squealing pet pig HELP!!

Question
Hello,
My pot bellied pig is a year old.  I have had him since he was 8 weeks old.  He squeals so much and so loud that it disrupts our family when they are sleeping and when they are awake.  He is an indoor pig.  Is there anything to do to quiet or lessen the squealing?  We love him and don't want to get rid of him, but it is getting out of hand.
Thank you for your input.  

Answer
Pigs can scream very loudly! Spoiled pigs often scream to get what they want. We call it Spoiled Pig Syndrome, or SPS.

To get this behavior under control, first, you need to figure out why he is screaming. Is is because he's spoiled? In fear or pain? Fighting with another family pet for dominance?

If he's screaming because he's spoiled, the whole family needs to participate in retraining him. And be ready, he may complain even more before he learns to behave.

If he is used to squealing to get food, do not give him food until he is silent. Of course if he squeals to go outside and potty, do take him potty right away! But, do not give in to other demands.

A spoiled pig has learned that if he squeals, he gets what he wants. So, the first time he squeals for food and you say "No", he's going to do what he learned - that is, squeal more! Eventually, he will be silent and that's when you give him praise and the food.

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