Aggressive Boston Terrier

by Tamm;y
(Pa)

My Boston is very protective my husband and me. She does not like other dogs either. How can I get her to be less aggressive to people? Everyone says "oh" what a cute dog and go to pet her and the hair stands up on her back and she starts to grumble as I call it. We have had her since she was a puppy and is now 4 years old. Is this normal in Boston Terriers?

Comments for
Aggressive Boston Terrier

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 09, 2012
 Fearful Boston
by: Lisa

I am sort of relieved to read that I am not alone. Our 2 year old Boston Terrier, Stewie is fearful of all strangers and other dogs too. He has been very timid since we got him at 8 months but it progressed into fear aggression where he tries to bite. We have taken him to a behavior clinic at University of Pennsylvania and he is now on Prozac with no real improvement and we have attempted behavior modification with minimal improvement as well. It is so frustrating. We just want everyone to love him as much as we do since he can be such a sweet boy. It is also very difficult to leave him in someone's care when we go away since there are only 7 people that he is comfortable with. Anyone have any other suggestion? Thanks
Sep 03, 2011
 2 year old aggressive boston!!
by: Anonymous

I completely relate to every word you are saying... Betty is nearly 2 years old and she does all of the things you say your dog does. She is so loving towards all the people she knows well but is a nightmare around strangers. It's really stressful because she just will not relax around people she doesn't know, she just barks at them and then runs away when you try and pick her up. She is really nervous, I just feel like she is being protective of us. I don't feel like there is anything we can do to stop her being like this. Postman and any passers by will mean she will stand on the sofa, look out of the window and bark like mad. It's a nightmare but we love her to bits.
Jun 08, 2011
 2 year old aggressive boston
by: Anonymous

we are having the same issue...we got out female boston terrier when she was 8 weeks old and we did our best to socialize her... at about 8 months old she started becoming people aggressive.. She loves other dogs and immediate family but HATES strangers !! we have to leash her before anyone new comes to our home. Having her off leash at the park is NEVER an option because she has gone after kids and adults that walk by on the rare chance we have trusted her :S She runs in circles barking with a incredibly high pitch bark and wont allow us to catch her ... it is very scary and we are running out of ideas... I have spent soo much money on private training that has done nothing :( at home she is the best dog to our kids and family its incredible what a monster she turns into when approached by a stranger.
May 11, 2011
 Aggresive female BT
by: Stacey

My dog is just over a year old and she is fixed, but she is still very territorial of anyone who walks by our house, especially children. when the mail man comes by (we have a few)she barks, but is really aggressive with only one of them. She is very sweet but does have an attitude just like any adolescent girl :)
Apr 11, 2010
 why is this happening???
by: Jettacole

wow I toatally thought I was alone on this. My three year old female goes crazy when someone walks by, or she hears a noise outside and God help the person that comes to the door. She has never been aggressive towards my husband, children or myself, but she will go after children that come to the door to play with my kids. I'm deathly afraid she will bite someone. I am so scared we love this animal like she was a family member. My husband works nights so I like the fact that she is protective but seriously I am unable to take her for a walk, or put her outside at all.

I am so afraid that she will hurt someone or herself trying to get at someone that I am sacrifices money to invest in puppy pads for her to potty on, or I have to take her out in the middle of the night when no one is around. She's not a bad dog and she would be a great dog if I could get this and her chewing of clothes and shoes to stop. any ideas on any of these would be greatly appreciated!
Sep 17, 2009
 aggressive boston to men
by: Anonymous

Just got back from a walk with my boston terriers. My 2 yr old male has become leary of men he doesn't know and if they approach and put their hand out he will snap at them. Does'nt do this to women or children but has now done it a few times to men. (once to a cement guy who approached him with a trough in his hand and twice when workers came into the home carrying equipment and now this guy walking his old dog approaches and snap) He is an awesome dog in every other way but this--Help!!! what can I do? We also have a 1 year old little girl boston. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
P.s. It is important to note that he is in a loving environment with children and my husband who is very loving to him, so I can't quite figure why he doesn't like men.
Aug 02, 2009
 Aggressive dog
by: Anonymous

I have the same problem with my male BT. I've had him since a puppy and he is now 4 years old. I recently had him neutered hoping it would help with the problem but hasn't so far. He is very leary of strangers and begins to growl at them when they come near him. If they attempt to pet him, he snaps at them. He even does this to children. I am afraid he will bite someone.
Apr 24, 2009
 same problem
by: Nicole

i have the same problem with my male boston. i thought it was because he is not yet fixed but he has a very strong fear of strangers and does the grumble as you call it and back away. i'm curious because yours is a female if this is not due to testosterone. if you find any info, let me know.

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)