Biting/Nipping- Solo Boar

[xRoan]

Hi!

We have a solo boar at our store that got put in time-out because he was harassing all of the other males. He’s about a month older and, I’m assuming, coming into his hormones. I’ve named him Meatloaf because he’s a chunky boy haha.

Lately, he’s been biting/nipping at everyone, customers and employees. I’m considering taking him, getting him neutered, and attempting to bond him to the quartet after expanding the run. I’m assuming that he’s biting and nipping because he doesn’t like being handled, but is there any way to curb the behavior or get him more comfortable? Yesterday, he grabbed the shirt of an interested party in his mouth, put his paws on either side, and pulled up and just held that position, even as she tried to put him down.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Caramelchip18]

He might be timid/scared and sometimes some don’t ever feel comfortable being held. You can try to take him with the usual techniques, food, soft voice etc and waiting it out to see if his hormones settle.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

We have a solo boar at our store that got put in time-out because he was harassing all of the other males. He’s about a month older and, I’m assuming, coming into his hormones. I’ve named him Meatloaf because he’s a chunky boy haha.

Lately, he’s been biting/nipping at everyone, customers and employees. I’m considering taking him, getting him neutered, and attempting to bond him to the quartet after expanding the run. I’m assuming that he’s biting and nipping because he doesn’t like being handled, but is there any way to curb the behavior or get him more comfortable? Yesterday, he grabbed the shirt of an interested party in his mouth, put his paws on either side, and pulled up and just held that position, even as she tried to put him down.

Any advice is appreciated!

Hi and welcome

Please take the time to read up on our 'piggy whispering' tips, with the help of which you can sort out the nipping and tweaking by dealing with it the way a socially adept piggy would deal with a naughty or fear-aggressive youngster.

It means that your boy will get a message that he will instinctively and and instantly understand and that is framed in a way that makes total sense to him. The piggy whispering techniques have successful in surprisingly short time with those piggies I have adopted because they were stuck in rescue for that reason. Always mix any corrective messages with plenty of affirmation of love and still being a welcome member of your group and always start and end with affirming your love.

Here are the links:
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you? (deals with the naughty side of things)

You may also find the information in these guide links helpful in view of your longer term plans:
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Closer Look At Pairs (Boars - Sows - Mixed) (A lot of the issues concerning mixed pairs and initial acceptance are also relevant for introducing a neutered boar to a sow group)