Learn how to teach Kunekune pigs simple tricks and commands using food rewards, patience, repetition, and gentle handling.

Teaching Kunekune pigs tricks can be a fun and rewarding way to build trust while keeping these intelligent, curious animals mentally engaged. With their calm nature and love of food, Kunekunes often respond well to gentle, reward-based training, making simple tricks like coming when called, spinning, or touching a target surprisingly easy to teach. The key is to keep sessions short, positive, and consistent so your pig associates learning with attention, treats, and success.

1. Set Up for Success

  • Environment:
    • Quiet, distraction-free area
    • Non-slippery flooring (no tile or polished concrete)
    • Short sessions (5-10 minutes each)
  • Supplies:
    • Tasty Treats: apples, cheerios, unsalted popcorn, special pig treats
    • Clicker or Marker Word (like "yes!")
    • Patience and consistency!

2. Basics of Pig Training

  • Kunekunes love positive reinforcement — treats and praise.
  • They learn best when rewarded instantly for correct behavior.

Start With Target Training

  1. Show the target (hand or stick).
  2. When the pig touches it, click or say "yes!" and reward.
  3. Repeat until your pig follows the target.
  4. Add a cue word ("touch") just before they touch the target.
  5. Move the target so your pig learns to follow it.

3. Teaching Basic Tricks

A. Sit

  1. Hold a treat just above the pig’s nose.
  2. Move it slightly backward—their rump should lower as they look up.
  3. As soon as they sit, mark and reward instantly.
  4. Repeat, then add the word "sit" before you lure.
  5. Gradually reduce the motion until only the word is needed.

B. Spin

  1. Hold a treat at nose level and move it in a large circle.
  2. Pig follows—mark and treat when they complete the turn.
  3. Add the cue "spin" before the motion as they get the idea.
  4. Gradually rely less on the lure.

C. Come When Called

  1. Use their name plus “come!” in a happy tone.
  2. Reward generously every time they come to you.
  3. Never call for negative things.

4. Advanced Tricks & Enrichment

  • Shake/High Five: Present your hand, gently tap their leg to encourage hoof lifting, mark and reward.
  • Go Around/Through: Teach them to navigate around objects or through tunnels.
  • Fetch: Shape by rewarding picking up and returning objects.

Break each advanced trick into tiny steps and reward each progress point (shaping).

5. Tips For Best Success

  • Stay patient and consistent — repeat steps as needed.
  • End sessions with a trick your pig knows well.
  • If frustrated, stop and try again later.
  • Use very small treats, especially for longer sessions.
  • Gradually introduce distractions like people or new spaces.

6. Common Problems & Solutions

7. Enrichment and Extra Training Ideas

  • Puzzle feeders — hide treats in boxes or toys for pigs to find
  • Low agility tunnels or jumps (supervised)
  • Mix up trick sequences to keep sessions fresh

Resources:- Book: The Complete Guide to Pet Pigs by Sarah Brown- Websites: American Mini Pig Association, Mini Pig Info- YouTube: Find “train pig tricks” for demonstrations

 🐷 Happy Pig Training! 

© 2025 BF Farm Kunekune Pigs

About the Author

At BF Farm, our Kunekune articles are written from hands-on experience raising, breeding, and caring for Kunekune pigs in a real farm setting. We share practical guidance based on daily care, pasture management, piglet development, and the lessons that come from working with this breed year-round.