Untrain a accidently trained jumping pig?

[EdgeC]

New to pigs, we are raising two breeding pigs. Magalista (Boy) x Hereford (Girl)

When weened they have had zero direct contact with humans. As such, we tried bribing them with treats (Marshmallows). Worked great, however the girl started jumping on us while we were feeding them and we did not think about it and gave the treat anyways. Now I think she has accidently been trained to jump on us when we come in the pen. She is only 10ish weeks now. However seeing as how she is a Hereford and can get REALLY big(600lbs/272.2kg)... I think I need to find a way to stop this behavior instantly. We have noticed the behavior the last three feedings.

Any ideas/solutions?
It's the female (not the male). It's not a hormone thing.

 

[Logar]

@TesoroSena do you have any ideas?

 

[TesoroSena]

Our pigs did the same thing, one ended up needing shots so anytime he’d jump on me I just picked him up, and he stopped since he didn’t enjoy being picked up. If they anre just being tamed I don’t recommend picking them up though. Our pigs know sit and stay, and it’s kind of like dog training. If they jump turn away, if they stay back offer them treats. Anytime they start jumping or get too close to jumping turn away and withhold treats for a few minutes. Pigs are really smart, they should catch on that they don’t get treats if they jump.

 

[Luv Ducks]

New to pigs, we are raising two breeding pigs. Magalista (Boy) x Hereford (Girl)

When weened they have had zero direct contact with humans. As such, we tried bribing them with treats (Marshmallows). Worked great, however the girl started jumping on us while we were feeding them and we did not think about it and gave the treat anyways. Now I think she has accidently been trained to jump on us when we come in the pen. She is only 10ish weeks now. However seeing as how she is a Hereford and can get REALLY big(600lbs/272.2kg)... I think I need to find a way to stop this behavior instantly. We have noticed the behavior the last three feedings.

Any ideas/solutions?
It's the female (not the male). It's not a hormone thing.

When you see her approaching you can you put your knee out to shove her away? I used to have a Pot Belly Pig that got really big but luckily we never had it do that to us. Otherwise I would withhold any treats so it doesn't think it is getting rewarded for bad behavior. I would throw them in the pen or put them in their feed bowl instead of hand feeding them. Just a thought. Good luck with fixing this situation.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

You might try walking toward the pig so she has to back down and giving her the treat when her feet are on the ground. Question though, is it safe to hand feed a pig? Maybe drop the treat on the ground when her feet are on the ground, do not reward the jumping up.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Fixed typos, sorry.

 

[EdgeC]

Our pigs did the same thing, one ended up needing shots so anytime he’d jump on me I just picked him up, and he stopped since he didn’t enjoy being picked up. If they anre just being tamed I don’t recommend picking them up though. Our pigs know sit and stay, and it’s kind of like dog training. If they jump turn away, if they stay back offer them treats. Anytime they start jumping or get too close to jumping turn away and withhold treats for a few minutes. Pigs are really smart, they should catch on that they don’t get treats if they jump.

Thanks! Sorry for late replys. Been busy, neighbors went out of town so been doing their livestock chores & been building hog lots on our own turf. Thanks for the idea we shall try it!

 

[TesoroSena]

Thanks! Sorry for late replys. Been busy, neighbors went out of town so been doing their livestock chores & been building hog lots on our own turf. Thanks for the idea we shall try it!

Totally understand, and youre welcome!! Let me know how it goes.

 

[EdgeC]

You might try walking toward the pig so she has to back down and giving her the treat when her feet are on the ground. Question though, is it safe to hand feed a pig? Maybe drop the treat on the ground when her feet are on the ground, do not reward the jumping up.

I am the only one who hand feeds (use leather gloves) with that said, wife tends to throw them on the ground. The jumping does not matter with how you feed them. Still does it when you're out of snacks and she is trying to get more. I will be resorting to fully ground feeding them from now on, I don't want any more added risk and as little direct contact as possible.
Also sorry for late reply, see my reply above for reasonings.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I would strongly recommend against hand feeding large breed pigs. It can result in them “bumping” your legs for food when they get older and it will leave grapefruit sized bruises at the very least if not send you flying (ask me how I know). Smaller breeds it’s not as big of an issue, but the bigger breeds once they reach a certain size they can’t jump so they bump you instead. When I was a kid I had a sow send me flying out of the pig pen. It felt like I got checked by 500lb linebacker.