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The Pot-Belled pig can be the most challenging of pets, yet can provide more satisfaction than, oh say, a lazy Persian cat or a wee, yappy Chihuaha.
Pigs are considered the fourth smartest animal in the world. Pot-Bellied pigs confirm this contention. They are at least as sly as cats and as trainable as dogs. They are great companions and they run your household; not exactly like a butler, but they do have presence.
The Pot-Bellied pig is called a miniature, relatively speaking. That is to say, the average market pig can run from 700 to 1,000 pounds. The wee pot-bellied tops out between 120 and 150, but sometimes can run to 200 pounds, Despite this, they aren't near foal size, like a Great Dane. Rather, they are stocky, often hardly more than three feet long from their snout to the base of their tales.
Specific to house training are Potty training; House and Yard Space; and Other Trivia:
Potty Training
1. Potty training is made easy by the pig; he prefers one spot. Choose it well, because changing spots, as you can do with a cat's litter box, doesn't sit well with the pig. Softwood shavings, e.g., pine, are recommended, in a space big enough for the pig to turn around. Make sure the space of choice will accommodate a full grown pig.
2. Don't be overly fastidious. When cleaning the litter area, leave a dropping or two to remind the pig that "this is the place."
3. Initially, keep the pig confined to the litter area with his living area adjacent to it.
4. Training may be time consuming for a week, sometimes less. Every two hours, three at most, lead your pig to the litter area. It may do nothing but snuffle about but will stay dry. However, it will learn to recognize where to go when it has to go.
5. Pigs are smart; even piglets. Do not reward good potty behavior. If the pig associates food and potty, it'll fake you out as quick as Jim Brown when he used to thread NFL defences.
House And Yard Space
1. Got a spare bedroom? That's the pig's. Go down to the Goodwill and stock up on blankets. Among these your pig will scrabble, chew, root, scuffle and generally pile them into an acceptable accommodation. Anything down filled will mean disaster; the pig will tear it apart.
2. Let the pig roam your house, but, be mindful, for its first year it may have occasional accidents. The best approach is to confine it for the first six months.
3. Pigs prefer a constant temperature around 70 degrees. Nevertheless they do need some yard time. Pot-Bellied pigs are diggers, like all pigs. Your manicured lawn and flowery perennials will be history if you don't protect them. If your pig's of a mind, he'll root to China. He'll also root right under a fence and escape. A special "exercise" enclosure should include buried, mildly electrified wiring, much the same as commercial hog producers use.
4. Another option is to construct a rooting box, big enough for a full grown pig. Fill it with round stones, ensuring they are large enough not to be inhaled.
5. Inside, the pig will select some rubbing spots. As luck has it, your best piece of furniture will be it. This is normal pig behavior, necessary because it loses its hair about twice annually.
Tricks And Other Trivia
The intelligence of your Pot-bellied pig is in the range of a two to three year-old human. Given that, training can move along quite quickly.
Training for tricks can best be achieved with rewards. Use food treats – pigs, all pigs, love to eat. Some have been taught to fetch things, a trick which can take advantage of their ability to open most cupboard doors. Fetching newspapers is not recommended. Pigs love to chew them into wet wads and spit them about.
Expect the pig to take over your household. On the other hand, as long as you keep up the feeding, he'll be reasonable.
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