PC: Guinness World Records
A 180-pound pet pig in California has found an unusual way to make his wishes known, using 25 sound buttons to communicate with his owners. His owner, Mina Alali, began training him when he was just 2.5 months old, gradually introducing buttons linked to everyday words and commands. Merlin’s communication system is built around a set of 25 buttons placed on the floor of his family’s home. Mina started introducing commands when he was around 2.5 months old.
Guinness World Records reported that the training relied heavily on patience and positive reinforcement, with food serving as a particularly effective reward. Merlin can request food, ask to go outside, call his family and even express frustration when things do not go his way. Four years later, the pig has become a social media attraction, with videos of his interactions drawing millions of views and his Instagram account earning a Guinness World Records title. Each one plays a particular word or expression, allowing him to signal what he wants without making a sound himself. The vocabulary includes simple responses such as yes and no, requests for food and phrases connected to his feelings. The system has become part of his everyday routine, with Mina sharing recordings of his interactions online. Over the following four years, she developed his ability to respond to different sounds and use the buttons. Pigs are highly motivated by food, which made treats useful during the process. Mina also found that Merlin could become stubborn when something did not go his way. She has compared some of his reactions to those of a young child, particularly when he becomes impatient or frustrated. His routine includes breakfast and dinner, with fresh fruit and vegetables used as treats during training. When he wants to go outside, he can press the corresponding button. Merlin also lives alongside several other animals. His household includes a dog, a pigeon, another bearded dragon and three rats. His buttons give him a way to request attention from his owners or signal that he wants to interact with his animal companions.
Merlin joined Mina’s household in March 2022, fulfilling her long-standing wish to own a pig. The early months required considerable adjustment. He was vocal, frequently squealed and had not yet learned the behaviour expected of a household pet.