How do you pay attention to your pigs?

[chexxy]

I feel like lately I have been paying my pigs no attnetion, and we dont have a bond. I mean they live in a 2x5, two males. But I still feel bad, but they run away from me, and they hate being held or cuddled. They used to wheek when I walked in the room., now they hardly ever look at me.
Any tips on bonding with them, ad getting us to bond again?

[Justin]

I am having hard time understanding. Are you actually asking "how do you make your pigs pay attention to you?"

Anyway, I often cannot spend much time bonding with pigs. Thus, experience the same result with you. Good news is, pigs have short memory, so when you get back to them with "bonding" thing, they will soon get used to you it again.

Beside, this is the perfect reason that we need multiple pigs, and I think you are doing it fine.

[devilfish79]

I have four piggies, so I can relate to your plight. My girlfriend and I make sure that our piggies have at least an hour out-of-cage time a day. That might be 30 minutes in the morning and then 30 minutes at night. Since we both work varying schedules, it makes it tough to have an hour out in one sitting.

I'm thinking that I may just create a playground out of the extra cubes that I have. You might consider doing the same and when you're reading or eating dinner, just sit next to the play area and talk to your piggies. Or, take them out one at a time for some playtime and healthy treat time. Treats are always a great way to get your piggy to voluntarily leave his security.

Also, set a scheduled time and just stick to it. Place sticky-notes around your home to remind you. I do that for a lot of different things that I might put off at a later date.

It all comes down to your willingness to adjust your schedule or make time for your piggies. Once you make time for them, they'll probably start to bond with you again.

Good luck.

[Sammy and Peanut]

Peanut loves it when I give him veggies! When, he eats it all, he'll run over and start nudging my hand and licking it as if he were to say, "I love you mommy, NOW GET ME MORE VEGGIES!" Have you tried hand feeding certain things?

[chexxy]

Originally Posted by devilfish79

I have four piggies, so I can relate to your plight. My girlfriend and I make sure that our piggies have at least an hour out-of-cage time a day. That might be 30 minutes in the morning and then 30 minutes at night. Since we both work varying schedules, it makes it tough to have an hour out in one sitting.

I'm thinking that I may just create a playground out of the extra cubes that I have. You might consider doing the same and when you're reading or eating dinner, just sit next to the play area and talk to your piggies. Or, take them out one at a time for some playtime and healthy treat time. Treats are always a great way to get your piggy to voluntarily leave his security.

Also, set a scheduled time and just stick to it. Place sticky-notes around your home to remind you. I do that for a lot of different things that I might put off at a later date.

It all comes down to your willingness to adjust your schedule or make time for your piggies. Once you make time for them, they'll probably start to bond with you again.

Good luck.

Thanks, I am going to start doing hour out of cage time very day again.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by Sammy and Peanut

nudging my hand and licking it

I never offered my fingers. Aren't you afraid of bite? They have pretty sharp tooth.

[Trace_n_Ripley]

In addition to holding them for at least a short time every night, we talk to them all the time. "Hi girls, I'm home and I love you!" or "I saw that!" or even "Girls, your father is being crazy again", "No, your mother is", "Don't believe him girls, he hasn't a clue". This is easy as they are right in our dining area and our apartment is two levels with the upstairs open to the downstairs. They also get pats when we walk by and I make sure to call and leave a message on the answering machine (right next to them) if I'm going to be late. I'm not so good on giving them floor time (not tons of space here). On the other hand, we were just at a small party and brought them home some leftover salad (no dressing). We're not perfect, but we are very bonded with them.

[auburnmare5]

Maybe grooming would be a good way to bond. Sammy-good idea, I would have never thought of that. You can also actually play with them. Coco loves it when I play with him.

[devilfish79]

Originally Posted by auburnmare5

Maybe grooming would be a good way to bond. Sammy-good idea, I would have never thought of that. You can also actually play with them. Coco loves it when I play with him.

Grooming is actually a great way to bond! I can't believe I didn't mention that. I try to brush my piggies for about 5 minutes each. One, to keep their coats and skin nice and two, so that I can get them to sit still for a short amount of time while I get to pet them without them trying to run and hide and play with me.

So grab a small animal brush (soft bristle for short hair or a pin brush for long hair) and get bonding. I personally use a soft-bristled ferret brush.

Again, good luck.

[devilfish79]

Originally Posted by Justin

I never offered my fingers. Aren't you afraid of bite? They have pretty sharp tooth.

My piggies respond to my gentle "No"'s and sometimes, even a stern "No" is required. I let them lick me, but on my fingertips, I try to discourage teeth. On my knuckle or side of my hand, I'm not so worried but even then, I don't want them to bite.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

You don't have to give them your undivided attention to spend time with them. I take a pig out all the time to sit with me when I study, watch TV, fold laundry etc. I have water proof lap-pads so I don't have to worry about "bathroom breaks" and I also have a little cat bed that has sides so they don't just roam free on the bed, couch or wherever I have them. I have even put them in a little basket on the kitchen counter while I cook- the perfect place to deposit veggie trimmings!

Of course, if your pigs aren't good at sitting still this might be harder for you to be doing other things. Mine will sit still for a long period of time.

[Cosmictadpole]

Do pigs enjoy grooming? Mine hate to sit in my lap; would they like it more if I were to brush them? They are short-haired, so there is no real need to do it, but if they liked it, I'd do it anyway.

[Biscuit]

I make a huge playpen and lay in the middle and read. I even put veggies on my stomach and they eventually start clamoring their way up. They LOVE feet and lick my toes. It's very disturbing!

Just be careful not to fall asleep and roll over or move around! It only takes one bad step to hurt a piggy.

[Cosmictadpole]

That is very cute, AND disturbing!

[conclay1995]

My babies are in my bedroom. So they get talked to a lot. Some examples; good morning, good night, go to bed, what should I wear, etc. I also let them sniff my hand every time I walk by. My kids and their friends like to hang in my room also, so there is additional interaction. Everyone gets held at least once a day, even if it's just to run to the fridge and back. I also let them run in the bathroom when I take a bath and talk to them in there.

I like some of the other ideas here. I definitely want to try the grooming one.

[Biscuit]

Originally Posted by conclay1995

My babies are in my bedroom. So they get talked to a lot. Some examples; good morning, good night, go to bed, what should I wear, etc.

So, if I move the pigs to my bedroom, can I blame them for my lack of fashion sense? =) I think this is a good idea!

Originally Posted by conclay1995

I also let them run in the bathroom when I take a bath and talk to them in there.

Oh that would be fun! I might try that.