Potty training confusion

Question
We live in upstate NY and a few months ago when the weather got nice out, we built a pen for Meatball, our 8-month old micro mini male (neutered). It has an area of grass, which he loves. He spends at least an hour a day outside, weather permitting. Previously to him going outside, he was litter box trained, with litter boxes in two rooms of our house. It seems that the more time has passed since Meatball has been going outside, the more he's been having 'accidents' in the house. Our vet suggested we put a litter box outside, as he was likely confused by being able to go potty anywhere he wanted, so we did that, but it's been three weeks and we haven't seen any noticeable improvement. He has a pen in his room with only space for his litter box, bed and water bowl. Sometimes he pees on the floor in his room when he seemingly wants us to let him out (he squeals rather loudly, but we wait for him to stop before letting him out) and other times he will literally stand with his nose touching the outside of the box and pee on the floor (this just happened tonight while we were in the same room, snuggling on the couch). When we catch him peeing, we tell him 'bad piggy, you pee pee in the box' and put him back in his room for an hour (or for the night, depending on the time) as sort of a time out/punishment. When we find pee in the pen in his room, we tap him on the nose and say the same thing, but clearly there's a disconnect somewhere. He also has taken to dragging his bed and blanket all through the pee and using his nose to 'push' the pen around his room. He always poops in the box, interestingly enough. My husband and I both work full-time but we try to keep him out of his pen/room while we're home, but it's hard to do that when we can't keep a close watch on him since he's been peeing all over the carpet. He does get cuddle time with at least one of us each night.

Does he just need more time to unlearn this habit? Is he just being naughty due to boredom? Does he need another pig for a companion? We love our little guy and want him to be happy. Thanks in advance for your suggestions/help!

Answer
The undesirable behavior has been going on for a while, so it's going to take time and diligence to make a complete and permanent change. Pigs learn quickly and unlearn very slowly.

Tiny pigs make tiny pee puddles. Very tiny. Often, these are so tiny that people don't notice them. So, when the piglet makes a tiny puddle, and the people don't notice, the piglet thinks all is Ok. And the people think their tiny piglet is perfectly potty trained.

But, as the piglet grows, the size of the puddle grows, too. Eventually, the people begin to notice. They believe their pig has forgotten all the training, or is angry at them. The pig is just confused. Everything was ok before, why has it all changed?

Pigs under a year or so old don't fully have control of their bladder. They don't realize they need to pee until it's nearly too late. And, they have to pee often. Piglets are also energetic and curious. Can you leave him outside during the day when you are gone?

The best solution here is to start over at the very beginning. First, the box should be something piggy is comfortable using. It should be big enough for him to turn completely around inside. It should have one very low side to step in easily, because pigs do not like to step up to potty. The bottom should be non-slip, so piggy has secure footing. Kitty litter usually does not work well. Shredded newspaper or pine shavings work better. Some people use only an old towel that is washed daily, others use nothing at all, simply dumping and rinsing the box.

Clean the area where he's been peeing thoroughly with any quality cleaner designed to remove pet odors. If possible, move him to a different space. He's pushing the pen around because he's bored, and now that he knows he can, he will not stop. So choose a room like a laundry room or large closet or small bedroom or den. Part of the problem you are fighting here is that he's become used to having the pee around, so giving him a nice clean space will help him start fresh.

The next part will be tricky for you. You'll need to make him potty often and keep him so empty he will not need to make a mistake. Putting him outside during the day will solve the problem of potting in his room during the day when you're gone. It will ease his boredom, too. If you can not do that, then put lots of toys and a rooting box in his room with him when you're gone.

Take him to the litter box as soon as he wakes up, before and after each meal, before you take him out of his room. The first few times you may physically have to guide him into the box while telling him what to do, and keeping him there until he does it. Remember he's really confused, and needs some time and firm guidance to sort it all out.

So assume he has peed in the box, and you've let him out to play with you. After 10 or 15 minutes, take him outside or to the box and tell him to potty. Keep him there until he does or at least tries. When you are with him, do not let him go more than an hour without going to the potty box.

In my personal opinion, based on my personal experiences, pigs are happiest with companionship. Single house pigs do well in homes where people are usually present. In homes that are empty for hours most days, pigs do better with companion pigs or cats in an indoor/outdoor setting. Pigs are full grown at age 4 or 5. By that age they can hold their bladders very well. Older pigs do well in homes that are empty most days, they are content to sleep most of the day. So there is always the possibility of piggy returning to the house full time later on.

Getting a companion pig can have pitfalls. Pigs insist on establishing a pecking order among themselves, and this often means fighting. Because your pig is under a year old, he's young enough to be introduced to an adult pig with a minimum of fighting. Also, you'll know for sure the adult pig's size and personality.

Some great resources are the book Pot-Bellied Pig Behavior and Training by Priscilla Valentine, and the dvds There's a Pig in the House and Amazing Pig Tricks by Top Hogs (www.tophogs.com). The Yahoo group PigInfoAndChat has lots of pig people who love to talk about pigs, potty training, etc.