Boston Terriers are easy to live with, and are adjustable to a city apartment, or a large country setting. They're easy to train, because they wish to please their owners. Bostons should be house dogs, since they aren't able to stand extreme cold or heat. They will overheat very quickly because they have a short muzzle and an elongated palate.
BT's are active dogs. They enjoy and need daily exercise. Things such as playing fetch, playing with their owners (and their children), walking, and running are suitable and enjoyed by the breed. Children MUST be taught how to handle the puppy/dog, or the dog will defend itself if it feels in danger. Grooming with almost any brush is good, doing so about once a week is needed. Nails should be clipped and ears should be kept clean.
and Uxbridge Animal Hospital, Inc. - Uxbridge, MA - (508) 278-5869
House Training
Most problems with dogs that are not housebroken are really owner problems. Most dogs can be trained in 2-3 weeks with the "Direct Training Method" which is outlined here. If this training method is followed with a fair and firm attitude by the owner, the training will be short and you will soon have a happy and trained dog. The three main elements of this method are CONTAINMENT, PRAISE, and COMMITMENT. It is NOT mean to contain a dog while housetraining him/her. Letting the dog have the run of the house is the most common reason why dogs go untrained for long periods of time.
CONTAINMENT:
Keep the dog kenneled or on a short (6ft) leash while in the house until trained. During this period he/she should not be allowed free run of the house - keep confined to a very small area. This will make is difficult for the pup to make mistakes as dogs are very reluctant to soil their den area.
PRAISE: Praise the puppy every time he eliminates where you want him to go. Pick one spot where he/she prefers to go and return to it on each visit outside.
COMMITMENT:
Allow for scheduled outdoor trips not more than 3 hours apart regardless of the weather and without fail the first week. Commit your own time or have others help you keep the schedule. As a general rule, the younger the pup, the more he/she will need to go out. As bladder control increases, which is noticeable by the lack of mistakes and fewer instances of urination on trips outdoors, the length of time between excursions can be increased.
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
FOOD:
Feed your pet according to your veterinarian's instructions. During training, keep the dog on a regular food schedule with the same diet. This will make the dog somewhat regular in it's elimination habits and will make it easier to predict when a walk is needed. If the dog is on a regular schedule, he/she will have a bowel movement within an hour of eating. It is easier to predict elimination if food is picked up 15-20 minutes after it is offered. Do not feed the dog free choice DURING training. It is important to feed the dog the right amount of food. Start with the recommended amount on the package. If the dog's stools are loose, cut the ration in 10% increments until it is firm again. If the stool is too dry, increase the ration in 10% increments until it is firm and moist. Do not change the diet without consulting your veterinarian especially during training. Changing the diet upsets the dog and increases his/her anxiety level. Make sure the same feeding schedule is followed on weekends to avoid confusion.
WATER:
Take away all water sources 1 1/2 to 2 hours before bedtime to avoid mistakes overnight.
WALKS: The puppy should be taken outside to eliminate:
1. First thing in the morning as soon as you wake
2. 10-15 minutes after eating for young puppies, 1/2-1 hour for older pups
3. After the pup has drunk water
4. After an episode of extreme excitement
5. After he/she wakes from a nap
6. Whenever you see him/her sniffing the floor and/or squatting
CLEAN UP:
Use a 50/50 solution of luke warm water and white vinegar to clean up accidents. Never let the dog see you clean up his/her messes! If the pup is prone to night time mistakes, have the pup sleep in the same room with you with a bell tied to his/her collar to warn you when he/she gets restless. The main reasons for failure of housetraining are:
1. Lack of commitment or understanding of the housetraining methods by the owner including the inability to take the dog out at frequent intervals - families where both adults work.
2. Lack of containment - the dog is allowed full run of the house so that he/she is seldom caught in the act of voiding in an inappropriate place. Correction only works at the time of the incident and lack of proper corrections lets the dog believe that is it okay to eliminate in the house.
3. Lack of praise - no one is present when the dog eliminates in the right place to reinforce the appropriate behavior.
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