| How to Train a Pig Posted: 20 May 2019 01:00 AM PDT Because pigs are highly intelligent and easily motivated by food and affection, they're surprisingly easy to train. Although pigs aren't the right pets for everyone, as a responsible pig owner you can establish good behaviors early on with commands like "no," "stay," "come," and "leave it." You can also house train your pig so it uses a litter box and walks on a leash. With some healthy treats and patience, your pig will be trying to impress you with its mastery of new tricks like "spin," "sit," and "shake." EditEstablishing a Training Routine and Rewards - Start training your pig as early as possible. If you begin training your pig when it's very young, or as soon as you get it, you'll be able to establish good behaviors. You will keep your pig mentally stimulated and engaged while nurturing a bond between you and your pig.[1]
- Pigs like hierarchical relationships. By training a young piglet, you can establish yourself as the leader of the herd.[2]
- Train your pig every day. Like other intelligent animals, pigs become destructive when they're bored. Prevent boredom from setting in with a consistent routine that your pig can anticipate.[3]
- It is in a pig's nature to investigate and forage.[4] Balance your training regime with other "free time" activities that allow your pig to safely explore.
- Set a specific time each day to train your pig. Plan to implement your training program during specific times of the day. Observe your pig's habits to learn which times of day it has the highest levels of focus and patience. Also consider training your pig just before bedtime, to use up the last bursts of mental and physical energy for a good night's sleep.[5]
- Pigs function well with routines, so if you stick to this schedule you'll help your pig thrive.
- Avoid training your pig around mealtimes, generally. When your pig is hungry and impatient, it won't be motivated to practice tricks and commands. You might even provoke it to become aggressive. Prioritize giving your pig a healthy, balanced diet and plenty of fresh water over rehearsing tricks.
- Early on, you can teach your pig the "come" command and use the meal as the reward when it comes over to you.[6] Eventually, though, this command can be detached from mealtime.
- Only once your pig has mastered other commands and tricks, like "stay" and "sit," should you practice these around mealtimes.
- Stock your pantry with pig-friendly treats. Pigs are highly motivated by food rewards, which helps during the training process. Gather treats to use only during your training session. Prepare fresh fruits like chopped apples and halved grapes, or stock up on cereals like shredded wheat and Cheerios. Plain popcorn is another great option, as long as it's not salted or buttered.[7]
- Keep the treat servings small to prevent unnecessary weight gain.[8]
- Follow up each treat with positive reinforcement. Each time you deliver a reward, show your pig some affection. Say things like "good boy/girl" or your pig's name while petting and scratching its favorite spots. Pigs tend to bond with their humans, so providing lots of attention and affection can help make your pig eager to participate.[9]
- You can also use a clicker during your training, along with treats and affection.[10]
EditHousebreaking a Pig - Provide a suitably-sized litter box for your pig. The litter box should be large enough for your pig to stand at least the back half of its body in. It should also be shallow enough to accommodate a pig's limited range of leg motion.[11] Cut out a low entryway to the litter box if your piglet is very small.
- Fill the box with pine shavings. Line the base of the litter box with paper towel for added traction. Your pig might slip on smooth plastic. Then fill the litter box with pine shavings, pine pellets, or newspaper pellets.
- Avoid clumping litter (like most cat litters) since pigs will attempt to eat the clumps.
- Refrain from using cedar shavings or walnut litter as they will irritate your pig.[12]
- If your pig has used a litter box before, ask the previous owner or breeder what variety they used. You should use the same for consistency.
- Place the litter box in a confined area. Use a playpen, a large crate, or a small enclosed room (such as a mudroom or bathroom) for potty training. Since pigs prefer to be clean and sanitary, this should be a separate space from where they sleep and eat.[13]
- Avoid letting your pig roam freely until it's mastered the use of the litter box and knows how to find it.
- Once your pig is house trained, consider spreading multiple litter boxes around your space so it doesn't have to wander very far.
- Place your pig in the litter box every few hours and say a "potty" command. Place it directly in the box every 1 or 2 hours. Say a command such as "go potty" or "bathroom." Whenever your pig uses the litter box correctly, offer it lots of praise. In time, your pig will know to go directly to the litter box when it needs to relieve itself.
- Piglets have very limited control over their bladders, so place yours in the litter box as soon as it wakes up and immediately following each meal, drink of water, training session, and play session and right before bedtime.
- Refrain from rewarding litter box usage with treats, since your pig might try to trick you into getting a treat.[14]
EditTeaching Behavioral Commands - Say the "no" command with a raised hand. When your pig attempts a prohibited activity, sternly say "no." Make sure you're positioned so that your pig can see you, and raise your hand like a stop sign, or point your finger towards the pig, while you say the command.[15]
- Repeat this command only when your pig demonstrates negative behaviors, and contrast the "no" command with positive reinforcement of good behaviors.
- Eventually your pig may stop what it's doing upon seeing just your hand gesture.
- Hold out a treat and teach your pig the "come" command. This is one of the few commands you should teach around mealtime. While holding a meal or treat close to your body, say the command "come" before giving the food to your pig. After a few weeks of regular mealtime practice, or once your pig has mastered this command at mealtimes, get a treat and say "come" when your pig is a little farther away. Keep increasing the distance and your pig will learn to come to your side upon command.[16]
- Once your pig has a handle on this command, gradually decrease the number of treats you provide. You'll find it to be useful in many situations beyond mealtime! But keep rewarding your pig with affection and positive reinforcement.[17]
- Urge your pig to walk backward for the "leave it" command. When your pig wanders into an off-limits area or towards an off-limits item, you can use the command "leave it," "back," or "out." Stand in front of the pig and slowly walk towards it until it begins to walk backward or away from you. Repeat the command with every step the pig takes in the right direction, then reward it with a treat and some affection when it has completely left the off-limits area.[18]
- You can also motion your hands in front of your body to "shoo" the pig backward, but make sure you exhibit a positive energy and give positive reinforcement. Don't scare the pig away!
- Pigs are relatively stubborn, so this command might take a while for yours to learn. Even once it knows the command, it might not follow immediately. Expect to repeat this command regularly.
- Use a hand gesture along with the "stay" command. Select a hand gesture for the "stay" or "wait" command. You can use a raised palm or pointed finger (whichever you're not using for the "no" command). Say the command with the hand gesture and wait a few moments while your pig stays still. Then deliver a reward and praise.[19]
- Over time, stand farther away and even back up while repeating the command. But make sure you go directly to your pig to deliver the reward. This way your pig will learn that it doesn't need to go to you to get the treat since you will go to it.
EditTraining Your Pig to Do Tricks - Teach your pig the "spin" trick by rotating a treat around its body. Pick a command to use with this trick. It can be "spin" or "dance," or you can say "left" and "right" to teach your pig to turn in different directions.[20] Hold a treat out in front of your pig's snout, and then rotate it in a wide circle to encourage the pig to rotate its body. Once the treat and the pig have completed a full rotation, deliver the reward.[21]
- Since this action doesn't require any challenging movements or body adjustments, it can be a great first trick to teach your pig.
- Your pig is likely to pick up this trick quickly or within just a few weeks. Once it understands the premise of the trick, remove the treat but continue gesturing with your hand. Deliver a treat at the end of the circle. Gradually transition to offering just positive reinforcement.
- Eventually, your pig should be able to spin on your verbal command, without a hand gesture or a food "carrot" leading it around.
- It might even start spinning on the spot without your command in anticipation of a treat! In these instances, deliver positive reinforcement to praise your well-trained pig but refrain from offering a treat.
- Hold a treat in the air to encourage your pig to do the "sit" trick. When standing, pigs can't lift up their heads to look up like other animals can. If you hold up a treat above its head, it will have to sit down to adjust its perspective.[22] Hold a treat out in front of the pig's snout and slowly raise it above its head. Say the word "sit" as you do this. Then as soon as the pig's bottom hits the floor, deliver the reward.[23]
- Refrain from pushing the pig's body down to get it to sit. Sitting is not an easy, natural position for pigs. At first, it will be focused on the food, not what its body is doing. After weeks or even months of practice, it will associate the movement with the "sit" command.
- Practice "sit" training on carpeting or grass. Your pig's hooves might slip on smoother surfaces.
- Try practicing this trick against a wall so that your pig doesn't just walk backward.[24]
- Gently encourage your pig to lift its hoof for the "shake" trick. While sitting in front of your pig, gently tap on the back of its front leg while saying the "shake" command. Once your pig has become comfortable with this contact, lightly lift your pig's hoof off the ground when you say "shake." Keep repeating this process and soon enough your pig will anticipate the leg lift.[25]
- Once your pig has mastered "shake" after a few weeks, it might be ready for "wave." Say the "shake" command without positioning your hand near its hoof. If the pig lifts its hoof, reward this behavior and introduce the "wave" command.[26]
- Getting your pig comfortable with having its hooves touched will be helpful when it comes time for you or a vet to trim them.
- Although the process of training a pig is similar to training a dog, remember that pigs aren't dogs! They have their own unique set of needs and behaviors.[27]
- Be wary of labels like "teacup," "micro," or "mini" in relation to pigs. These terms aren't regulated and most pigs will indeed grow to full-size. If you're not prepared to care for a potbelly, reconsider whether pig ownership is the right choice for you.[28]
- Check local regulations to determine whether pig ownership is legal in your area. Some places prohibit household livestock ownership.[29]
EditReferences
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| How to Grow and Care for a Bonsai Tree Posted: 19 May 2019 05:00 PM PDT Bon sai is an art that has been practiced in Asia for many centuries. Bonsai trees are grown from the same seeds as trees that grow to full size. They are grown in small containers and trimmed and trained so that they remain small and elegant. Learn how to grow a bonsai tree, train it in one of the traditional bonsai styles, and care for it so that it stays healthy for many years to come. EditPicking Out a Bonsai Tree - Select a tree species. The type of tree you grow should be reliant on the environment where you'll be keeping it. Your region's climate and your home environment should both be taken into account when you're deciding which species of tree to grow. To be on the safe side, select a species that is indigenous to your part of the world.
- Deciduous species such as Chinese or Japanese elms, magnolias, oaks, and crabapple trees are good selections if you'd like to grow your bonsai outside. Just be sure to pick out a species that can grow to full size in your region.[1]
- If you prefer coniferous trees, junipers, pines, spruces, or cedars all make excellent choices.
- If you want to grow a tree indoors (or if you live in a hot climate), consider a tropical species. Jade, snowrose, and olive trees may be grown as bonsais.
- Decide whether to plant the tree from seed. Planting a bonsai tree from seed is a slow but rewarding process. If you plant a tree, you'll have to allow it time to take root and grow strong before you can begin trimming and training. Depending on the species of tree you grow, this could take up to five years.[2] Many find the extra wait and effort to be worth it since seeds are so inexpensive and the grower is able to control the tree at every stage of growth. To grow a bonsai from seed, take the following steps:
- Buy a package of bonsai tree seeds. Soak them overnight before planting them in soil with good drainage and the right nutrient composition for your tree species. Plant the tree in a training container (as opposed to a ceramic display container, which is only used once the tree has been trained and reached maturity).
- Give the planted tree the correct amount of sun, water, and a consistent temperature, again dictated by the specific species of tree.
- Allow the tree to become sturdy and strong before you begin to train it.
- Consider foraging for a bonsai tree. This method of acquiring a bonsai tree is highly valued, since caring for a bonsai tree you find in the wild requires a lot of skill and knowledge. If collecting a tree that has had its start in nature appeals to you, consider the following factors:
- Select a tree with a sturdy trunk, but one that is still quite young. Older trees won't adapt well to being placed in a container.
- Choose a tree with roots that spread evenly in every direction, rather than growing laterally or entangled with the roots of other trees.
- Dig around the tree and extract a large amount of soil along with the roots. This will prevent the tree from dying of shock when it is moved to a container.[3]
- Plant the tree in a large training container. Care for it according to the needs of the particular species. Wait about a year for the roots to get used to the container before you begin training it.
- Choose from among trees that have already been partially trained. This is the easiest way to begin the art of bonsai, but it is also the most expensive. Bonsai trees that have been grown from seed and partially trained have already received a lot of time and care, so they are usually quite pricey. Look online and in local nurseries and plant shops for a bonsai tree to bring home with you.
- If you buy a partially-trained bonsai from a shop, talk with the person who trained it about its specific needs.
- When you bring the bonsai home, give it a few weeks to adjust to the new setting before you begin working with it.
EditKeeping a Bonsai Tree Healthy - Pay attention to the seasons. Bonsai trees, like all trees and plants, react to the change in seasons. If you're keeping a bonsai tree outside, it will have an even stronger reaction to the change in temperature, sunlight, and the amount of rainfall in the region. In some regions there are four distinct seasons, and in others the seasonal changes are more subtle. In any case, understand the way your tree species reacts to the seasons in your region, and let that information guide the way you care for it.
- Trees lay dormant during the winter; they aren't producing leaves or growing, so they don't use as much nutrition. During this season, watering the tree is about the only care it needs. Avoid trimming it too much, since it won't be able to replace the depleted nutrients until spring.
- In spring, trees begin using the nutrients they stored during the winter to sprout new leaves and grow. Since your tree is in transition during this time of year, it's a good time to repot the plant (adding extra nutrients to the soil) and begin trimming.
- Trees continue to grow during the summer, using up the rest of their stored nutrients. Be sure to water yours well during this period of time.
- In the fall, tree growth slows, and the nutrients begin accumulating again. This is a good time for both trimming and repotting.
- Give the tree morning sun and afternoon shade. Your bonsai tree's light needs depends on the species and your climate, but most will thrive in a location that receives morning sun. Turn the tree 90 degrees every few days so all of the tree foliage can receive an equal amount of light.[4]
- Indoor trees may need a light shade cloth over the window during hot, bright summer months.
- Protect the tree from extreme temperatures. During the summer, it's fine for the tree to spend the majority of time outside. Bring it inside overnight when temperatures dip below about . In preparation for the winter, get your tree acclimated to spending more time indoors by moving it inside for a few hours at a time, and increasing the time it spends indoors every day until you bring it inside entirely.
- Provide food and water. Fertilize the tree with a special fertilizer meant to keep bonsai trees healthy. When the soil begins to look dusty or dry, water the bonsai. The exact watering frequency depends on the tree species and the season. You may need to provide a little water every day during the summer, but only water once every few days during cold winter months.
EditTraining a Bonsai Tree - Choose a training style. There are several traditional training styles that you can choose for your tree. Some are meant to resemble a tree in nature, while others are more stylistic. There are dozens of bonsai styles to choose from, although the training container you use may limit your options.[5] Here are some of the most popular:
- Chokkan. This is the formal upright form; think of a tree growing strong and straight with branches that stretch evenly around it.
- Moyohgi. This is the informal upright form; the tree has a more natural slant, rather than growing straight upward.
- Shakan. This is the slanting form - the tree looks windblown and striking.
- Bunjingi. This is the literati form. The trunk is often long and twisted, with minimal branches.
- Train the trunk and branches. "Training" the young bonsai tree involves gentle bending of the trunk and branches to guide their growth. Wrap the tree in wire to hold it in this position, as described here:
- Use annealed copper wire for coniferous trees, and aluminum wire for deciduous trees.[6] You'll need heavier gauge wire toward the bottom of the trunk, and finer wire for the branches.
- Firmly anchor the wire by wrapping it around a limb once or twice. Do not wrap too tightly, which can damage the tree.
- Wrap the wire at a 45-degree angle, using one hand to steady the tree while you work.
- Trees have different wiring needs depending on the time of year and whether they have just been repotted.[7]
- As time goes on and the tree grows and begins to take on the shape you have designed, you'll have to rewire the tree and continue to train it until it holds the shape you want without the help of wire.
- Prune and trim the tree. Use a small pruning tool to strategically clip off leaves, buds, and parts of branches to help the tree grow a certain way. Each time you prune, growth is stimulated on another part of the tree. Knowing where to prune and how often is part of the art of bonsai, and learning how to do it takes a lot of practice.[8]
- When you transfer from a larger container to a smaller one, trim the roots to the shape of the pot. Don't prune the roots until the trunk has reached the desired size.
- Prune in the summer to direct new growth. If you need to remove an entire limb, wait until autumn when the tree is less active. Do maintenance pruning to remove dead branches in late winter or early spring.
- Over-pruning a tree can cause damage, so be careful not to clip away too much.
EditDisplaying a Bonsai Tree - Move the tree to a display container. When you deem the tree's shape to be finished, it's time to move it away from the training container. Beautiful ceramic and wooden containers are available for you to display your bonsai to best effect. Choose one that complements the bonsai style you have created. Be sure to repot it carefully so that the roots are not damaged, and use a container big enough to hold the amount of soil (and nutrients) that are necessary for the tree to stay healthy.
- Choose a container that is as long as your tree is tall. The thicker the trunk of your tree, the deeper the container should be.[9]
- Consider adding other features to the container. While the bonsai should be the star of the show, adding a few additional elements can add to the beauty of your bonsai display. Stones and rocks, shells, and tiny plants can be used to make the tree look as though it is part of a forest or beach scene.
- Be sure not to crowd the roots with stones or other objects.
- Adding some moss is a great way to create an intriguing display.
- Place the bonsai on a display stand. A beautiful bonsai deserves to be displayed like any other work of art. Choose a wooden or metal display stand and place it against a blank wall, so that the bonsai will stand out. Placing it near a window is a good idea since the bonsai will continue to need sunlight while it's on display. Continue watering, fertilizing, and caring for the bonsai, and your work of art will stay alive for many years.
- Trimming the tree is what causes it to stay small. Otherwise, it will outgrow its container.
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| How to Talk to a Girl You Like for the First Time Posted: 19 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT Maybe you have seen a girl around, and you have been dreaming about talking to her. It can definitely be a little nerve-wracking the first time you do it, but when you do, you open up the possibility of her liking you back! Start by looking at her body language to figure out when to approach her. Then, use a question or statement to open up the conversation. EditBreaking the Ice - Calm yourself down with deep breaths if you're feeling a little anxious. It's natural to get butterflies before you go and talk to someone you like! If you're nervous, try taking deep breaths. Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose to the count of 4. Hold it for 4 counts, then breathe out to the count of 4. Make sure you're taking deep breaths from your abdomen area. Do this breathing exercise a few times to help calm your nerves.[1]
- You can also take a few minutes to bolster yourself. Tell yourself you can do this! Also, put in perspective. What's the worst that could happen? If she doesn't want to talk to you, it will hurt, but it won't be the end of the world.
- Just say something to get the conversation going. The longer you wait to say something, the more likely you won't do it. You don't necessarily have to say anything brilliant! You just need to get the conversation going. Even a simple "Hi!" can do it.[2]
- You could also try saying something playful, like "I need help! I just can't make up mind. It's killing me. Should I get the chocolate chip cookie or the brownie??"
- Request something from her to encourage her to like you. No, don't go up and ask her for $100. Rather, ask her for a small favor. It seems weird, but when you ask someone for a favor, they want to give it to you. In fact, it tends to make them like you more.[3]
- Keep it simple, like "Could you pass the salt?" or "Would you mind handing me that creamer?"
- Make a comment about something you have in common to spark her interest. Believe it or not, you have something in common with everyone you meet! You just have to look around you and figure out what it is. Find something you can use to start a conversation. It doesn't have to be anything big.[4]
- For instance, if you're in school, you could say, "That test was a killer, wasn't it?"
- If you're at a coffee shop, you might say, "It's certainly cold enough outside!" or "This music is interesting, don't you think?" You could also try, "There's nothing like a warm cup of coffee on a cold day, is there?"
- Continue the conversation by responding to her statements. You'll need to go back and forth when talking to the girl you like! If she says something in response to your statement or question asking for a favor, talk back to her. Try to keep the topics happy and cheerful, as this is your first meeting.[5]
- For instance, she might say, "Yes, coffee is the best! It warms me up from the inside!" You could say, "I know! What's your favorite type of coffee drink?"
- Stay confident to show you're interested. When you're having a conversation with a girl for the first time, you may start to second-guess yourself or read things she's saying in a negative way. If you can, try to combat these thoughts. Keep smiling and asking questions. Stand up tall and speak in a clear voice.[6]
- Most people find confidence attractive. Even if you're not feeling confident, faking confidence is often enough. Plus, faking it with body language will make you feel more confident!
EditWatching for Body Language Cues - Smile at her and see if she returns it. A smile is a good indication she may want to talk to you. Flashing her a smile indicates you're happy to see her. If she gives you one back, you may want to approach her.[7]
- Look at her eyes to see if her smile seems real. If a smile is genuine, it will reach all the way to her eyes, and you'll be able to tell. If she's just being polite and smiling at you, the smile will look a little fake instead.[8]
- Check to see if the smile lifts her cheeks and crinkles her eyes, which is a sign it's genuine.
- See if she holds your gaze for a moment. Don't try to stare her down! However, if you catch her gaze, hold it for a few seconds while you smile at her. If she holds it, too, she may be showing signs of interest in you.[9]
- Watch for other signs of positive body language. Positive body language indicates she may be open to talking to you. You may notice she points her body your direction or that she uncrosses her arms or legs. She might play with her hair or fidget with her clothing.[10]
- Alternatively, if you see negative body language, you may want to wait to approach her. Signs of negative body language include her crossing her limbs, turning away from you, frowning, holding her body stiffly, or looking off to the side.
- Wait for another opportunity if she looks like she's having a bad day. If she's upset or looking sad, wait for another day. You're trying to approach her because you like her, but she's probably not in the frame of mine to reciprocate when she's in a bad mood.[11]
- Similarly, if she looks like she's hard at work on something, it's not the best time to approach.
EditMoving Forward with the Conversation - Listen to what she has to say. Any conversation is about give and take. Make sure to focus on what the person is actually saying so that you can respond to her. If you're not listening to her, the conversation will end quickly![12]
- No one likes to hear someone go on and on about themselves for 30 minutes. Encourage her to talk about herself instead!
- Use open-ended questions to continue the conversation. An open-ended question is just one that makes her give an answer besides "yes" or "no." It lets her talk about herself, which she'll likely be happy to do as long as she's not too shy.[13]
- For example, instead of asking, "Do you like rock music?" you could ask, "What's your favorite kind of music?"
- If she gives a short answer, ask a follow-up question, like "Who's your favorite pop singer?"
- Talk about yourself some. If she asks you questions, answer them honestly. While you don't want to drone on about yourself, the conversation should go back and forth. If you're not willing to talk about yourself at all, she may wonder what's wrong with you.[14]
- End the conversation on a positive note. If things are going well, try to set up something for another time. For instance, you could ask for her number so you could text or call, or you could ask for her social media handles so you can contact her that way.
- You could also open up the possibility for hanging out some other time. For instance, you might say, "Hey, you feel like getting coffee sometime?"
- Leave her alone if she doesn't want to talk. While it can make you sad or depressed if a girl doesn't want to talk to you, you still have to respect what she wants. If she doesn't want to have a conversation or doesn't want to go out with you, say "Thanks anyway!" and walk away.[15]
- It can be painful, but don't take it personally. You don't know what's going on in her head right now. She might just be too worried about her grade right now to think about going out with anyone.
EditConversation Help - If you're anxious at first, talk to her around other people until you feel comfortable talking to her by yourself. Be confident!
- If you really like that girl, try being friends with her first.
- Remember that each girl is different; no set of questions will work on every girl! Just be yourself and hope she likes you in return.
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