Are Bostons really nuts?

[HelenMac]

Hi!

I'm new here, so forgive me if I'm repeating stuff that's already been thoroughly chewed over -

but I was amazed to read about the trouble people are having with Boston Terriers! Our Boston is four years old and has been a "challenge" since we got her. She has only two speeds: fast and off. Either she's going, going, going, or asleep. It's so comforting to think she may not be the only one! She's amazing in agility, but obedience is very stressful for her. She gets nervous and stresses very easily, but she's sweet as can be and adores everybody.

My biggest fear for her, because despite her problems we do love her dearly, is that because she burns so fast and hot, she'll burn out at a young age.

-Helen

[Barrett]

How old is your Boston? I have a dachshund that has the same speed settings. She will trya nd make us play fetch until our arms fall off. My husband and I once tested her to see how long she could go before she would stop on her own. We have a huge backyard and we took turns throwing the tennis ball as far as we could for over 3 hours non-stop. She finally dropped the tennis ball at my feet and laid down on it in defeat after 3 hours and 40 minutes. This was last summer when she was a year old. This summer she is definetly slowing down a little. I hope by next summer, at the age of 3 she will be a nice, calm lap dog. I don't think my shoulders will last another year...either that or I will get drafted by the Seattle Mariners as the starting pitcher. LOL
Most dogs calm down a bit by the age of 3.....except perhaps a Jack Russell...LOL

[WingedFoal]

All Bostons that I've ever met, had, or heard of have had only fast and off settings. They are some WIRED animals! (Of course, there's always the exceptions to the rule.)

I wouldn't stress out about her burning out at a young age. I'd be more worried about that in a dog that rarely exercises and does nothing but sleep and eat. But don't worry, you are DEFINITELY not the only one with a busy Boston! The way you've described yours is exactly how my girl is, and how my boy was.

[HelenMac]

That's very reassuring, WingedFoal. I did, actually, think she might start slowing down as she matured, but she's four now, and I think that any chance is gone. "Wired" is exactly right! We've finally trained her to get her ball when we set the timer, and quit when it beeps, about 15 minutes later. Once she's happy, we can get some work done around the house. Of course, we have to have several play sessions a day, but at least we control when that is!
-Helen

[dollface]

I think it also depends on the boston type so to speak... Junior has alot more terrier in him then the bulldog and he is always wired and so are his offspring, very hyper dogs. Tiva on the other hand she is alot more bulldog, very pushed in face and stocky body, she is hyper to a point but nothing like my other 3.... I have noticed some breeders breed more for the terrier look with more of a snout and more skinnier build, where others breed more for the bulldog look which you get the stocky build and pushed in face. My 3 can go for ever, they know no end. I had Junior in obedience and that was a challenge, lots of work. He is very fast in agility and I was told to slow him down, sadly I had to stop cause I wanna get my kids into sports and I really can't afford to do all. Junior was the only one I needed help in with training, the rest were like a piece of cake, he is full of bug juice lol I too thought he would slow down as he got older, ya right and he's 5 lol

[LillysMOM]

my boston lilly is play full but shes also a, calm, loving house dog. She happy to be in her bed relaxing. But when we get any strange noises she up and on guard. We just tell her what the noise was and to relax and shes fine. With Bostons being so s3ensitive we just treat her like a sensitive child & love her and hug her & kiss her & pet her .....

[calgal]

Years ago I had two Boston girls and I had a litter of 5 puppies from one. I never had a hyper Boston. I even kept the puppies till they were 3 months old and the smallest girl I kept till she was 5 months. The families that adopted all the puppies could not have been any happier and all were calm and wonderful additions. I have two sons who have Bostons. One son in OK had two and they were also calm dogs. The son in NM. has one who is also a "normal" behaved dog. I am truly amazed to read about so many that are hyper. I've never in my life seen that. All our Bostons were and are the stocky, very short muzzle type that are champion bred. There must be a big difference in Bostons that I was not aware of. How interesting.

[Kade]

The only Boston I've known was calm, well-behaved, and smart as a whip! He was 6 years old when I knew him, and his owner told me he'd been hyper until he hit three years old.