Dogs can be some of our most loyal and affectionate companions. One way to show your Boston Terrier how much you love them is to train them to give hugs!
For more training help, see our 14 essential Boston Terrier puppy training tips. You may also find 49 Boston Terrier Training Commands and Tricks! helpful.
It’s a fun, rewarding activity that will bring you closer together and help your pup learn commands.
Here’s a step-by-step guide with detailed instructions on how to teach your Boston Terrier to hug.
Teaching You Boston Terrier How To Give Hugs
Why teach your Boston Terrier to give hugs?
Teaching your Boston Terrier how to give hugs is a great way to strengthen the bond
between you and your pup. Not only does it show that you love and care for them, but it also teaches them commands and gives them an activity to look forward to. Hugs can be an expression of joy when reuniting with someone they love!
Step by Step – How To Teach Your Boston To Hug
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 🙂
How long does it take for your Boston to learn a new command?
— Boston Terrier Society (@Boston_Society) November 29, 2022
Final Thoughts
Training your Boston Terrier to give hugs is a great way show them how much you care while strengthening the bond between the two of you. With patience and practice, your pup will be giving hugs in no time!
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!
When you’re ready for more structure beyond this post, the training section of my book walks through positive methods I actually used.