Strange Boston Terrier Behavior

by Lisa
(New York)

My 1.5 yr old female Boston, will growl and act very aggressive if I try to move her when she is sleeping. We crate trained her and she sleeps in her crate at night, this is something she does when sleeping on the couch. We make her get down and we send her to her crate. We then have her come out after a few mins. She then acts like she is sorry that she did that and then acts very depressed. I don't know what to do or how to handle this. Other than this she is the sweetest most even tempered dog.

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Strange Boston Terrier Behavior

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Feb 02, 2011
 Zoe snaps when she is awakened even after a few minutes
by: Boston Guy

My Boston Zoe is attached to me all the time. We go places do things, she is a GREAT dog. I am very attached to her. Just recently she also started to snap at me when she was tired and wanting to sleep. I can wake her up and she does ok until she goes and lays back down by me, then she starts growling and snapping. I did not know this was a characteristic of Bostons. She normally sleeps in the bed with me and burrows under cover. I will now make her sleep in her own bed and let everyone know not to disturb her. Any other reccomendations????? does this get worse???? I really dont want to get rid of her because normally she is so sweet, but i will not tolerate a snapping dog.
Dec 06, 2010
 Our Boston Terror "Caution"
by: Cyril

We have a two year old female BT named Gracie. She is fun and a wonderful dog for the most part. She has been raised with 5 year old female Boxer and a 13 year old female Lab. All get along very well together. About 6 months ago my wife and I noticed that she to would growl if you went to move her while she was at rest/sleeping, sometimes even showing her teeth. More so to me than my wife. She never has bitten though. We sort of ignore the growl, so she knows we are not afraid of her. We pick her up and move her, sometimes even hugging her. She was on our bed and like many times before, when I went to move her off of it, she began to growl. Also, like many times before, I ignored this, I went to hug her like usual and she bit me right in the cheek. Badly, but no stitches thank God. I have owned dogs my whole life and never had a misbehaved dog. What now?
Nov 30, 2010
 Growling Boston Terrier
by: Anonymous

We have a 5 year old female Boston Terrier, and she is totally awesome. The first time she growled when she was sleeping and didn't want to be disturbed, I was really alarmed b/c I thought it was a prelude to biting. Eventually I realized it was her way of saying leave me alone! She never did bite. Now she growls but we all know she is kidding, and we laugh at her. Sometimes she gets in a snit and goes under the chair to her "safe place", but her growling is more of a protest about having to move than a warning that she's going to bite. Take the time to really get to know your BT. They are worth the effort!
Jul 22, 2010
 My Boston Terror (oops I mean TERRIER!) :-)
by: Anonymous

I had no clue that other Bostons did this!! Our boy, Baxter, just turned 2 years does this...but there's more. We also have a Rat Terrier (7 years old), and they both sleep in bed with my husband and I.

Going back a bit, this past Feb, Baxter had both of his knee caps operated on at the same time. (Vet's urging) We had to keep him quiet and no playing hard for 2 months. During this time, he sat on my lap alot, which normally he had 'no time for!'

For the past few weeks, when we're in bed, if Baxter gets touched, moved, he starts growling super loud (which is so cool to know others do this!!), THEN he goes after our Rat Terrier (who is sleeping) and instigates actual fights between them! They only last a few seconds, but is still scary to happen.

Any suggestions?!?
Jun 14, 2010
 strange behavior
by: Lisa

It is more than just grawling she also gets snappy, as for her "safe" spot being her crate she loves her crate and this is the only way I can get her to calm down is to send her to her crate. When I tell her to come out she is very loving and the behavior is not repeated for the rest of the night.
Jun 14, 2010
 Growling Grump
by: Mary

Our boy does that too. I just let him know who is boss. I think I will try the wake-him-up first approach, but I still tell him NO GROWLING!
Jun 13, 2010
 sleeping boston
by: Tami

I agree with the other post. We have 2 female bostons, 14 mos. old. Our smallest, lucy, will behave the same way. Once she is settled she hates to be moved by the human. We will wake her 1st, move her and then back to sleep she goes. Having your girl be scolded for a natural reaction can be confusing to her and then once you've told her to come out from her "safe place" is just adding to her anxiety about the situation. You want the crate to be related with only good thoughts not punishment. Good Luck!
Jun 13, 2010
 Behavior reply
by: Anonymous

It prpbably just startles her while she is asleep as would it do to a human. Maybe if you awaken her first and then with a sweet tone of voice say c'mon before you move her. My boston did'nt like that either so I tried that approach. Works much better. Hope this helps let me know.

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