Mini pigs ( squelling)

Question
We have a mini pig that we just got on New Year's , were trying to stop him from squealing but it isn't going to well . We pick him up and wait till he stops squealing to put him down but he just goes on and on .Do you have any other ways that might help us ?

Answer
Momma pigs never pick up their babies. In the wild, the only time a piglet is lifted is when a predator has picked him up to eat! So, baby piglets naturally do not like being held.

The trick is to teach piggy that it's fun to be held. Go slowly with him, work at his speed. Pigs are not flexible like dogs and cats. It's important to support him securely along his entire back and spine while holding him, without squeezing him.

Feed him only from your hand, not a dish. All food comes from you.

Sit quietly in a room with him and talk to him. Let him approach you and rub against you. Tell him you're going to touch him before you do. For example, say Tummy Rub then gently scratch his belly.

Do this again at dinner time, this time with his dinner in your hand. Coax him to come onto your lap and eat his dinner from your hand. Touch him, talk to him, gradually get him used to being held and hugged.

Then, hold and feed him while you're standing. After a while, you should be able to pick him up and hold him without any squealing.

I highly recommend the book Pot-Bellied Pig Behavior and Training by Priscilla Valentine. Pris really understands how pigs think and why they do the things they do. Her book is available from Amazon.