11 Easy Tips To Train The MOST Stubborn Boston Terrier!


If you are the proud owner of a Boston Terrier, you know that sometimes they can be a little stubborn at times.

Training a stubborn Boston can be a bit of a challenge, but it is definitely worth it!

In this blog post, we will give you five tips to help train the most stubborn of Boston Terriers. Follow these tips, and your Boston will be well on his or her way to becoming a well-behaved pup!

How To Train A Stubborn Boston Terrier

OK, yes, we love Boston Terriers, but we know what times they can be stubborn. From one survey that we did on the Boston Terrier Society, a majority of Boston owners said that their Boston was stubborn.

In the Facebook Poll, 78% of 303 respondents said that their Boston was stubborn…learn more about these surveys below in this article.

This can be difficult when trying to train them, so we have compiled the best list of 11 tips to help you train a stubborn Boston we hope these tips help you! Let’s get started.

11 Tips For Training A Stubborn Boston Terrier

Here are our eleven tips on training a stubborn Boston. If you are in need of some things you can teach your Boston during training check out this amazing list and how to guide for training your Boston tricks and commands: 49 Commands And Tricks You Can Teach Your Boston!

1. Establish a Routine:

Boston Terriers are creatures of habit, so establishing and sticking to a routine can be very beneficial in training them. Give your Boston clear boundaries and expectations that you can both adhere to, which will make it easier for him or her to understand what is expected of them.

2. Be Patient:

Patience is key! A stubborn Boston Terrier can be very slow in its learning process and may not respond to commands or training techniques immediately.

It’s important to remain patient throughout the training process and reward your Boston when they have achieved a goal, no matter how small.

3. Use Positive Reinforcement:

Using positive reinforcement is an effective technique for Boston Terrier training. This means rewarding them with treats or praise when they perform a desired behavior. Boston Terriers are very food-motivated, so using treats as rewards can be especially helpful.

4. Be Consistent:

Boston Terriers need consistency and repetition in order to learn efficiently. If you find yourself getting frustrated it’s better to take a break from the training session than it is to become angry and punish your Boston for their mistakes.

5. Keep Training Sessions Short:

Boston Terriers will quickly lose interest if the sessions are too long or too boring. Try to keep training sessions fun and engaging, but make sure that they don’t go on for more than 15 minutes at a time.

NOTE: it’s important to ease into training sessions so that your Boston doesn’t get overwhelmed or discouraged. A good way to do this is to start with short 5-minute training sessions and then gradually move up to longer time periods. During the initial training session, focus on one specific behavior or command. Once your dog has mastered that, you can move on to adding in additional commands or behaviors. With patience and consistency, you’ll be able to train your Boston in no time!

6. Set Clear Rules and Boundaries:

Boston Terriers need clear rules and boundaries that they can understand in order to learn effectively. Make sure your Boston understands what is and isn’t acceptable behavior, and stick to those rules consistently.

7. Use Praise:

Boston Terriers are very sensitive creatures, so using praise when they do something correctly can be an effective way to reinforce positive behaviors. Remember, it’s not just about rewarding with treats; verbal praise and petting can also go a long way!

8. Socialize Your Boston Terrier Early On:

Socializing your Boston is important for their development. Introducing them to new people, animals or places at an early age will help them get used to different stimuli and become better adjusted to new situations.

This will help during training becuase you’re helping them to feel comfortable and confident in a variety of situations. This makes it more likely that they’ll listen to you when you give commands during training.

Dogs who have been properly socialized are also more likely to enjoy learning new tricks. After all, Tricks are just another way to interact with you and have some fun!

Read this article to learn how to socialize your Boston: Ultimate Guide To Socializing Boston Terriers.

9. Stay Positive:

Boston Terriers respond better when they are treated positively, so it is important to stay upbeat and encouraging during the training process. If your Boston is struggling with a command, don’t be too hard on them; instead, give them some encouragement and try again!

10. Have Fun!

Training a Boston can be frustrating at times, but it should also be fun! The goal of any training session should ultimately be for both you and your Boston to enjoy yourselves; don’t forget to have fun and be patient.

11. Get Professional Help:

Boston Terrier owners sometimes need help or advice when training their pup. Seek out professional help if you feel like you are in over your head or have exhausted all options.

A great place to start with professional help is going through an online program like Dr. Dunbar’s Virtual Top Dog Training Academy. In this program, you’ll be walked through how to train your Boston Terrier. This way, you’ll know exactly what to do and why.

If you want to learn more about this affordable option to self-guided dog training, check it out here: Dr. Dunbar’s Top Dog Academy.

Are Boston Terriers Stubborn?

Yes, Bostons can be a stubborn breed.

In two separate surveys I did in the Boston Terrier Society communities, here is what I found out…

Facebook: In the Facebook community, the survey had 303 votes, with 78% of the respondents reporting that yes their Boston was stubborn.

Twitter: In the Twitter community, the results were 109 votes, with 83.5% of respondents saying their Boston was stubborn.

Check out this video, where I talk about the stubbornness of Boston Terriers based on survey data I collected from Boston owners, as well as go over ways to make your Boston more obedient.

Are there some commands my Boston Terrier should absolutely know?

Yes, there are a few basic commands your Boston Terrier should absolutely know to help them be more obedient. Commands such as ‘sit‘, ‘stay‘, and ‘come‘ are essential for success. If your pup is unfamiliar with these commands, be sure to spend some time practicing them before moving on to any other kind of training or tricks.

Read this list of essential obedience training your Boston should know: The 10 Most Important Commands To Teach Your Boston Terrier!

How long does it take to train a Boston Terrier a new 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 🙂

How should you discipline a stubborn Boston Terrier?

There is no one definitive answer to this question, as the best way to discipline a Boston Terrier will vary depending on the individual dog. However, some tips on how to discipline a stubborn Boston Terrier include:

– Rewarding good behavior with treats; verbal praise and petting can also go a long way!

– Correcting bad behavior with a firm voice and/or hand signal; be consistent with this correction in order for it to be effective

– Avoiding physical punishment, as this can lead to fear or aggression in Boston Terriers

– Seeking professional help if you feel like you are in over your head or have exhausted all options.

Which dog breed is the most stubborn?

Breeds such as the Chow Chow, Akita, and Cane Corso are known for their independent streak and can be quite difficult to train.

Just know that there are many factors to consider when trying to determine which dog breed is the most stubborn. Some people might say that it is the breed that is the most difficult to train, while others might say that it is the breed that is most resistant to following commands.

However, there is no definitive answer, as each dog is individual and will have its own unique personality.

Final Thoughts

Following these 11 tips should help you train the most stubborn Boston Terriers. Remember that patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are key when it comes to Boston training! Good luck and happy training!

Good luck on your Boston Terrier training journey! With these tips, you’re well on your way to having a well-trained pup 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!

Happy training! 🙂

Donnie Gardner

Donnie Gardner is the owner of the Boston Terrier Society. He has been raising Bella the Boston since 2010. He resides in Kansas with his wife, daughter, and Bella. His favorite activities are hanging out with family, traveling, running (but has bad knees), and reading non-fiction books.

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