| The Boston Terrier is descended from tough, | | | | behavior toward you, other humans or other dogs, you |
| ferocious dogs. Bulldogs were developed to work with | | | | should seek the services of a competent dog trainer |
| butchers to engage and control steers and | | | | or behavior specialist who will work with you to |
| cattle-animals that were many times their own size | | | | change the dog's behavior without resorting to |
| and that could cause fatal injury if the dog was not | | | | punishment or correction of any sort. Before the |
| quick or tough enough. The terriers that contributed | | | | training begins, the trainer or specialist will probably |
| their genes to the Boston's family pool were pit fighting | | | | recommend a thorough vet exam to rule out physical |
| dogs, fearless fighters of their own kind but completely | | | | causes for the aggressive behavior. Sometimes pain |
| harmless to humans. How these ferocious breeds | | | | or illness can cause a dog that has always been |
| were used to create the friendly, happy companion | | | | peaceful to suddenly behave aggressively. Certain |
| we know today is difficult to explain or understand. But | | | | chemical imbalances in the body, such as low thyroid |
| throughout the generations, the dogs were selected as | | | | hormone levels or abnormalities of the liver, can trigger |
| much for their easygoing, nonaggressive nature as for | | | | aggressive behavior in dogs. I have seen a few cases |
| their type and structure. | | | | of Boston Terriers who would suddenly and |
| Boston Terriers can be aggressive toward other dogs, | | | | unaccountably "turn on" their owners and bite them |
| particularly when they are behind a fence or on a | | | | severely, and every case of that type was attributed |
| leash. This may be something the dog has learned, or it | | | | to a brain disorder causing seizures or seizure-type |
| may be a genetic tendency. Regardless of its origins, | | | | problems. |
| this behavior is not typical of Boston Terriers and is not | | | | Aggressive behavior is not normal for Boston Terriers. |
| to be considered acceptable. In many cases, this | | | | A Boston that does develop aggression should be |
| behavior can be changed by teaching the dog to | | | | checked thoroughly by a vet and put on a program of |
| focus on his owner and by rewarding the dog with | | | | positive, reward-based behavior modification under the |
| praise and treats for ignoring the other dog or dogs. | | | | supervision of an experienced dog trainer, behavior |
| Under no circumstances should a dog be punished or | | | | specialist or Certified Veterinary Behaviorist. |
| corrected for this aggressive behavior by yanking on | | | | Ask your dog-owning friends for recommendations on |
| the leash, yelling at the dog or hitting the dog. The | | | | dog trainers. Call trainers to ask whether you may |
| aggressive behavior is usually caused by fear, and | | | | observe their classes (if they say no, look elsewhere). |
| punishment can increase the fear and thereby | | | | Look for a trainer who is very positive, one who |
| increase the aggression that the punishment was | | | | emphasizes praise and rewards for the dog's good |
| intended to stop. | | | | behavior and avoids punishment or corrections for bad |
| If your Boston Terrier does display aggressive | | | | behavior. |