aggression?

Question
We just got a almost 2yr old female potbelly a week ago. At first she was very timid and didn't want to come out of her dog run where we put her to get used to our yard being home. Everyday I am outside for a long time and I let her follow me and my kids around doing chores and feeding the other animals. She has gotten more lively each day and seems much happier.
Today she started following me very closely and puching me with her snout and trying to nip me a little. I pushed her away and told her no firmly but she wouldn't listen. I took her back to her dog run(she follows me everywhere) and left her in there for 15 min after that she backed off for a little while but was soon doing it again. What is she doing and how can I deter this?
Thanks,
Beth

Answer
Thank you for adopting an adult pig. Your pig probably does not understand what has happened. All she knows is that she was taken away from everything she's ever known, and is suddenly living in a new place with new people. She was probably very terrified at first.

Now, she realizes that she isn't going home, and she's expressing her distress in the only way she knows how. She's also trying to figure out where she belongs in the social structure in this new home. And being a pig, she has a natural need to try to put herself as high up as possible.

Also, if she is not spayed, she may be coming into heat. If so, over the next few days, she may become moody. Or she may become fixated on a person or other animal. She may try humping things, or jumping on peoples legs. When her heat is over, the behaviors will stop instantly until next month. The only solution, and the best one for her long term health, is a spay.

I don't know the circumstances surrounding this adoption. I do know that pigs reach maturity at age 2. Pigs raised as spoiled house pets often develop assertive or aggressive behaviors at age 2, because they don't realize they are pigs.

You did exactly the right thing. Push her away, tell her no firmly, and if she persists, give her Time Out. It will take a few more tries, and maybe even as long as a week, but she will stop. Also, it's important that EVERYONE follow these guidelines. If one person allows her to do this, she will be confused and the problem will just get worse.