8 Boston Terrier Behavior Problems & Solutions

As a popular breed of dog in the United States, people always want to know about Boston terrier behavior problems before getting one.

In this post, we will outline and discuss some common Boston terrier behavior problems you should know.

Before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight: every behavior problem can be remedied; all you need is time, consistency, and experience.

Give your Boston terrier time and tolerance if he or she develops a new behavior problem; retraining can greatly assist you.

The main reason of negative behaviors in Boston terriers is a lack of basic socialization and obedient training, which may be remedied.

Boston Terrier Behavior Problems

Here are some common Boston terrier behavior problems you should know:

1. Jumping on people

Boston terriers are notorious for leaping and jumping on their owners in an attempt to greet you and convey their joy at your return.

While leaping is entertaining, it is not always appropriate, and this may quickly become a significant problem.

Boston terriers are known for jumping up and down to greet their owners and everyone else that enters the house, which can become a problem to some visitors.

Teaching your Boston terrier to contain their eagerness is one of the easy tactics you may use to keep a Boston terrier from jumping on you or another person.

Solution to Boston terrier jumping on people

Here are some general guidelines for preventing excessive jumping in Boston terriers:

  1. When your dog is on a leash, have someone come up to him.
  2. Before the individual approaches your dog, drop a few treats on the floor.
  3. Have the individual pet and welcome your dog while he or she is eating from the floor.
  4. Before your dog finishes eating, have the person back away from your dog.
  5. Repeat the processes above after a few repetitions, but this time extend the welcome by tossing treats all over the floor.
  6. Allow your dog to greet the person once all four feet are on the ground, and then drop the first treat.
  7. As your dog learns the rules, you may gradually reduce the number of treats you give him until just the greeting is left.

2. Separation anxiety

Separation anxiety in Boston terriers is a disorder that can occur when the dogs are separated from their owners for an extended length of time or even when they are not left alone unsupervised for an extended amount of time.

Separation anxiety in Boston terriers can result in undesirable behaviors such as biting, nipping, barking, self-isolation, injuries and chewing.

Separation anxiety in Boston terriers is caused by leaving them alone at home, which may be prevented by giving a buddy.

Solution to separation anxiety in Boston terriers

Some of the most common treatments for treating, halting, or avoiding separation anxiety in Boston terriers are as follows:

  1. Create a stress-free environment
  2. Desensitization and Counter-Conditioning
  3. Always turn on the radio or television when leaving
  4. Bring in a second pet
  5. Begin a crate training program that is suited for your dog.
  6. Consider hiring a dog sitter.
  7. Teach them to leave you alone and not follow you about when you’re at home.

3. Difficulty to house train

House-training is the process of teaching a domesticated animal who lives with its human owners in a house to defecate outside or in a designated indoor place rather than following its instinctual habit within the house at random.

Boston terriers, in my experience, are notoriously difficult to housebreak. Expect to train in a container for two to three months.

Even after you’ve completed your potty training, Boston terriers might make blunders. This is definitely one of the most common Boston terrier behavior problems.

Tips for house training Boston terriers

Here are some helpful tips to help you during house training a Boston terrier:

  1. When house training your Boston terrier, be careful not to overfeed him.
  2. When you’re not around, don’t put your Boston terrier on a leash throughout the house-training procedure.
  3. During the house-training procedure, do not cage your Boston terrier when you are not at home.
  4. Provide a variety of places for your Boston terrier to relieve himself during the process of house training.
  5. Take your Boston terrier to the bathroom before bedtime on a regular basis during the process of house training.
  6. Potty training should begin the day you receive your Boston terrier.
  7. If your Boston terrier makes a mistake, do not scream or strike him.
  8. Don’t alter your Boston terrier’s normal routine on a daily basis during the process of house training.
  9. Continue to feed at the same time and in the same manner during the process of house training your Boston terrier.
  10. Make the toilet as accessible as possible during the process of house training and after house training. 

4. Destructive chewing of furniture when bored

The most prevalent causes of destructive chewing in Boston terriers are depression, frustration, anxiety, tension, and loneliness, all of which can be triggered by separation anxiety.

If your Boston terrier is chewing everything he sees, something is wrong. It’s possible that it’s a symptom of separation anxiety.

Spray locations where you don’t want your Boston terrier to chew or conceal your valuables and electronic wires, according to some.

However, the truth is that you are not paying attention to your Boston terrier’s needs.

Why not determine out what’s causing the destructive gnawing and fix it once and for all, rather than spraying or hiding things?

You may get something for your Boston terrier to chew on if you want to keep him away from your valuables.

Solution to destructive chewing in Boston terriers

Here are some common solutions to destructive chewing in Boston terriers:

  1. Never let your Boston terrier get bored or lonely.
  2. Always keep your Boston terrier busy by your side.
  3. Invest in lots of chewing toys.
  4. Spray your furniture.
  5. Provide more mental stimulation.
  6. Provide more exercise for your Boston terrier.
  7. Puppy proofing your home.

5. Play aggression

This is one of the most prevalent and well-known sorts of Boston terrier behavior problems.

Growling, snarling, flashing teeth, lunging, and biting are all examples of play aggressiveness in Boston terriers.

It’s quite frequent among Boston terriers since their owners always tolerate or encourage it because they believe it’s the correct thing to do.

Play aggressiveness in Boston terriers develops gradually and, if not properly managed, can lead to major problems with your children and your dog.

Solution to Boston terriers play aggression

Here are some tips to help manage play aggression in Boston terriers:

  1. Begin by playing with your dog softly.
  2. Your dog’s socializing should begin at a young age.
  3. Plan play dates with other puppies and well-behaved adult dogs who can teach your puppy appropriate behavior.
  4. By neutering or spaying your dog, you can reduce hormone-driven aggression.
  5. When your dog engages in friendly play, praise him or her.
  6. Make a toy part of the equation.
  7. Always stop your dog from playing when a line is crossed.
  8. Stay off the floor if you have a boisterous Boston terrier.
  9. Encourage your Boston terrier to avoid aggressively seeking attention.
  10. Teach compliance demands and techniques.
  11. Positive reinforcement is the only way to go.

6. Chasing after other dogs or humans during walks

Pursuing other animals, humans, and vehicles, as well as chasing moving objects, are all examples of the Boston terrier’s excitement impulse.

Allowing your Boston terrier to become involved in chasing humans, birds, or other dogs can end in dangerous and tragic outcomes.

Chasing is rarely an issue with the Boston terrier dog since it was never designed with a predatory instinct but due to playing aggression or excitement they may often chase during walks

Boston terrier dogs enjoy playing tag with other dogs, which is usually a harmless pastime unless the chase takes place near a busy road, at which point it can become one of those deadly dog activities.

While you may not be able to stop your Boston terriers from chasing, you may take steps to avert disaster.

Solution to Boston terriers chasing behavior

Here are some useful tips to control Boston terrier chasing behavior:

  1. Keep your dog on a leash or in a fenced-in yard to prevent them from chasing after distractions.
  2. Don’t let your dog off the leash while you go for a walk.
  3. Work on impulse control with your dog and train them to come to you when you call.
  4. Early and appropriate socializing is beneficial.
  5. When it comes to other dogs, cats, or pets, teach your Boston terrier to remain calm.
  6. Train your Boston terrier to ignore distraction during walks with treats.
  7. Seek out the help of a dog behaviorist if you can’t still control your Boston terrier chasing things.

7. Always looking for attention

While this may be a problem for some, others may find it amusing to see your Boston terrier following you around the house begging for affection.

When a dog is in need of attention, it will bark, bite, or nip, and Boston terriers are no exception.

There is a limit to what is considered normal; if you don’t want a snuggle dog or a dog who seeks attention, Boston terriers are not for you.

Because Boston Terriers were developed mainly and selectively to be companion dogs that spend their days with their people.

Solution to Boston terriers constantly seeking attention

Simply establish a regular routine for them so that they receive what they require without having to ask or in your absence.

A series of activities will constantly keep them occupied, and they will not follow you around like flies. 

Read more about: Do Boston Terriers Bite: 10 Bite Triggers & Controls

8. Constantly begging for food

The enticing smiles on the faces of Boston terriers can be difficult to ignore as the owner, encouraging begging.

Begging is terrible behavior, but unfortunately, many dog owners promote it by feeding their dogs while they are eating.

This can lead to weight gain, digestive problems, and even persistent diarrhea.

To avoid this unpleasant behavior, the most basic method is to never promote it in the first place.

Solution to Boston terriers begging for food

Here are some tips to help control and stop your Boston terrier from begging:

  1. When your Boston terrier is begging for food, don’t stare at him.
  2. When your Boston terrier is begging for food, don’t talk to him.
  3. If he attempts to leap on you, twist and turn your back on him.
  4. Feed your Boston terrier right before you sit down to eat or at the same time you eat 
  5. Train your dog to do anything other than sit at the table asking for food.
  6. While you eat, put your Boston terrier in his box.
  7. While you dine, put your Boston terrier in another room.
  8. Place the bowl near the table so that your dog believes he is eating with you at mealtime.

These are the 8 most common Boston Terrier Behavior Problems you should know.

Read more: 30 Boston Terrier Pros And Cons You Should Know

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Samuel Ogbonna
Samuel Ogbonna

I'm Samuel Ogbonna, the founder of allpetspot.com. I grew up with lots of pets, with 15 years of experience living with pets. My love for pets made me start allpetspot.com, I'm here to share his experiences with pets.

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