There’s a new celebrity in the making in Buckinghamshire, Wilma the lead-walking piglet!
Wilma the piglet is learning to walk on a lead, as part of her training to become one of the famous “show pigs” at Kew Little Pigs in Amersham. And if early signs are anything to go by, she’s absolutely loving the spotlight.
Farm hand Amelia Johns has been patiently working with the adorable youngster, gently introducing her to a harness and lead, rewarding calm behaviour and building Wilma’s confidence step by step. The goal is to prepare her for a very special role, heading out into the community to bring joy to care homes, schools and events as part of the farm’s enrichment visits.
Owner Olivia Mikhail said Wilma has already shown she has star quality.
“Wilma is incredibly bright and curious, which is exactly what we look for in our show pigs,” she said. “Lead training is all about trust and positive reinforcement. We never rush them. It’s about making sure they feel safe, confident and happy every step of the way. Wilma has taken to it brilliantly, she really enjoys the interaction and the mental stimulation.”
The show pigs are carefully chosen and trained to meet members of the public, offering hands-on educational sessions and therapeutic visits. From schoolchildren learning about animal care and empathy to elderly residents enjoying sensory enrichment sessions, the pigs have become beloved ambassadors for their species.
And it’s no surprise they take to training so well. Pigs are widely regarded as being as intelligent as dogs, capable of learning commands, solving problems and even responding to their names. At Kew Little Pigs, enrichment is a key part of daily life, with puzzles, social interaction and gentle training sessions keeping their clever minds engaged.
This week Amelia also demonstrated her pig-whispering credentials by teaching Wilma, Theo and Douglas to sit and stay, proving that with patience pigs can master impressive skills.
“People are often amazed at how quickly they learn,” added Olivia. “They genuinely enjoy training. It strengthens the bond between pig and handler and gives them a sense of achievement. Watching that lightbulb moment when they understand something new is just wonderful.”
Wilma’s lead-walking lessons come at an exciting time for the award-winning farm, which is gearing up for a packed calendar of events including two summer festivals in July.
To find out more about the farm’s calendar go to www.kewlittlepigs.com type in pigsdiscount24 at the online checkout to get 20% off a pet and play session.
“I joined the team in September of 2021 as a Farm Hand. This was my first proper job and the experience was very insightful as working with animals there is never a dull moment. I have always loved animals and have had many different animals growing up such as guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs and horses so I knew the animal industry was a career I would like to be involved in. Since joining Kew Little Pigs Farm I have had the opportunity to care for the animals and share my knowledge with all the customers that have visited the farm. I was promoted to Head Farm Hand in January 2023.
I look forward to my journey here at Kew Little Pigs Farm and hope to see you on the farm soon!”
