With their expressive faces, tuxedo style coloring, and fierce loyalty, Boston Terriers are one of the best dog breeds there are. These little guys are very intelligent, playful, and intuitive. They do pretty well in any environment and make excellent family dogs.
They also get along quite well with other pets (so long as they all know who’s boss!) However, before you rush out to your favorite animal shelter, there are a few things that you should consider prior to adopting one of these awesome canines.
One of the main frustrations with this breed is that they are known for being stubborn, as well as easily distracted (Oh look a SQUIRREL!!!!), so house training can take time and patience to achieve. So, are Boston Terriers hard to train? No. Not if you do it correctly.
House Training a Boston Terrier
House training is not the most fun thing in the world, even if it is a necessity. House training is a blanket term for potty and behavioral training. When it comes to bathroom basics, you’ll need to decide which method you will be using.
Will your Boston be using potty pads indoors, or will the great outdoors be his proverbial porcelain throne? Both take perseverance and persistence, although your pooch will have to learn different cues for the two separate methods.
Boston Terrier Temperament
Bostons want to please their humans, nonetheless, that pesky characteristic stubbornness also plays a massive role in the training process, obviously. But, Bostons’ can also be incredibly sweet, loving, and protective.
They are typically very smart, so the capacity to learn is there, you just have to use the right technique to flip the switch. I have a great article here on Boston Terrier temperaments if you want to learn more.
Things That Can Help With Housebreaking
The bond between you and your Boston is inherently important, especially when it pertains to successful training. Without that relationship, your efforts are almost sure to fail. Once you have established that connection, you would do well abiding by the three P’s, Patience, Persistence, and Praise.
You really need to go into this endeavor with the notion that this is going to take lots of love and patience.
Start Early
The most important part of training is you, the owner. Start training your Boston Terrier early. Leash training means you keep the pup attached to you at all times. This gets the dog used to boundaries, schedules, and rules.
Schedules are an important part of puppy training. If the dog is under six months, taking them out every twenty minutes to an hour is standard if you re looking for a consistent training experience. The younger the dog, the more often they should be taken out.
Use Crate Training
Boston’s are stubborn. They’re smart when it comes to playing new games and learning new tricks. But when it comes to establishing a schedule and rules they can find a hard time adapting.
Crate training helps establish boundaries. It needs to be a small enough crate that a full-grown Boston can stand up and walk around, and small enough that your pup can’t get too far away to make a mess. A great trick is to line the pup’s bed with an old t-shirt. This gets your dog used to your scent and helps make training easier.
Be Consistent
Consistency is important when it comes to dog training. That means sticking to your schedule and staying away from training pads. Pads may seem like a good short-term solution, but in reality, they might just make it tougher for your Boston to transition to doing his business outside. Make it easier by providing signals where you want him to go, and stay away from messy pads.
Learn the Dogs Signals
One oft he best things about leash training is that it gets you and your dog used to each other. Pay attention to your dog’s signals as you’re training. It s the best way to learn when he needs to go. Watch for whining, pawing, and pacing. You can train your dog to sit in front of the door, or ring a bell, or choose your own signals. Don t forget to provide plenty of praise
Have Patience
Many first-time dog owners have unrealistic expectations about their puppy’s training. It s important to be patient, If you see the dog make a mess during training, stop what you re doing, and hurry them outside.
If you spot a mess in your house, it’s important to remember your Boston probably doesn’t even remember making it. Punishment won’t do the trick.
It s normal for housebreaking Boston terriers to take 6- 8 months or even a year, Keep at it, and remember to be consistent.
Mistakes to Avoid
Not Using Positive Reinforcement
Training a Boston Terrier should always be a positive experience. You’ll need to keep treats, and other rewards, well-stocked.
Not Keeping His Attention
These dogs tend to have short attention spans and can get bored easily. They then become distracted, preventing any new information from being absorbed. You typically want to keep training sessions, to under 10 minutes.
Not Taking It Slowly
Be consistent, of course, but do not rush. Allowing your pooch to take in the current lesson before jumping to another one can greatly increase your chances of dog training success.
Dogs are pack animals, YOU are the leader of your dogs’ pack. This means that he looks to you for guidance and not training him properly is not doing either of you any favors. Rebuking your dog for mistakes is not going to do any good.
The lack of praise and/or rewards can usually get the message across. Reprimanding can cause him to lose interest in learning altogether. Treat it as a fun activity that you can share with your best fur-buddy and actually enjoy the time spent together.
Good Luck!
You may also like:
- Boston Terrier Breed – Guide and Information
- How Often Should You Cut Your Dog’s Nails?
