Boston Terriers are very happy animals. They love their master and will follow you to the ends of the earth if they feel that you need them to. They are very loyal to their owner and pick up on the feelings of that human above all others. They are also capable of extreme things if you take the time to train them properly. Because of this, you need to focus on positive reinforcement training for Boston Terriers if you want to ensure that they remain happy, and happy to please, dogs.
Establish Your Leadership
When dealing with all dog breeds, it is important that you establish yourself and your other family members as the “leader of the pack”. By nature, they want you to be in control so that they can simply enjoy living in your home as a part of your pack. They like the positive things that come from obeying you. Boston Terriers are no exception. If you do not establish that you are the one leading your pack, they will attempt to do so as well. This can make them do things that you do not want them to do. By showing them that you are in control, they are going to be happier dogs. Especially once they understand the pros and cons of following your lead.
Be Gentle but Firm
Boston Terriers respond well to calm voices. If you try to speak harshly or yell at them, they will be less inclined to turn to you as their leader. They may become more stubborn and even shy away from you. This is because they are good-natured, loving animals. They will respect you more if you learn simple commands that they can understand, such as sit, down, or no instead of being “angry” with them. Treats are a great reward for when your terrier has done something you want them to do, but you should not exclusively use treats. Boston Terriers love food and it can lead to obesity if you are not careful when training them. Instead, you may want to praise, petting, and give them special play time instead of snacks to encourage good behavior. Changing it up will also ensure that they do not rebel if you suddenly stop giving treats for laying down.
Be Consistent
Terriers love consistency. If you tell them, “No” for something this time, tell them “No” next time as well. They can feel as if they disappoint their leader if you allow them to do something several times and then suddenly tell them that it is wrong. If you are working on housebreaking them, remain consistent and firm. Punish them for the messes that you see them make by telling them no and taking them to a better spot. If they are barking every time someone comes over, tell them quiet and put them in their crate. This will show them that if they are noisy, they will have to go away for a bit if you do it all the time.