Walter The Terrible

[gus+walter]

I think poor Gus is reaching the end of his tether with Walters constant rumblings and bum sniffing. The poor guy can't move or relax without Walter getting in his cute face, rumblestrutting and creeping up behind him to sniff his bum and make him jump.
Walter has always been a rumbler so I'm not too worried about that. Just feel so sorry for Gus. The poor furry man just wants peace and quiet.
Any ideas how to ease the situation would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

You can try a trial separation and see whether Gus is perking up noticeably when away from Walter or whether he still wants to be with him, or at least give Gus a couple of hours of time out for sleeping each day (even though that is likely to meet with strong protest from Walter).

As long as there are no fights, you can always try re-introductions. See our tips.

 

[gus+walter]

You can try a trial separation and see whether Gus is perking up noticeably when away from Walter or whether he still wants to be with him, or at least give Gus a couple of hours of time out for sleeping each day (even though that is likely to meet with strong protest from Walter).

As long as there are no fights, you can always try re-introductions. See our tips.

Thanks I do try to give him a little time out to take a nap on next to me on the couch without any fuss whist distracting Walter with a big mound of hay to jump around in. I don't want to permanently separate them as they haven't been fighting (Gus is such a chilled out guy).

I'll set up a separate cage for when walter gets on his nerves and see how that goes

 

[Wiebke]

I don't that they are in any danger of fall-outs by the sound of it. It is just giving Gus some space-out where he can eat and sleep in peace for a short while until Walter is past the worst of his hormones. These come in spikes, so you have better and worse times.

 

[gus+walter]

I don't that they are in any danger of fall-outs by the sound of it. It is just giving Gus some space-out where he can eat and sleep in peace for a short while until Walter is past the worst of his hormones. These come in spikes, so you have better and worse times.

I was secretly hoping the mad hormonal phase was over
But I know Gus would be so happy to have some 'him time'. So glad I kept the zoozone cage they came to me in. Think I'll line it with puppy pads, a mountain of hay and a snuggle tunnel. All his favourite things
Walter will have the whole cage to go nuts and rumble to himself in.
Thanks again

 

[amyhr95]

Sounds like my pig Elvis, he really is a 'pig'. He lives with his brother Smudge and father Squeak, but is a real bully sometimes -chasing, mounting and rumbling, but has never once had a fight and no blood has ever been shed, I think it is because Smudge is so submissive! I've found the best solution was food - as soon as a lump of grass or cabbage etc. is thrown into the cage, there is peace! He sometimes is separated but that doesn't solve the problem because as soon as he is put back in again he rumbles around letting everybody know he owns the place until he settles down. Surprising since he was the runt of the litter and Smudge was actually the big fat bully pup - oh how times change!
Here he is, resting after a hard days work being dominant!

 

[gus+walter]

Sounds like my pig Elvis, he really is a 'pig'. He lives with his brother Smudge and father Squeak, but is a real bully sometimes -chasing, mounting and rumbling, but has never once had a fight and no blood has ever been shed, I think it is because Smudge is so submissive! I've found the best solution was food - as soon as a lump of grass or cabbage etc. is thrown into the cage, there is peace! He sometimes is separated but that doesn't solve the problem because as soon as he is put back in again he rumbles around letting everybody know he owns the place until he settles down. Surprising since he was the runt of the litter and Smudge was actually the big fat bully pup - oh how times change!
Here he is, resting after a hard days work being dominant!
View attachment 15028

Aww he looks so sweet!
Walter has always been the smaller of the two. We say he has small pig syndrome. He isn't the dominant one, but he likes to try his luck. He rumbles around, headbutting everything in his path and constantly swaying at Gus (even if Gus is on the upper level). Eventually, Gus will lose patience and mount Walters head! That soon shuts him up but only for a short time.
When Gus does get a moment of quiet he just flops down as if just gives up. Poor guy.

 

[amyhr95]

Aww he looks so sweet!
Walter has always been the smaller of the two. We say he has small pig syndrome. He isn't the dominant one, but he likes to try his luck. He rumbles around, headbutting everything in his path and constantly swaying at Gus (even if Gus is on the upper level). Eventually, Gus will lose patience and mount Walters head! That soon shuts him up but only for a short time.
When Gus does get a moment of quiet he just flops down as if just gives up. Poor guy.

Awh he sounds like a handful!
Gus sounds like Elvis' father Squeak - the poor old dodger never gets a moments peace but definitely puts him in his place when he can! I thought maybe neutering him would help the situation, but really do not want to risk putting him under anaesthetic I don't suppose yours are?

 

[gus+walter]

No, neutering males doesn't do anything for their behaviours like it does with dogs. It would be an unnecessary risk. Hoping it's just a little hormone attack and he'll chill out again.
So weird, he acts like he can't stand Gus but as soon as I separate them for more than 15 mins he starts to look and cry for him. Melts my heart!

 

[amyhr95]

No, neutering males doesn't do anything for their behaviours like it does with dogs. It would be an unnecessary risk. Hoping it's just a little hormone attack and he'll chill out again.
So weird, he acts like he can't stand Gus but as soon as I separate them for more than 15 mins he starts to look and cry for him. Melts my heart!

Oh good I am glad I never went down that route!
Pigs ey - such hardwork!