It was not until Monster Hunter 2 where the hunter can dress up their Piggie different costumes.
A successful press of the button when a "!" symbol appears over the Piggie's head, will make it jump up and hearts will appear. If you wait a few seconds afterwards before leaving the area, your piggie will start following you around. However it is quite slow.
In monster Hunter 3, if you take your pig into your home at night and set it down, after a few seconds it will lay down and start sleeping.
It is rumored (but never has been proven) that snuggling with the pig gives the hunter good luck on carving rare items.
The ability for the hunter to give it a name chosen among the list of available names is also introduced to this game. This is only in Monster Hunter 3, as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd does not have this feature.
Asides from petting, the hunter can also carry the Piggie and take it around Moga Village and the farm.
The Naked Emperor - This outfit and title is an allusion to the children's book, The Emperor's New Clothes. It comes default with the game.
Memorial Stripes - The original clothing for Piggie in the original Monster Hunter. This also comes default with the game.
Charming Pink - A Piggie costume in Monster Hunter Freedom 2. This costume is Unlocked by importing your save data Monster Hunter Freedom. Also available in Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.
Black Green Clash - Fashioned after a slice of a Watermelon, this costume in Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite can be unlocked by fully upgrading the Pokke Farm's Field Row.
Angel Leotard - The first Downloadable Piggie costume.
Famitsu Suit - Another Downloadable Piggie costume. This one is exclusive to MHP2ndG.
Sleepy Pig White - A Downloadable Piggie costume.
Pig Maid - This maid outfit is found only in MHF.
Magician Pig - This magicians cape and hat is found only in MHF.
Mafumofu Jumpsuit - This costume is exclusive to Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.
To obtain a Piggie in Frontier, you must at least have 30 points obtained from the Park. The Piggie would be in your farm. Another 30 points is need for it to have a trampoline so it can go with the hunter on quests. Piggies give items to the hunter in-quest.
Piggie is available as a companion in PlayStation Home when setting up a PSP Ad-Hoc Party game in Monster Hunter Portable. This is only available in Japan.