question for boston owners?

I have heard that boston terriers are very hard to train and destructive. Can anyone tell me if this is true? I would like to get one in the future, but I don't want all of my furniture destroyed.
Thank you!

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question for boston owners?

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Oct 23, 2011
Love our Boston
by: GG

We LOVE our Boston. She was the easiest dog to house train that we have ever had, she is great with children, easy to travel with, and has the best disposition of any dog we have ever owned. She is a little jealous of our Min-Pin but they are the best of buds otherwise. I would recommend this breed to anyone. A big plus, they don't shed a lot and ours loves a bath. They do tend to sweat in the summer and can't really stand to be in the heat for very long because of their sinus tract being so smushed. Since we live in the south we have to limit her outside times in the summer.

Aug 26, 2010
parent traits
by: Anonymous

i have never had a better dog than my boston. I think another thing to check into before purchasing one is the traits the parents have. i dont know how likely the breeder would be to telling you any poor trait qualities their dogs have, but these traits have been said to sometimes be passed on to their offspring. ive never had any issues.

Oct 25, 2009
Wear 'em out!
by: Paula

Just like kids, you gotta wear BT's out. They definitely need play time--1/2 hr. to 1 hr. minimum. If they feel satisfied physically and mentally, you'll have no problem with destruction. And as others have said, give them plenty of chew toys etc. We also keep our pup in one area of the house which limits any potential problems. I got this tip from a fellow BT owner regarding chewing on wood furniture--put a couple of drops of hot sauce in some Vaseline and coat the wood. It stays on for a long time and won't hurt the furniture or the dog if they lick it. It will however keep them from chewing in that spot.

Our BT is the best dog we have ever had. Easy to train, funny, and a great kid dog.

Sep 23, 2009
Bostons are great
by: Amy from NC

I grew up with Boxers which I've always thought were the best dogs ever, until I got my boston. I still love boxers but my Bailey boy is awesome. He is still a puppy he's only 5 months but he normally stays chewing on his toys or bones. Just today I noticed him pulling clothes out of a laundry basket I had on the floor but he didn't ruin anything. He has not touched our furniture at all. I didn't know a whole lot about BT it was a somewhat rushed decision to get him seeing my husband and I were moving out of state 2 days before we got him. They are defintely people dogs they NEED your attention. Bailey will sit and whine to pick him up sometimes. I never knew how much a dog would love to cuddle. So you don't have to worry about the dog chewing on stuff you need to train the dog on what you'll allow them to do but realize they need your attention the most.

Sep 12, 2009
all are different
by: Anonymous

Our boston - 1 year old - is a chewing machine, but only on his toys. We have provide many, many, many chews of all types to keep him satisfied. But he was trained to recognize his chew toys and has not chewed on anything else. Potty training was fairly easy have to be patient though.

Feb 16, 2009
BT's behavior
by: Leisa

Jack's 17 mos. and Emma's 7 mos.
Jack destroyed a pair of shoes and that was basically it besides his toys. Until we put Emma in the crate and left him out when we left the house to run errands. Then he chewed a box. I believe it was because he was mad at us for putting his friend in the crate.
Emma is my li'l "chewbacca". She has chewed shoes, but not to the point of no return. lol I think she was just using them as teething toys. Emma chewed a li'l hole in my couch.
What I'm doing is everytime she chewed something that she's not allowed to have, I take it from her tell her no and give her one of her toys. Now she's chewing more of her toys.
When Emma sees Jack with a toy, she is distracted away from chewing something bad cuz she wants Jack's toy, so he helps with training wrether or not he wants to. lol

Feb 12, 2009
Never Had That Happen
by: TheGang

We have three Boston's and have never experienced that kind of behavior. The only destruction was to their Nyla Bones or their toys, maybe a shoe or two, but never anything serious. Provide lots of chew toys and lots of play time and I don't think you will have a problem. Having other playmates also helps.

Feb 11, 2009
Yes and No...
by: Tammy

Hi there, I own two Boston Terriers. One is 14 months and one is 10 months. Sampson, the oldest I got first. He was not destructive at all. He was also fairly easy to train. He learned sit, shake, and stand up very quickly and now does them with just hand commands. It was harder to train him to stay in the yard and to come when called. Once he was neutered and my boyfriend was there during the day to work with him he was trained within a week to stay and come when called.

Now potty training is a whole other story. While he trained well on papers as a puppy and eventually learning to go outside he did pretty good through the summer. Now that it's cold out (I live in Maine) he doesn't want to go outside for anything, let alone to pee! LOL! Stiffler, my other Boston, has been extremely destructive. He has chewed up a $68 pair of brand new shoes, chewed on knobs and corners of things, and ate a hole in the bed. He also enjoys stealing toilet paper and paper towels and shredding them in seconds. BUT, once you are aware of the habit, you learn to keep those kinds of things out of reach. Despite the destructive behavior, I wouldn't trade him for the world. He is the most loving and snuggling dog I have ever had.

Every Boston is different in personality and behavior. As long as you have patience and work with the dog it will no doubt be your most ever beloved pet!

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