Brothers...?

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Some pigs don't want to share the humans with another pig, even if they get along well otherwise. One of my original pigs, Linney, REALLY did not want to share the people and would get aggressive with the subordinate pig if I tried to hold them both at once. I just held them separately and now it's just kind of my habit. It does give me one-on-one time with each pig, which is nice. I'm not sure that Hadley (current dominant pig) would mind sharing (I suspect she wouldn't, she isn't as bossy as Linney was) but I honestly enjoy the one-on-one time now and haven't really tried having both share a lap. I also have three kids, so there are always enough spare laps around that no one has to share!
 
Freela said:
Some pigs don't want to share the humans with another pig, even if they get along well otherwise. One of my original pigs, Linney, REALLY did not want to share the people and would get aggressive with the subordinate pig if I tried to hold them both at once. I just held them separately and now it's just kind of my habit. It does give me one-on-one time with each pig, which is nice. I'm not sure that Hadley (current dominant pig) would mind sharing (I suspect she wouldn't, she isn't as bossy as Linney was) but I honestly enjoy the one-on-one time now and haven't really tried having both share a lap. I also have three kids, so there are always enough spare laps around that no one has to share!
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yeah, his brother's a bully.
 
ChewyTheGuinea said:
yeah, his brother's a bully.
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Well, it's nature, they have to have a social hierarchy... it's how their society is structured. The top pig gets everything first and best, but also has more of a 'job' to do (probably more evident in the wild or in a larger group where they have to keep the peace between varying members.) The bottom pig isn't the boss, but also doesn't have as many worries (they just do what the leader does.) I figure that some pigs may be overly bossy, but those would be the pigs whose herds ran like a well-oiled machine! I also saw how distressed Sundae was upon losing the leader pig when Linney passed away and realized that, as many times as she shoved Sundae out of the way, she was giving Sundae a very real sense of protection and comfort. I think it caused me to value that 'bossy pig' behavior more highly! They are the glue that sticks things together!
 
Freela said:
Well, it's nature, they have to have a social hierarchy... it's how their society is structured. The top pig gets everything first and best, but also has more of a 'job' to do (probably more evident in the wild or in a larger group where they have to keep the peace between varying members.) The bottom pig isn't the boss, but also doesn't have as many worries (they just do what the leader does.) I figure that some pigs may be overly bossy, but those would be the pigs whose herds ran like a well-oiled machine! I also saw how distressed Sundae was upon losing the leader pig when Linney passed away and realized that, as many times as she shoved Sundae out of the way, she was giving Sundae a very real sense of protection and comfort. I think it caused me to value that 'bossy pig' behavior more highly! They are the glue that sticks things together!
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Edited to add: Not sure if you've noticed this with your bossy pig, but mine was REALLY smart. I think it might come with the territory of wanting to be the leader. She learned very quickly (not always what we wanted her to learn!), was really inquisitive, and was really good at manipulating her environment (using things to climb up on other things, etc.) She also taught my other pigs not to pee on the carpet (as she would always go back into the cage to do so and they would copy her) and was the one pig that seemed to understand basic words (She knew what 'no' meant, she did look up to her name consistently, if we told her to popcorn in an excited voice she would popcorn for us.) She had a big personality and was very entertaining!
 
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