Gussy Our Boston Terrier Who Does Not Like My Husband

by Eve
(Wantagh, NY)

"Gussy"

Hi everyone. My name is Eve and we have Gussy (female) who is 8 months old. She is very hyper. Gussy is a very strange dog. Loves us and my family, but everyone except my husband. Gussy keeps growling and snarling at my husband and barks as well at him. Never at me or my kids, thank god and no one else. She loves men except my husband. No idea why. Living like this is not even fun sometimes. We all love her, well now my husband really HATES her. He has tried everything. From giving her a special snack to TRY to play with her, but does not work. Gussy will not go near him at all. But then she will be a USER and will lick him in our bed if i am there. Or she will be a user by the table (of course for food).

If anyone has any help for us, please we can use it. Training is horrible. she knows nothing.

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Gussy Our Boston Terrier Who Does Not Like My Husband

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Jan 19, 2009

Gussy
by: Alison

Your poor husband! Bostons are very smart and eager to learn. The more negative feelings your husband has for Gussy the worse it will get. It is going to require work on both parts. Gussy is showing dominant behavior which is not acceptable in any home. Since it is impossible to go into a lot of detail on training by writing the best bet is to bring a trainer into the home even if it is for just a few lessons. If your husband is backing off when the growling starts this would be the first mistake. He needs to take control of Gussy and let it be known he will not accept this behavior.

I agree with the other writers response that he should be the only one that feeds Gussy and it should be on your husbands terms. This is the first way to show that he is in control not Gussy. Walks are good for bonding with Gussy but will not show Gussy that your husband is boss. Please remember that Bostons are the only breed that can mimic human emotion. If the owner is sad, happy, etc.. the Boston will do the same. The family needs to be on the same page for training and agree to one way and stick with it. There is a book that I would suggest the family to read. It is written by Stanley Coren and it is called "How To Speak Dog". It is easy reading and excellent on understanding what your dog is trying to tell you. If your husband and Gussy can understand the communication it will make everyone's life much easier in the house and for training.

I am an owner of 6 dogs total, all females! I never have any fights among them and 5 are very well trained. (1 we are working on still a pup and deaf) Four of these are Bostons. Good luck! Living with a trained dog can be the best thing in the world and very rewarding, but living with an untrained dog can make everyone miserable including Gussy.

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Jan 19, 2009
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Submitted by: Alison

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Your poor husband! Bostons are very smart and eager to learn. The more negative feelings your husband has for Gussy the worse it will get. It is going to require work on both parts. Gussy is showing dominant behavior which is not acceptable in any home. Since it is impossible to go into a lot of detail on training by writing the best bet is to bring a trainer into the home even if it is for just a few lessons. If your husband is backing off when the growling starts this would be the first mistake. He needs to take control of Gussy and let it be known he will not accept this behavior. I agree with the other writers response that he should be the only one that feeds Gussy and it should be on your husbands terms. This is the first way to show that he is in control not Gussy. Walks are good for bonding with Gussy but will not show Gussy that your husband is boss. Please remember that Bostons are the only breed that can mimic human emotion. If the owner is sad, happy, etc.. the Boston will do the same. The family needs to be on the same page for training and agree to one way and stick with it. There is a book that I would suggest the family to read. It is written by Stanley Coren and it is called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/074320297X?ie=UTF8&tag=bostoncom00-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=074320297X">How To Speak Dog</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bostoncom00-20&l=as2&o=1&a=074320297X" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />". It is easy reading and excellent on understanding what your dog is trying to tell you. If your husband and Gussy can understand the communication it will make everyone's life much easier in the house and for training. I am an owner of 6 dogs total, all females! I never have any fights among them and 5 are very well trained. (1 we are working on still a pup and deaf) Four of these are Bostons. Good luck! Living with a trained dog can be the best thing in the world and very rewarding, but living with an untrained dog can make everyone miserable including Gussy.

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Jan 14, 2009

Gussy
by: Anonymous

You might want to have your husband feed her (putting food in her bowl while she sits and stays) as well as take her on walks. If you walk her together, have your husband control the lead. If she behaves badly towards him while she is on your lap, put her down immediately while telling her "no".

Jan 14, 2009

How Old Was Gussy When You Got Her?
by: b mowrey

This is strange behavior. I have been raised with this breed since i could remember. I too own a boston. How old was gussy when you got her? There might be a good explanation why she doesn't like your husband. Don't let him push the issue of trying to be her friend. Let it be on her terms. She doesn't trust him for her own reasons - it may not be anything he has done. Maybe she is asserting her dominance with him. Bostons are a family dog, but they have only one owner and that's you. It sounds like a trust issue gussy has with your husband.