THE PORCINE® 4-STEP HARNESSING PROCESS™
Building confidence, one step at a time.
A gentle, confidence-building approach to help your mini pig go from curious to comfortable wearing their harness.
Confidence comes before the first walk.
Use Our Harness, or Use the One You Already Have
The PORCINE® process works with any harness. It’s not about the equipment—it’s about helping your mini pig feel comfortable and confident wearing it
one step at a time.
The PROCESS
Harness the Joy™
One Simple Step
at a Time.
Building familiarity, trust, and confidence at your pig’s pace.
Trust Follows Safety
Your first goal isn’t putting the harness on— it’s to help your pig feel safe with it.
With every new experience, your pig is asking, “Am I safe?”
When you give your pig time to feel comfortable, you help them find their answer.
“Safety Comes Before Cooperation.”
Meet the Harness
Curiosity Comes Before Cooperation
Let your pig see, sniff, and explore the harness at their own pace.
These calm introductions help curiosity grow into familiarity, laying the foundation for trust.
— Let curiosity do the work.
WHAT TO DO
• Place the harness on the floor in a familiar space during quiet time.
• Let your pig approach, sniff, and investigate without moving it toward them.
• Keep these interactions unhurried, taking as long as your pig needs before moving on to the next step.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
You want your pig to choose to approach, sniff, and sometimes even chew their harness, exploring with relaxed body language.
They can move away and return without feeling pressured.
Look for growing comfort over 2-3 repeated introductions before moving to Step 2.
PORCINE® TIP
Give your pig room to say “not yet.” If they hesitate, startle, or back away, leave the harness still and allow more space.
There’s no need to put it on during this step.
Feel the Harness
FAMILIARITY BUILDS TRUST
Gently introduce the feel of the harness against your pig’s body. Building on Step 1, these calm, predictable touches help familiarity grow into trust.
— Feel the harness before wearing it.
WHAT TO DO
• Gently rub or glide the harness along your pig’s sides and back.
• Start with gentle, light contact, then gradually build on what they comfortably accept.
• Keep your movements slow and take your time with this step.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
You want your pig to remain relaxed as the harness touches their body, without stiffening, flinching, or trying to move away.
Look for ease and comfort with this contact before introducing the harness underneath their body in Step 3.
PORCINE® TIP
If your pig pulls away, pause and make the next touch smaller or shorter.
Return to Step 1 if they need more time to explore. Give them time to feel safe before asking for more.
Build Confidence
Trust Grows Into Confidence
Now you’re helping your pig get comfortable feeling the harness underneath their body.
Building on Step 2, this small next step will help build the trust your pig needs before moving on to Step 4.
— Build confidence before asking for cooperation.
WHAT TO DO
• Gently glide the harness underneath your pig’s body, behind their front legs.
• Start with brief contact. As your pig becomes comfortable, practice cinching the harness on their back with your hand so they can begin to feel the harness around their entire body.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
You want your to pig stay relaxed as the harness moves underneath their body.
Look for comfort without stiffening, freezing, or backing away before moving to Step 4.
Their continued focus on treats rather than trying to shake the harness off is a good sign they’re comfortable enough to move on to Step 4!
PORCINE® TIP
Backing away is your cue to pause. Return to the gentle contact of Step 2 and give your pig more time to feel comfortable.
You can try underneath again when they’re ready.
Fasten & Adjust
Confidence Leads to Cooperation
This is where the preparation in Steps 1–3 comes together. Your pig has explored the harness, become familiar with its feel, and built confidence—laying the foundation for them to willingly cooperate with fastening the harness.
Gently put on the harness and adjust for a secure, comfortable fit.
— Where preparation becomes cooperation.
WHAT TO DO
• Say “harness” as you begin, then calmly put it on.
• With the PORCINE® double-loop harness, place the Body Loop first, then the Neck Loop.
• Adjust gently, following the fitting instructions for your harness.
WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR
Some slight hesitation in this step is okay. You just don’t want them to be fully resistant.
You want them to move naturally without becoming spooked or stressed.
Look for comfort with wearing it before introducing leash guidance.
PORCINE® TIP
Cooperation grows through practice.
Keep these first moments brief and familiar, and return to an earlier step if your pig seems unsure.
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Slide the Body Loop over the head and settle behind the front legs.
Made for Your Pig. Ready for Life Together.
Keep building on the trust you’ve started.
With its pig-specific double-loop design, the PORCINE® Mini Pig Harness & Leash supports comfortable harnessing—and more joyful moments together!
THE PAYOFF
Little Steps. More Joy Together.
Let’s Celebrate Your Progress
A curious sniff. A relaxed moment in the harness. Your first walk together. We’d love to celebrate these little wins with you.
Share a photo or video on Instagram, tag @joyofpigs.co, and add #HarnessTheJoy.