Pig Training

[stardogs]

So we have many dog training threads, but has anyone else gotten to train pigs? I trained several for a motivation study in college, but it's been years since that. Until last week.

I got a call from a woman with a pot bellied pig that she wanted training help with. She was going to be out of town for a week and wanted to hire me to come and work with "Virginia" every day as both training and enrichment since she's used to lots of human interaction. Today was day 6 and I am pleased as punch by all the things she's doing, so I thought I'd share all my videos from our training for those who might be curious.

First, "piggie Zen", aka impulse control around food. She would mug you for food and that made training difficult. Yesterday we upped the ante to nuts because she was so awesome with veggies and I'm adding a verbal cue as a bonus "trick".

Second, recall. On day 1, V ran away from me and I could only get her back by waving food around. Today, she was running so fast to me that she skidded out on a turn!

Third, leash walking. V needs to be comfortable on leash for vet visits and traveling, but if she felt anything around her body she'd start screaming. I've taught her to stick her head into a harness and collar and we've used "silky leash" to teach her that pressure is information, not something scary.

Fourth, sit. This has been the hardest to teach - we're juuuust now getting her to more reliably give a sit when lured, but once she's in a sit, she's getting much better about settling into it instead of popping right back up!

Videos in order chronologically:

Zen and Recall, day 1
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/afwSoRBXTs8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Recall, day 4
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jHtMAcsCBUM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Recall, day 5
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QU98TFPHmu8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Leave It, day 6
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Kl7HYKCnXxQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sit, day 6
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rRrXqorBuKU?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Torch]

I can't even handle how cute that is.

 

[HayleyMarie]

That's just so awesome.

 

[Shai]

Nice lol. A family member has a pot-bellied pig...pretty sure he's better trained than their dog. She says he's also easier to train, which may be why

The only pigs I've ever trained at all were the generic American Yorkshires lol.

 

[Tazwell]

I totally enjoyed that!!

 

[Taqroy]

I've been meaning to go back and watch your videos on FB and I keep forgetting. I'm glad you posted them all over here! Virginia is adorable - especially her quick little recall. Now I want to find someone with a potbellied pig I can work with.

What's silky leash?

 

[stardogs]

Glad others are enjoying this! I'll update this thread as I can - I try to take a video every day.

Silky Leash is a technique I found via Grisha Stewart: http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/2008/10/12/silky-leash/

 

[MilliesMom]

I know, I know, training is a serious thing. But would it be insulting if I said that the recall video is the cutest darned thing I've ever seen?

 

[stardogs]

Not insulting at all - I had to take a couple of videos before I got this one because I was laughing too hard and the vid was wobbly.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

OMG!!! She is so ADORABLE! And just awesome! I've always wanted a pet pig that could live inside/be housebroken/etc.

 

[~Jessie~]

That is SO awesome! Virginia is adorable, and she looks like so much fun to work with!

 

[milos_mommy]

Cool! Thanks for sharing, she's awesome and that's such a great opportunity!

 

[Moth]

She looks like a sweetheart.

Piggies are quite bright...I bet it is too much fun to teach her things

 

[stardogs]

So her owners came back today and they are over the moon with all the things we've worked on. They want me to be a regular visitor at their house to work with her! So.COOL! Hopefully this means we can teach even more fun things, like tricks!