Help with Aggressive Pet Pig

jessnrudi

We have had a male (now large and with tusks) black vietnamese pot bellied pig for 2.5 years since he was 9 months old. That was probably the error in fact as he will never be fully tame as we didn't have him as a baby. He has his own area in the garden and comes out into the rest of the garden too each day. I stroked him everyday and we have chickens, cats and children that visit him, or we are altogether in the garden. Perhaps he would have been happy with another pig but then its hard to introduce one to a terroritorial animal that has never lived with a pig before...Anyway despite some concerns he had been a good pet - rolling over for us to brush him, coming up alongside me for semi-cuddles, we would hang out. He is fed good food, has a comfortable house and large space and opportunity to root.
A tree did fall over his house once in a storm so whether that was a factor in his changing behaviour or just becoming a grown hormonal male I don't know. I know they are intelligent and sensitive animals.
Over time he started to become aggressive to some men visitors. Just recently he has become aggressive towards me (I'm a smallish woman). He's fine with my husband, but originally it was me that he was really close to. Now I am wary of him. It's hard not to be when he's running at me and it could be to greet me or go for me. I can shout 'no' and that probably would stop him - but he knows he is 'top pig' now. How can I change that when I'm actually a bit scared of him? Its a trap. He hasn't done anything to the children, has scraped me with his tusk once drawing blood, but regularly runs at or 'growls' at men that we know and has gone to nip them. I just can't trust him.
Any suggestions what to do? I'm at the point of thinking we are going to have to try and find an alternative home for him - but I feel sad about it and feel like I have failed him. Also who wants to take on an aggressive pig?? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jess

maringo

<snip>

Cherry Blossom

maringo wrote: »

<snip>

One more post of that nature and you can have a holiday from the forum.

seanybiker

My brother had two pigs last year. He was was raising them for food so didn't have them as long as you have your fella. I can't think of the make of the two he had, ginger with blacks spots.
He said they where great when they where growing and planned on keeping them then. Once they got fairly big then they got fairly rough and would attack his dog. In the end he has them turned into food( don't know technical term )
The two he has now are great. They have a run but can open the gate and sometimes go for a walk down to his neighbours together.
I know my post wasn't helpful but just thought I would share that with you.

Hopefully your pig goes back to being lovely.

JupiterKid

I know next to nothing about rearing pigs myself but perhaps if he is an aggressive male he could be neutered? Possibly this might solve your dilemma.

Here is a link that might be useful:
http://www.pigs.org/article.asp?article_id=60

Hope it works out for you.

jessnrudi

Thanks for replies. Actually that was the one thing I forgot to mention. He has had the op, a couple of years ago. He was a bit stroppy before that too, but that's normal. I think all pet pigs need to 'be done'.

nihicib2

all pigs need company of other pigs

boomerang

nihicib2 wrote: »

all pigs need company of other pigs

May not be the source of your particular problem OP, but this is certainly true.

Chris_Heilong

Is he neutered, sounds like he is frustrated.