Good cop, bad cop.

[Wilbur&Otis]

This might sound really petty but it is really bothering me so I'm going to write it anyway...

With the recent vet trip and my monitoring Otis / handling him to check him over a fair bit (he's had a 'boar bits' problem) I have become the bad cop and he runs for cover when he sees me coming. He does come out when he decides I'm not about to pick him up but he's very wary of me.
Meanwhile my boyfriend (whom I live with) has been feeding the piggies veg through the cage bars a lot inbetween meal times. Otis now comes running and wheeking / chewing at the bars when he sees or hears him! It's very cute but I'm upset that the more this happens the more my boyfiend is feeding him and the less the piggies bond with me. They don't want to come out for lap time when they have another veg source.

I had a bit of a sulk last night about it and asked the boyfriend to stop feeding them through the bars and to let me just feed them for a bit as I do all the cleaning and daily looking after and want the piggies to associate me with food too. Now I feel a bit childish and I know my boyfriend will be feeding them anyway... Otis is irresistably cute. Anyway - just wanted to put this out there incase anyone else has been in this position and can offer any advise or just make me feel better.

 

[twiams]

My boyfriends mum walks in and the pigs run over to her, but not to me or my boyfriend there actual owners because we do all the nasty bits !
With my boys i just take them out for a tv watch with me, for about an hour i just let them sit on my shoulder or lap whatever they prefer and then keep a pile of food with me, usually small apple pieces or grapes and then just randomly i'll feed a little bit, i won't do it for a reason just randomly.

It's a case of still being firm with them and always letting them have down time of a few weeks between any nasty jobs.

 

[Max&Ruby]

Just consider yourself a piggy Mommy. I have this same problem and feelings when it comes to my 3 year old daughter and everyone else who loves to spoil her. Your the Mom and you know you have to do what is right for your pigs in order to give the best care, prepare them for a healthy life, it is not easy. Hopefully it holds true with your piggy children as it does with human children, don't let it get down, just hold your head up high and know your doing what has to be done even though your piggies will know it. I'd start calling Mum Grandma, cause it sounds like she is a true Grandma to the piggies. and Daddy's always from my experience, or just the good Daddy's always sneak behind Mommy's back and do things with their children Mommy doesn't always approve of.

 

[piggyfan]

Aww no wonder you are feeling sad about it. I know how you feel. I have a little piggy called Amina. I hold her everyday,give her treats,kiss her and love her and yet she cannot stand me! She happily sits with my boyfriend but with me she will dig as though she is trying to get away.