introducing a female dog to a female potbelly

Question
Hi

I purchased a potbelly 2 days ago as I have wanted one for ages.
the reason why I also got one is because my female PitBull aires needs companionship. I had hurt from this one farmer that her potbelly is her dogs best friend. I used to have a pig as a child and she (babe) was my male Alsatians best buddy they did everything together.

aires has a really kind nature you can even raise your voice and she already rolls over. She doesn't even kill the rats on our small holding. She made friends with them and happily chases them and chats to them.

now for my question. I have been trying to find some info on how exactly to introduce the two ladies. And I have started stressing cause people keep saying its a deadly combo. It was not in my experience but now as you can imagine I am having second thoughts. Bacona, my pottie is 11 weeks old. She is not very tame but has now started climbing on the couch to sit with me.

aires who is a 2.5 yr old pittie is outside at the moment and hates it. She usually sleeps on the bed with me.

I am just worried bacona squeals and aires doesn't know what it is and things escalate.

please could you provide some guidance.

PS I am a tad of a drama queen so I really need like step by steps and whether it is best to have two people assisting the intro.

thanks

Answer
Pigs and dogs don't speak the same language. This can, but does not always, lead to fighting that escalates until one of them (usually the pig) is badly hurt.

A lot depends on the personality of the individual dog. A calm, well behaved dog is normally not a problem. Nervous dogs, super high energy jumpy dogs, or hunting breeds are usually the problem dogs.

Start by keeping the dog and pig separate, but let them see and smell each other. Let them together when you are there to watch. For example, after dinner bring them both into the same room and watch them.

Hopefully, they will get along fine. If so, after a couple of weeks of closely supervised and limited interaction, you can begin to leave them together for longer periods of time, with a little less supervision.

Really, it all depends on the individual animals. Some get along famously together. Other times, a dog and pig will always need supervision together. The problem is that some piggy behavior just triggers a dog's natural hunting instincts. This is more likely to happen with a hunting breed, but can happen with almost any breed.

Pigs can get territorial about their bed. Older pigs can hurt themselves climbing up on furniture, so it's best to teach your pig to sleep in his own bed. The bed can be in your bedroom and even right next to your bed. Then your dog can continue to sleep in your bed at night. What you might consider is using a baby playpen to surround the pig bed, bring your dog into your bed, have her stay there while you bring piggy in and put piggy to bed. In the morning, take piggy directly to the potty box or outside. Doggie can be trained to stay on the bed, or go to the kitchen or outside.

Do not feed them in the same room. Pigs like to steal other pigs food. Dogs like to fight to protect their food, so keeping them separate avoids the issue