The AMPA’s official Mini Pig Training Handbook: Tricks, Life Skills, and Communication With Your Mini Pig is the first training book of it’s kind! An impressive 130 pages full of training instruction, behavior, communication, problem solving, aggression, tricks, manners, and FULL COLOR or B & W photos to help you visualize the wonderful companion that is within your reach.
One of the keys to a long and successful relationship with your mini pig is training and enrichment. Pigs are incredibly intelligent animals. Highly trainable and they thrive when their minds are stimulated and challenged. A well trained pig is a happy pig. Every time you train with your mini pig, you are improving your communication and strengthening your bond. Training teaches your mini pig the skills she needs to be a well behaved member of the family. Training also gives her the tools she needs to communicate with you.
Basic Life Skills ♦ Harness and Leash ♦ Potty Training ♦ Fun Tricks Obstacle Course ♦ Teaching Respect ♦ Enrichment Activities
Tunnel Training – Agility Pigs
Training Series – Blog 9
Pigs can learn to perform most any feat a dog can, with consideration given to their different body structure. A pig isn’t going to be caught doing a back flip, but they can sure tunnel! Obstacle courses are the perfect opportunity for a pig to use body and brain. This makes for a healthy & happy pet.
For smaller pigs, the kid’s tunnels sold on Amazon work great. They fold up for easy storage and provide hours of fun.
To start training the tunnel, simply toss some treats right at the edge of the tunnel entrance. The pig will curiously nibble up those treats and then return to you. Now, toss the treats in a little farther to get her to step into the tunnel. When she is comfortable with loose body language, toss the treats a bit farther, and farther. When you have her going about halfway through the tunnel voluntarily, RUN to the other end –or have a helper waiting by—pop your head into the exit with treats in hand and a sweet “come on piggy!” encouragement. When she comes to you and exits the tunnel, celebrate!! “Good girl!! Good tunnel!”
Once she has gone through it the first time, everything after is going to be easy as cake. Start at the entrance, toss a couple cheerios in a good ways, then pop up at the exit with treats in hand. “Good girl!!” Repeat, repeat, repeat.
As she is trucking through the tunnel give her a cue word, such as “tunnel” or “zoom zoom”. Say this cue word each and every time she goes through to help her connect the action with the word. Soon you won’t need to toss treats into the tunnel. You can just wave your arm in the direction or give her the verbal cue “tunnel” and she will rush right in, popping out of the exit with her nose in the air and grin on her face. She’s expecting her reward!!
Now you’re hooked on agility! There’s a wide open world to explore.
Everyone says pigs are smart, pigs are intelligent, but what you don’t hear is how much they ENJOY learning and how PROUD they are of their achievements. Give it a try – you can learn together, as a team.
How did you teach your pig to run through a tunnel? Tell us about it! We’d love to feature you and your mini pig on the American Mini Pig Association Facebook page.
What can you teach a pig?
- Sit
- Stay
- Spin
- Crawl
- Back up
- Walk on a harness
- Relax for hoof trims
- Come to their name
- No
- Out or leave it
- Shake hands
- Wave
- Push a ball
- Pick up objects
- Paint
- Solve
- Puzzles
- Honk a bike horn
- Play a piano
- Play guitar
- Kiss
- Obstacle course
- Swim
- Ride a skateboard
- Unroll the red carpet
- Step up (onto an object)
- Jump through a hula hoop
- Use Stairs
- Use a doggy door
- Run through a tunnel
- Roll out a red carpet
- Walk up a ramp
- Understand sign language
- Distinguish colors
- Distinguish shapes
- Walk on teeter totter
- Weave through poles
- Figure 8 through legs
- Ring a bell to go potty outside
- & Lots more!
Where can I find more training resources?
The American Mini Pig Association has a wealth of educational articles including training and enrichment activities:
Enrichment Activities For Bored Pigs
Visit our website to learn more about mini pigs, find a registered mini pig breeder, become a member of the AMPA and register your mini pig in the official mini pig registry!
www.AmericanMiniPigAssociation.com