Developed from a mix of English Bulldogs and white English Terriers, the breed descends from a dog named Judge, brought to America from England by William O’Brien and purchased by … Boston Terriers can be quite destructive if bored and many Boston Terriers have a tendency to dig. If they’ve got a bothersome behavior to correct, your dog is close to you at all times, and you can catch him in the act. You can also use it under the edge of a rug, if your pet is showing too much interest in your nice rug. That means many of them are unable to tolerate demanding exercise because they don’t have an adequate way to dispel heat. Boston Terriers love learning and are obedient so it is not hard to train them. 8. 7. Training is a must, but sometimes a dog is going to do what a dog is going to do - and you're right, sometimes you just have to shake your head and laugh at their antics. 2. Hooper’s Judge is the dog that would become the foundation of this breed. Boston Terrier Vs Pug Training. Boston Terriers are smart enough to figure out how to open cabinets and pry lids off of containers. gracenotes (author) from North Texas on September 19, 2011: Getting them past the "rip up paper stage" is difficult indeed. You might not have the same grooming needs as you would with other dogs, but there are nutritional guidelines you must follow to the letter. First, wear a belt around your waist, put your dog on-leash, and tie the end of the leash to your belt. I'm glad to say she has never destroyed furniture, though. According to the book The Intelligence of Dogs, by Stanley Coren, the ten most intelligent dog breeds do not include the terrier group. Many years ago we started with the powerful Champion lines of Raja (pic below) and kept only a few females from our litters to keep his lines going. ; Sociable: This dog is often well-mannered around people, especially since it is eager to please its owner.Besides, early socialization plays a key role in keeping Boston Terriers obedient and sensitive toward people and other animals. I recommend keeping your dog on-leash with you for ten days to two weeks. This group is designated the “excellent working dog” group. It’s almost as if she wants more attention, and any kind of attention, even negative attention, will work for her. I'll have to try that. Teaching your dog a complicated trick is a good mental exercise that may tire your dog (remember how you felt after you finished taking a difficult exam?) If these dogs get bored, then they are going to become destructive. A: Because Boston Terriers are a favorite breed amongst people living in apartments, they often get a bad reputation as destructive chewers. I know your terrier is cute. It’s not that hard—honest! Boston Terriers are very individualistic: Some are high-spirited and clownish, while some are calm and dignified, even placid. 4. In reality, many Bostons chew up furniture, objects, clothing, and shoes because they are anxious or bored: apartment or condo-dwellers often leave their dogs at home uncrated most of the day while they’re at work. I’ve decided that her worst times for destructive behavior are when I’m on the computer for more than a few minutes. They’ll reach a height of about 17 inches as an adult, with the maximum “normal” weight for the dog at 25 pounds. I still don’t have a solid and consistent “down” for Meadow, and we’ve been practicing for two weeks. These dogs like to have a spot that feels safe and a place to call their own, so this can be positive if you’re willing to be the leader. Named after his city of origin—Boston, Massachusetts—the Boston Terrier is as American as apple pie and baseball. When you add in the shorter muzzle with their facial features, these pups tend to be more prone to suffering injuries when making contact with plants, thorns, or other forms of natural debris. Even if you are successful, a moment of uncontrolled excitement will have the dog jumping at someone once again. Dedicate that ten days to working hard with your dog. Talk to your vet about this. Meadow takes a breather on her daily walk. June 18, 2020. They are also emotionally intelligent. If you want to purchase a puppy from a championship bloodline, then you’re going to pay several thousand dollars for the privilege of ownership. Boston Terriers are one of the most popular terriers – and for good reason! The Pet Corrector is in a red can with white lettering, and it can also serve as a visual deterrent if you rest it on a forbidden object like a keyboard or a rug. This gives him something to do while you are teaching and reinforcing obedience commands. Then, if your dog ignores your warning, you can press the button. These two are common breeds and make excellent pets in terms of personality. Boston terriers thrive in all kinds of homes. I own all of these aids, and I recommend them all very highly. She was destroying my furniture so I decided to keep her outside at night. Now that we know the exercise needs are being taken care of, it’s time for two things. Boston Terriers are rightfully known to be dapper dogs, as their demeanor is sophisticated yet sporty. You can expect that some retribution will come your way if they feel like you’re being unfair to them. Your dog really gets off on carrying small throw rugs around and shaking them. For the Boston terriers, a few walks a day or moderate ball play is a better choice than long, hard runs. Try to walk your terrier at least once per day for 30 minutes. Caring Companion: Boston Terriers are among the few breeds that were originally bred for companionship, making them excellent dogs for kids and elderly people. The charm and spunk will still be there, but your possessions will be spared. Don’t worry. It’s absolutely essential that you drain some of your dog’s energy on a daily schedule before you can have one prayer of stopping his destructive tendencies. If you can give your Boston Terrier a healthy lifestyle and figure out a beneficial nutritional plan, then you can maximize the life expectancy of the dog. This little alarm works best if you put it under a single object like a pillow or a piece of clothing. They tend to be very friendly with strangers, so be prepared to have social exchanges with others when you go for a walk. Be patient, and you’ll see results. And that’s mainly because he usually got a piece of your mind when he was observed with a piece of your mail in his mouth. They won’t bark at the stranger who comes to your front door. She sleeps in the balcony under cover, but lately she's been destroying everything she can. That usually means your bed, the couch, or some other place that you don’t want them to be. Another dog breed that I just love, by the way. You are going to need to provide your Boston Terrier with a high level of mental stimulation to keep them active and physical. There's not a bathmat she doesn't want to carry around. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. A sensitive digestive system is also typical of Boston Terriers with flatulence commonly being associated with poor diet in the breed. A trip to the vet can help you to get some suggestions on how much to offer and when if you’re struggling with this disadvantage. Above all, remember that you’ve got to change your attitude toward your terrier. As long as you don't fold and unfold the Sofa Scram too much, it will last. Boston Terriers are one of the most social dogs you can bring home. Look down a little farther on this article, and I’ve posted a couple of photos of miniature schnauzer destruction in my house. It causes the dog to lean forward onto their forelegs, which makes the back develop an unnatural curvature that severely impacts the quality of life for the pup. Because of the specialized dietary concerns that are present with Boston Terriers, you will need to be careful about the treats that you give your dog. The naughty, feisty, bossy, mischievous, and manipulative terrier has an outsized personality. But at least, you can greatly improve his destructive tendencies through obedience, re-direction, games, and exercise. This mixed-breed dog, with his dark brindle color and white blaze, became known as Hooper’s Judge. The Boston Terrier loves to be around people. Twice per day is better, but if you can’t, there are games and other physical activities that will help. I look forward to seeing more of your work. At the time, bulldog and terrier mixes were used for the horrific sport of dog fighting and bullbaiting, and it is believed t… Yeah, Meadow has conquered some of her more obnoxious forms of destruction; however, others I still have to be vigilant about. I know this too well. She has to give me a reminder that she's hungry. I’m going to assume that you already provide enough exercise for your terrier. You bet they do. Keep treats nearby while you are on the computer, and praise him when he lies quietly at your feet. Because I want you to know that there is a reason why your terrier is harder to train. He continued, however, to show a lack of respect regarding your possessions, because either you weren’t consistent enough with your corrections, or his energy wasn’t drained properly, or some other reason that is patently obvious. Due to their shortened muzzles, many Boston Terriers cannot tolerate excessively hot or cold weather and demanding exercise under such conditions can cause them harm. The Boston Terrier is named after the breed’s Boston, Massachusetts origins. Matter of fact we have 3 females. If you are not willing to be the pack leader in your home, then the Boston Terrier is going to take over that role. I used Bjelland’s book, Imagine Life With a Well-Behaved Dog as a guide. These are some suggested ways to provide mental stimulation for your Boston terrier – Puzzle toys – see here for suggested puzzle toys Keep practicing the commands, and eventually, take a step up and work with distractions. These dogs experience high levels of flatulence when their nutritional needs are not being met in some way. He now exists to please you, and he will learn to live within your rules, boundaries, and limitations, as Cesar Millan often says. These dogs have a sensitive digestive system. It helps to have someone at your house, condo, or apartment throughout the day to reduce the problems that can happen in this area. To this day, Boston Terriers are a point of hometown pride. We’ll get there. Very informative! This is great information for any breed. Boston Terriers have shortened muzzles when compared to most other dog breeds. This breed stays relatively quiet when you are at home. I have two almost 2 year old boston terriers. All dogs will bark at stimulating circumstances, such as when a squirrel runs in front and their prey drive kicks into full gear. In 1865, Robert C. Hooper, a resident of Boston, purchased an English Bulldog–white English Terrier cross. The animal was purchased from Edward Burnett, and it was a Terrier and Bull type of dog from that era. But, perhaps it works best if you give a verbal warning first. Some elements of high-maintenance exist when you decide to bring a Boston Terrier home as a pet. 6. :). But in general, the Boston Terrier is an altogether dapper and charming little dog. My miniature schnauzer, Meadow, gets walked 1.5 miles every morning, and I plan to do even more daily walking once we get past this heat wave here in Texas. The Boston Terrier is a low-maintenance breed that requires minimal grooming. Silver Poet from the computer of a midwestern American writer on September 18, 2011: I love terriers. If that isn’t a possibility, then try to come home on your lunch break to play with your pup a little. 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