[thestephens]

any advice on training the pigs with a pigboard?
age to start with?with our adult pigs a bucket of food works a treat but my daughters want to try with the piglets, now 3 months old.  is it like dog training-food in your hand?

[HappyHippy]

Hiya 
I'm not hugely experienced myself, but no - it's not food orientated training if you're wanting to walk them with the board.
 
For 'sit' and 'lie down' (even 'trotter' if you want  ) you can use a food reward and train them in the way you would a dog, it might be best to start with this type of interaction - depending on what you want your pig to be able to do.

For board training, it's more getting them used to going where YOU want them to go. The first couple of times I even went near my Large Black with the board she looked at it, snorted, jumped backwards then started chasing her tail in circles (mental pig !) but after 2 or 3, 20 minute sessions she started to get the idea.
You'll need a board and a stick (this can be a garden cane or old piece of waterpipe) the stick shouldn't be used to hit them, it's more a gentle but persistant tapping to keep them moving as you (attempt) to guide them using the board. The theory being they'll only go where they can see 
It's guarenteed to have you in stitches (especially if you are a spectator during early training sessions) but once you've had 2 or 3 go's they will start to respond. Limit the 'session' to around 20-30 minutes. It may seem like a long time, but if your pig gets used to only walking for 5 minutes, that's all she'll walk for  If you were ever to find yourself in a large show class, she'd need to walk for up to 30 minutes. But by all means start shorter and work up to it. From personal experience - young pigs (less than 4 months) can be harder to train - but they weren't KK's - the ultimate laid back pig, so you might find it goes great from the start.
Either way - please let us know how you get on and if possible post a video 
HTH
Karen x

[thestephens]

ha ha ha no videos!!! and 30 mins!!! OMG! we got a small children sized board at the highland show, got their "farm sticks" too. we definately have the system of gently tapping them but as soon as the board comes into action its chaos, reversing pigs, children falling over pigs, but they are so keen (the kids) we had to drag them away tonight!

does a ripped ear make your pig unshowable?   

[princesspiggy]

it can be a hilarious experience, but worth perserving if u can stop laughing!! i think in theory, the position of the board on the shoulder has alot to do with control. and to stop them, put in front of their nose! good luck 

[princesspiggy]

For 'sit' and 'lie down' (even 'trotter' if you want  ) you can use a food reward and train them in the way you would a dog,

now thats food for thought (excuse the pun) anyone tried clicker training a pig? we might try that now 

[Beewyched]

 

Don't need the video - I can just imagine it from when I first started 

I recommend a very small space to get started & not around feed times    You need to try (!) & get them (children & pigs!) circling anti-clockwise, nice slow pace (pretend the judge is in the middle) with the pig always between the handler & the judge (about 10-15 feet away depending on the size of the ring).  The main problem I had was getting him (SoS the pig) to stand still when the judge checks the underside (teats etc & other "bits" if it's a male pig!) - the judge usually uses a board to kneel on when doing this (I wasn't prepared for that bit!) so you need to train them to stand still - best of luck