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Summary of Description:
Daisy and Dixie, two Kunekune pigs, undergo training to make their daily care stress-free. They allow keepers to examine their teeth by voluntarily opening their mouths and following a target for positioning during monitoring and maintenance. After successfully following commands, they receive snacks and scratches. They also practice foraging behaviors with an enrichment stick when not training.
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Kunekune pig sisters Daisy and Dixie live at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas. These adorable pigs participate in a daily training regimen that helps their caretakers ensure their daily care is as stress-free as possible.
Voluntarily Examining Teeth
These intelligent pigs are trained to step up on a stool and open their mouths so their keepers can examine their teeth. This is a voluntary behavior, meaning the pigs are trained to do it without any physical force or coercion. This is crucial because stress can hurt animals’ health, so keeping the pigs as calm and relaxed as possible is essential to their well-being.
Following Targets
In addition to examining their teeth, the pig sisters are trained to follow a target. This helps their keepers position them where needed for tasks like weighing, monitoring mobility, and day-to-day care. Again, this behavior is voluntary, so the pigs are not forced to do anything they’re uncomfortable with.
Snacks and Scratches
As any pet owner knows, positive reinforcement is an excellent way to encourage good behavior. When the pig sisters successfully follow a command, they get a snack and scratches. This not only makes them happy and reinforces the behavior, but it also helps them build a strong bond with their caretakers.
Napping and Foraging
Like all animals, pigs need variety to avoid boredom or stress. When they’re not training, Daisy and Dixie can be found napping next to one another or practicing their natural foraging behaviors with an enrichment stick packed with goodies. This helps keep them mentally stimulated and happy.
Conclusion
When animals voluntarily participate in their care, it makes the process less stressful for everyone involved. Training pigs like Daisy and Dixie helps ensure their well-being and makes their caretakers’ jobs easier. And, let’s face it, who doesn’t love watching cute animals like these do their thing?
If you’re ever in Texas, stop by the Fort Worth Zoo and say hi to Daisy and Dixie. They’ll be happy to show you their impressive dental exams and target-following skills and maybe even give you a snort and a tail wag.
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Source Description
Kunekune pig sisters Daisy and Dixie participate in training activities to ensure their daily care is as stress-free as possible. The pigs voluntarily step up on a stool and open their mouths, allowing keepers to see inside and examine their teeth. They also follow a target to help keepers position the animals where they may need them (helpful for weighing, monitoring mobility, and day-to-day care). After successfully following the command, the girls get a snack and scratches for a job well done! When they aren’t training, they’re either napping next to one another or practicing their natural foraging behaviors with an enrichment stick packed with goodies!
