From the time piglets are born the “top hog” battle starts. At first, they fight over mom’s teats it will continue going forward. Once top hog is established the battle will start out of nowhere every couple years.

When pigs are adopted in pairs or even one the pigs will still need to establish the top hog of their herd in the family rather it be the family pets, siblings or even owners.

Few pigs can join in with little to no issues, but this is not very common so be ready for the fighting. Fights can last hours, days, weeks, months and some finally work it out in a year or more. Patience is key. Never separate unless bloody gouges showing, and pigs have tried to establish top hog for weeks with no results. If this happens separate by fence for another week and give item of the other pig to sleep with. Feed beside each other and scrub down with Vaseline and in a week or two let them continue. The fighting is hard to watch and will be loud, so earplugs and a drink required to calm momma and daddy down. lol

When you have a piglet or you adopt later on or in the later years its all the same. TAKE CONTROL FROM DAY ONE. TRAIN, TRAIN,TRAIN.

If you want your pig to stay and wait for example teach him/her from the start. If your potty training start from day one. If you watch your piggy tear up things and laugh “oh how cute” then piggy is scolded when he/she does the same thing when its older. 5pds is adorable yet 150ish is not. This is asking for a defiant pig who will be confused and pissed off at you for yelling at him.

When your pig does something you do not approve of walk up behind and nudge shoulder area or rump and in firm voice use one word command nudging into another direction.

Pigs being introduced in a new environment will try to establish top hog within the new place. Rather it be outside with other pigs, pets. or kids or indoors with pets and family.

NEVER LEAVE PIG/DOG or BABY/TODDLER with your pig unsupervised at anytime

One person in the family needs to be top hog same as herd. When your pig is defiant, stubborn and attacking another family member step in immediately and say one word command and nudge to another direction. Family members can help yet like any herd one top dog others are helpers. NEVER leave your child under 10 alone with pig. If piggy gets a smell, scent or startled and is in fear for any unknown reason the child would be injured. (Especially with babies and the scent of food lingering.

Pig will try to be a top hog to family pets especially if single pig and no other animal to speak their language and get top hog title. Little dogs, older dogs, even your dog who has been raised with pig since it was a baby. NONE ARE SAFE when pig wants top hog position. When pig shows signs of frothing, hair standing, sideways stance, grrr sound are signs he/she wants to battle. Remove animal from area and distract pig with another activity.

When pigs are introduced, there are a few ways to make the intro easier.

1. Separate by a fence or gate or even crates beside each other
2. Let them eat together at gate/fence
3. Give them an item the other one has used for the scent
4. When the 2 stop charging fence, gate or crate and stop foaming with mohawk up then its time to let them outside into a large area (sprinkle feed over large area if want) grease their necks, tail, ears and sides and let them go. Some people will say it is not needed but as in all animals what works for one doesnt always work for another.
5. NEVER separate the two once introduced unless the blood is life threatening. Small cuts and wounds can be treated with Vetericyn. If you remove or separate since you are scared or freaked out the process will begin all over and normally lil rougher than first time since they were stopped. (like a battle left waiting for the winner).
6. Piglets under 8wks will have a hard time being accepted to a pig alot older since most are not fixed. Piglets to some older pigs is a threat and some try to hurt the little one, toss little one or nip at little one which can be deadly.
7. Waiting till little one is closer to 3 months to introduce in large area.
8. Before the introduction keep the older one and piglet apart yet able to see each other via playpen, gates secured etc. be sure to keep eye on lil one as they grow up they learn to jump and yes can jump baby gate

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Aggressive PIGS

Pigs will be aggressive if not

1. Fixed or spayed
2. New environment
3. Been abused
4. Upset
5. Hurt/teeth
6. A change has happened they do not like
7. Bored
8. Lonely

Give pig own space to where he can see you. If pig is new to home never force pig to come to you and do not just assume if your nice and sitting pig will come to you the first time. Pigs will adapt at their own pace it can take days to months and some years to trust.

If piggy is snapping use board and nudge to another area and shun for 15 minutes. (Pick a one-word command this one word will help when needed in future) let pig out and try again. If piggy lunges again repeat shun the pig for 15min. When pig stops lunging praise, no treats just praise.

Give pig activities to distract this behavior from reoccurring. Check out https://magssnoutkisses.com/toys-d-i-y-ideasenrichment/

Look into getting a playmate/friend to help your piggy that speaks his language. If your unable to get another pig ducks, rabbits, chickens, cats work well as companions also.