My Boston Terrier growls at everyone!

by Edward Coyle
(Valdosta, Georgia)

Hi. I have a 4 year old male boston terrier. He is my best friend! Only problem is, I think he is TOO attatched to me. I have done everything to get him to stop growling at everyone. It's worse when he sits in my lap. I have scolded him, I tried clamping my hand over his nose and mouth (veterinarian advice), nothing works. When I yell at him for it, he seems to be sorry and acts scared for a second, but continues to do it anyway. I feel so bad especially when he growls at kids. He is good with mine, but for people who don't live in the house he will growl at them. Funny thing is, he growls but lets them pet him! I just don't understand. What can I do? Do I have to get him "fixed" to make him stop? Is that part of the reason for aggression? I don't want it to come to that.

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My Boston Terrier growls at everyone!

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Jan 06, 2010
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by: Nick Orb

I have a 2 year old BT, he growls at everyone, and barks at them until I raise my voice and get stern with him. Just tell him to sit, and to calm down, rub him on his chest and we will relax. Touch the people he is growling at, let him know they are not any harm. I too agree that they are just trying to say hi. Roscoe sometimes growls at me for not petting him when we are sitting together.
Dec 10, 2009
 Growling BT
by: Bennie from Indiana

My male BT is eight years old and is my shawdow; where ever I go he goes. When I leave the house he gets upset with me,when I come back he ignores me for awhile. He too is very possessive of me even with my husband, but he has never bitten anyone. When the doorbell rings he is the first to get to the door barking and growling; but then when the door opens he starts wiggling his back-end and trying to wag his stub of a tail. I have come to believe that is his way of saying hello. However, if someone tried to hurt me Colonel would bite them. And I am sure your BT would do the same thing, to me this is a good thing, our little protectors.

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