Stubborn Pig

Hair and skin, show pig training tips, equipment discussion, what you need to get started
Post Reply
Jfig
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2017 6:44 pm

Stubborn Pig

Post by Jfig » Mon Jul 10, 2017 6:50 pm

I've shown pigs for 9 years and I've never had one like this. She runs fast enough to stay out of reach of me to where I can't even tap her forehead and when I do get in reach, she plows past me to get back to her pen. She knows what to do but chooses not to listen. She works fine in her pen and as soon as I take her out she tries to go right back. She's pen sour, stubborn, and I'm at a loss. Looking for any tips to get her to at least cooperate with me.

Pac
Showpig Specialist
Showpig Specialist
Posts: 241
Joined: Sun May 17, 2015 8:16 am

Re: Stubborn Pig

Post by Pac » Tue Jul 11, 2017 1:46 pm

This is always a tough situation to answer. I would start by letting her out and closing the gate and letting her "wander" with you close by to get comfortable with you always standing near her. After you see some results from that gently introduce the whip. Not sure how heavy your pig is, but they also tend to slow a bit as they get heavier. I also recommend working her on a full stomach.

JustStarting
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 10
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 6:54 am
Location: Georgia

Re: Stubborn Pig

Post by JustStarting » Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:47 pm

We ran across this same thing with a barrow last fall. We were at a loss and decided to try giving him melatonin gel caps in his feed in the evenings before we worked him. It worked like a charm and worked on show days too.

User avatar
hogger39
Power User
Power User
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2017 8:42 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Re: Stubborn Pig

Post by hogger39 » Sun Oct 22, 2017 4:56 pm

Had this issue last year with my gilt. She was stubborn at home, but walked like a dream at fair. If you can try to find a different spot for her to walk, that might do it. She knows where you walk her and is over-confident in her location.

Taylor_Ann
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:12 pm

Re: Stubborn Pig

Post by Taylor_Ann » Tue Apr 14, 2020 5:27 pm

I have the same problem with my barrows! They are extremely stubborn and just don’t seem to listen! They hate being apart but seem to walk great when in a group but I know they must learn to walk separate. It’s absolutely exhausting and extremely frustrating just getting them out of the barn, much less walking them.

Post Reply