. Click the clicker and give a treat. Repeat this several times so the sound doesn't startle your pig. Below is Oscar with his mama who shows us how to clicker train a pig. The best part of this is that she is not a professional animal trainer, she and Oscar have become YouTube sensations in pig world though by her creative methods and documenting her experiences with demonstration videos. You can follow them at http://lifewithaminipig.com.
Here is Susan Madigson from Ross Mill Farms working with an untrained pig during her annual pig seminar in Virginia. This pig had never met Susan, but quickly picked up the commands and sounds used. The sound Susan is making represents the "clicker" training sound. The second video is Susan showing the clicker training method on a pig that has been trained.
In the next video, Susan demonstrates "clicker training" again, on another pig who has some previous training, and is very well-behaved, while also providing an explanation about this effective training method.
Teaching your pig to sit on command
Teaching your pig to sit is one of the easiest commands. Naturally, when rewarded consistently, in the beginning, whether that be clicker training or a treat, pigs tend to respond well to both. Using the command "Sit", you can hold one single cheerio above your pig's head forcing their backend to literally sit in order to see or receive the treat from your hand. A pigs vision is NOT their strong suit, pigs actually have poor vision overall, so there needs to be something either food related or something auditory to reward your pig for this positive behavior. Do NOT give in and reward your pig if your pig hasn't successfully reacted appropriately to the command you gave, otherwise, training is counterproductive.
Some pigs will pretend to sit simply to receive the reward. If your pig is arthritic or having difficulty rising from the seated position, reward your pig for the heartfelt attempt.
Some pigs will pretend to sit simply to receive the reward. If your pig is arthritic or having difficulty rising from the seated position, reward your pig for the heartfelt attempt.
Teaching your pig to stay
This is a very well behaved animal. It is important to show others how great a pig can listen, even when it comes to waiting for food. Work with your pig, train your pig and your pig can learn to be patient and understanding as well. (The tent came from Ikea~ this is a question we get all the time)
Using this "stay" command during meals is the most effective time to try and enforce this. Same rules apply, do not reward your pig until the command has been executed successfully. It may take several attempts and frustration levels may reach higher limits than normal when using mealtime to train, but stay is one of the most important commands to teach your mini pig. Here is Amber White's video showing Hitchen's the pig to stay when told to do so.
Amber White talks about how they were able to teach Hitchens: "So we trained Hitchens to wait very early. We started working on it within weeks of getting him at 7 weeks old.
At first we taught him to go to his tent,as soon as he was in we put the food down. As he got consistant with that we told him to stay for a second (counting out loud). He would rush initially, but we stayed consistent, if he rushed before we said "ok" we picked the food up. Lots of screaming at the beginning. We kept extending the time to 10 seconds before saying OK. We always say "what do you do?" and he goes to his tent.
Lately he will go in automatically without us telling him. We vary the way we count and how we say it's ok. I swear pigs can count because right at 10 seconds he's ready to go! Sometimes we count outloud, sometimes silent. Sometimes we'll gesture ok, or head nod. Sometimes we make him wait 20 seconds. I'm also working on having my back turned before i say the magic word.
There are also times where i will take his food away and make him go through the whole routine again.
Training is good mental stimulation for pigs. They love to learn and show you what they can do, but you must be consistant especially with meals. I even have my pet sitter do this when she watches him.
Feel free to ask questions! Life is great with pigs if you are consistant and remain top hog!"
Using this "stay" command during meals is the most effective time to try and enforce this. Same rules apply, do not reward your pig until the command has been executed successfully. It may take several attempts and frustration levels may reach higher limits than normal when using mealtime to train, but stay is one of the most important commands to teach your mini pig. Here is Amber White's video showing Hitchen's the pig to stay when told to do so.
Amber White talks about how they were able to teach Hitchens: "So we trained Hitchens to wait very early. We started working on it within weeks of getting him at 7 weeks old.
At first we taught him to go to his tent,as soon as he was in we put the food down. As he got consistant with that we told him to stay for a second (counting out loud). He would rush initially, but we stayed consistent, if he rushed before we said "ok" we picked the food up. Lots of screaming at the beginning. We kept extending the time to 10 seconds before saying OK. We always say "what do you do?" and he goes to his tent.
Lately he will go in automatically without us telling him. We vary the way we count and how we say it's ok. I swear pigs can count because right at 10 seconds he's ready to go! Sometimes we count outloud, sometimes silent. Sometimes we'll gesture ok, or head nod. Sometimes we make him wait 20 seconds. I'm also working on having my back turned before i say the magic word.
There are also times where i will take his food away and make him go through the whole routine again.
Training is good mental stimulation for pigs. They love to learn and show you what they can do, but you must be consistant especially with meals. I even have my pet sitter do this when she watches him.
Feel free to ask questions! Life is great with pigs if you are consistant and remain top hog!"
Teaching your pig to spin
This is another easy command for pigs to learn. Using a treat as a reward, you literally hold it in your pigs view, at eye level and literally take that treat and move it around your pig. Once your pig successfully turns around (following the treat), reward your pig. It is that simple. Do this many times and then using that same "spin" command, encourage your pig to spin more than once before rewarding. Pigs need to work for food/treats. Pretty soon, your pig will walk up to you and start sitting and spinning because they quickly realize that by doing this, they get rewarded. If you are not training and your pig starts performing these maneuvers for you without being prompted, it's ok to occasionally give a treat and praise your pig for positive behavior. Echo the pig's mama shares her secrets to training in the video below.