aggresive to strangers

by toni
(england)

Hi I have a 3month old girl Boston, when I take her out she doesn't let anybody near here she looks really aggressive and snaps if strangers try and stroke especially children, I don't understand why as she's perfect with us and my two children I'm scared of taking her out as iv tried to socalise her but she just doesn't like strangers.

Comments for
aggresive to strangers

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 30, 2012
 Aggressive BT mix
by: Anonymous

Same here...was always fine w/our family but never to strangers. We are not talking about playful puppy nipping but outright going after someone, showing teeth and biting. Had to have him put down. So sad.
Jul 10, 2011
 aggression
by: Linda Galway/TurnerME

Make sure before anyone tries to pet your BT the person presents the top of his hand to your BT's nose for a good sniff first. Some dogs are naturally afraid (some from past experience)when a hand goes above their heads. So have the person curl their fingers into the palm of their hand and let the dog sniff the back of the hand. If an over-the-head pat seems to elicit a bad reaction, perhaps a chest scratch or rub would work better. Also, obedience training will probably help.
May 20, 2011
 Scaredy Dog?
by: Mary

+
It sounds like she is scared. Keep taking her out but make it a very controlled outing. Take her on your own street and ask other adults to walk by. Let her know that barking/growling is not acceptable. Do this every day or every other day for about a month or two and then praise her when she behaves. Bring treats (and a poop bag!)

Most of all be patient! Time works wonders.
May 20, 2011
 aggression biting
by: Anonymous

Hello, I just wanted to mention that our little girl also loves to bite and chew. Their teeth are like little needles at this young age. We have tried several things that have worked.....

She loves to chew on ice cubes. They seem to help some of the pain she may be having because her baby teeth are being pushed out by her big girl teeth. NO additional calories, no mess.

Our vet advised us to look her right in the eyes....and say a stern "NO" and at the same time point our index finger up at our mouth as if you are trying to "shush" her. We were really shocked.....IT WORKS! We had been saying "stop it", and yelling at her by her name....She just thought we were fooling around.... It seems that the "NO" gets her attention and she will stop. This also seems to work if she is barking too much.

When she begins to chew on either my husband or myself, or on one of her French Bulldog siblings, we tell her to "Kissie, kissie" she immediately stops her biting and licks instead.

That may sound a little silly, but a few wet kisses are so much better then feeling her sharp little teeth.

Hope this might work for you and your new little one. Trust me, the biting gets alot better with age. But sometimes we just can't wait to have that happen. IT HURTS!!! Don't give up!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Forum - Boston Terrier Characteristics (& Behavior)