Boston Terriers are intelligent and loyal companions. They are also known for their attention barking. While this can be useful for alerting you when there’s an intruder on the property, it can also become a problem if your pup is barking excessively because they want your attention.
Fortunately, teaching your Boston how to be quiet is not that difficult.
Here’s a step-by-step guide with detailed instructions on how to train your Boston terrier to be quiet.
How To Teach Your Boston Terrier The Quit Command
Boston Terriers are not known as big barkers when it comes to barking out other people and animals when going on walks, but they will bark your ear off when it comes to talking to mom and dad, aka you! This is known as attention barking, and here is what you need to know in order to stop this behavior.
Why teach your Boston Terrier the quit command?
There are a few reasons why you might want to teach your Boston Terrier the quit command. For one, excessive barking can be annoying and disruptive. It can also be a sign that your pup is anxious or stressed. Teaching your Boston how to be quiet can help them calm down and relax.
Additionally, teaching your Boston to be quiet can be helpful in situations where you need them to be quiet, such as during a movie or when guests are over.
What is attention barking?
Attention barking is when a dog barks excessively in order to get the attention of its owner. This can be problematic because it can disrupt the peace and quiet of a home, and it can also be a sign that the pup is anxious or stressed. teaching your Boston Terrier how to be quiet can help them calm down and relax.
How long will it take to teach your Boston Terrier the quit command?
It is going to take, on average, 12+ tries before your Boston is going to pick up on this new command.
These findings come from a poll conducted on the Boston Terrier Society’s Twitter community. With over 44+ Boston Parents responding, the majority state it takes their Boston 12+ attempts before they learn a new command.
See the poll here…I may have spelled try funny, but the information is all the same 🙂
What should I not do when training your Boston Terrier the quit command?
Do not give up on your Boston. Teaching a new command can be difficult, but it is important to be consistent and patient. Do not yell or use physical punishment when training your Boston. This will only make them anxious and scared, and they will be less likely to respond to the command.
Instead, rewards your Boston for complying with the quit command. Positive reinforcement is the best way to train a dog.
Step By Step – Teach Your Boston Terrier The Quit Command
Step 1: Identify the Cause of the Barking
The first step in teaching your Boston to be quiet is figuring out why they’re barking in the first place. Is it because they’re excited? Bored? Scared? Knowing why your pooch is barking will help you determine the best course of action for stopping it.
For example, if your pup is barking out of excitement or boredom, then rewarding them with treats or toys when they stop will work better them simply yelling at them to stop. On the other hand, if your pup is scared or anxious, then providing reassurance and comfort may do more good than anything else.
Common Reasons Bostons Bark
- Fear
- Excitement
- Attention Seeking
- Boredom
Step 2: Choose a Command
The next step is to choose a command that you will use to ask your Boston to be quiet. Common commands for this include “Quiet” or “Enough” (or variations of these two). It’s important to choose a command that is short and one-syllable so your Boston can understand it easily.
Step 3: Start Training
Now that you have identified the cause of the barking and chosen a command, you can start training your Boston. Begin by saying the command in a firm but calm voice (it’s important to stay calm since this will help your Boston understand you better). Then, give your pup a treat or toy when they respond to the command and stop barking.
Step 4: Use Positive Reinforcement
Do not forget to use positive reinforcement techniques like treats or praise whenever they stop barking on command. This should only take a few days of consistent training before they start responding quickly and consistently to commands like “quiet” or “no bark.” Make sure that you reward them immediately after they stop so that they know what behavior you are rewarding them for.
Step 5: Ignore Unwanted Behavior
It’s important that you don’t reward unwanted behavior from your Boston by giving them attention when they are barking excessively—even if it’s just verbal acknowledgment like “no” or “stop.”
Instead, ignore them until they stop barking on their own, and then use positive reinforcement, as mentioned above. Ignoring bad behaviors helps reinforce that those behaviors won’t get them what they want (in this case, attention), while positive reinforcement reinforces good behaviors that will get them what they want (treats).
Step 4: Be Patient & Consistent
The most important thing when training any dog—not just Boston Terriers—is patience and consistency. It can take several weeks of consistent training sessions before your pup really starts responding consistently to commands like “quiet,” so don’t give up if you don’t see results right away!
With enough practice and patience, even the most vocal pups can learn to keep their bark under control.
What other commands should I teach my Boston Terrier to help them be more obedient?
Some other commands that may be helpful for Boston Terriers include “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” These basic obedience commands can be taught relatively easily with a little bit of patience and consistent training.
Read this list of essential obedience training your Boston should know before you start teaching them tricks: The 10 Most Important Commands To Teach Your Boston Terrier!
Final Thoughts
Teaching a Boston Terrier how to be quiet doesn’t have to be a daunting task; all it requires is some patience and consistency! Start by determining why your pup is barking in the first place and use positive reinforcement techniques like treats or praise whenever they obey commands like “quiet” or “no bark” until, eventually, their obedience becomes second nature!
If you want to learn more commands and tricks you can teach your Boston Terrier, be sure to visit our article, 49 Commands And Tricks You Can Teach Your Boston!