Step 1: Get the Necessary Supplies

Before you start teaching your Boston Terrier to hug, make sure you have all the necessary supplies, such as treats and toys. A clicker can also be helpful if you want to use positive reinforcement during training. Having everything on hand makes the process easier and allows you to focus on teaching without having to stop for supplies in the middle of a session.

Step 2: Start with Basic Commands

It’s important that your Boston Terrier knows basic commands before attempting any advanced training activities, such as hugging. Make sure they know how to sit, stay, come, and lay down before progressing further.

This will ensure they understand what is expected of them when they begin learning more complex behaviors like hugging. Once they have mastered these basics, move on to step three!

Step 3: Teach Them How To Hug

Now that your pup understands basic commands it’s time to start teaching them how to hug! Start by getting into position as if you are about to give a real hug, then offer verbal praise or a treat every time they mimic this behavior correctly.

Over time they will begin recognizing this behavior as something desirable and become more comfortable with it. Once they are able to give hugs on command consistently, move onto step four!

Video – How To Teach Your Dog To Hug

In this video, Timothy Flanagan walks dog lovers through how to teach their dog to give hugs.

How long will it take to teach my Boston Terrier to hug?

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 🙂