How to Use Your Body to Guide Your Mini Pig
Helpful for on or off the leash. You can use your body position to move or guide your pig in a specific direction. Pigs are stubborn and heavy, and they can be challenging to move. We are always faced with situations in which we need to guide our pig in one direction or another. Moving them by force just doesn’t work. They get loud, mad, and they don’t easily forget that you made them uncomfortable. This technique is great when done with two or more people. One well ahead of the pig maybe luring with treats or calling the pig’s name while the other person is behind the pig’s body doing the steering to the right or left.
This technique with the use of a sorting board or tote lid as a guide or shield for protection can help trailer pigs, move them into stalls, help capture loose pigs, or get your pig from the car to the vet.
Positioning your body correctly will influence your pig to move left, right, or straight ahead.
Move Your Mini Pig Forward or Straight Ahead.
Position your body a couple of feet behind your pig. Move forward walking with confidence while watching your mini pig’s body language. Some pigs are more sensitive than others. You may need to adjust your body to be closer or further away to get the results you are looking for. As you move confidently forward, your pig should take steps away from you. You move forward, your pig moves forward. Keep in mind that your pig cannot see you if you stand directly behind them. You will need to be firm in your steps so your pig can feel you there. Sometimes a little knee tap to the tush can help encourage movement forward.
To slightly adjust your pig left or right, you may need to lift an arm to the right or left. Watch your pig to see how they respond. Moving your feet/body forward and closer to your pig will move your pig forward. Raising or waving your right arm will move your pig slightly left. Raising your waving your left arm will move your pig slightly right. Watch your pig’s head and ears. They will point their head in the direction they intend to move.
**Pigs can get vocal as you step into their personal space. They can feel the pressure of your presence, and it makes them uncomfortable. This is why they move away from you as you move towards them.**
Move Your Mini Pig to the Right
To guide your mini pig to the right you will need to position your body on the left side of your pig behind the left front shoulder. Walking towards the area between the tush and shoulder. Again, your pig may react when you are a couple of feet away and moving towards them. You may have to move in closer to get movement from your pig. You may also add waving or movement of the left arm and hand to encourage small adjustments to the right.
The pig’s head and ears will point right just before they move their feet towards the right.
To Guide Your Mini Pig to the Left
To guide your mini pig to the left, you will need to position yourself on the right side of the pig. Position yourself in the area behind the front right shoulder and tush. Walk into the direction of your mini pig. Watch your pig’s body language. The head and ears will turn to the left and the feet will follow.
You may also add some waving or movement of the right arm and/or hand to make some adjustments toward the left.
Move Your Pig Back
You can step into the front area of your pig and walk confidently towards your mini pig to move your pig backwards. Saying “back or back up” when your pig takes those steps back can help teach them to back when asked. Pigs that you may not know well can take this move into their space as threatening so watch the pig’s body language and be aware that a pig may charge or nip.
Areas to Avoid
When you are using this method to move your pig, there are a few areas to make note of to avoid. One note to keep in mind is do not try to guide your pig into the direction of another person or object that will block their ability to move. If you are guiding to the right, make sure that all is clear to the right. If something stands in your pig’s way, they will get frustrated or mad.
The second and most important area to avoid is the head swipe zone. You want to avoid coming into the area of your pigs face and neck. If you step into this space, you are at risk of being head swiped, bite or charged at. The head swipe zone is in front of your pigs face and along both sides of the neck.
Avoid stepping or kneeling in the area of red when you are moving a pig. Keep in mind that a pig can spin their entire body swiftly and swipe. Be confident, but always cautious and watching for signals from the pig.
Again, if you have a sorting board or large tote lid you can use this as a shield or guide to safely move a pig that you may be less familiar with or a pig that is just highly sensitive to people in their space. Sorting boards are great help for humans with disabilities or trouble moving. Pigs respond well to a board as a guide.
Always move slowly, calmly, confidently, and quietly.
You can learn more about move the pig technique and teaching respect of space here.