Is there any way to train a four year old Boston Terrier?

Question

We are at our wits end. We have a four year old Boston Terrier that refuses to learn anything. We have worked with him four the entire four years that we have had him (since he was 8 weeks old).
He is is house broke but the problem we are having with him is he has no attention span.
It is very difficult to take him for walks because he is always trying to take off from one of us to chase something even though he is on a choke chain.
If we take him outside to go to the bathroom, he just stands there looking around.
He wants to go for a walk everytime he goes out the door. I should mention that I am handicapped and use a cane so it is hard for me to walk him sometimes.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to calm this dog down so he is easier to handle?

I would like to add that our dog has been in dog obedience training twice. It's his attention span or lack of that we are having a problem with. If he was human he would be diagnosed with ADD. We have never had this problem before with any other dog. We have never told him he was a bad dog for anything. He was house broke in three weeks after we got him. I think some of misunderstanding our problem
Since he has been through training twice we are wondering what is wrong with him. We know he can hear he is just stubborn, and he has a low attention span or none at all.
Because of this we are wondering if he can be trained?

I would like to add that our dog has been in dog obedience training twice. It's his attention span or lack of that we are having a problem with. If he was human he would be diagnosed with ADD. We have never had this problem before with any other dog. We have never told him he was a bad dog for anything. He was house broke in three weeks after we got him. I think some of you are misunderstanding our problem
Since he has been through training twice we are wondering what is wrong with him. We know he can hear he is just stubborn, and he has a low attention span or none at all.
Because of this we are wondering if he can be trained?

Answer 1

My Mom has 2 Boston Terriers and we have all come to the same conclusion. They are hopelessly untrainable, but very cute as they run a break-neck speed through her house breaking things.

Answer 2

I'll give you two options. First, usually it's not the dog that's the problem, it's the owner. Either you're feeding his cues or you've cued him into that behavior.

I prefer using a prong collar than a choke chain. It looks mean, but it is actually much nicer for the dog and prevents "choking." I have a beagle-mutt and I use one because we have a ton of rabbits in my neighborhood. If I didn't I guarantee that she would be dragging me down the street with her. But learn how to "fit" the dog for one. It doesn't slide over the head like a choker does.

My guess as to the behavior is that he has learned not to go to the bathroom in front of you--it happens when dogs have been caught in the act in the house. He hasn't learned that going to the bathroom inside bad, outside good. He has learned "going to the bathroom in front of mom/dad is bad" and that's why you're having the problem.

My two answers to calming him down:

1) doggie daycare. If you have one it is worth the investment. I started this with my two dogs because I was gone a lot. They calmed down and learned a lot of good behavior by following the other dogs.

2) obedience class/lessons. You need to figure out what you're doing wrong. Sorry, but I used to teach dog training and it wasn't the dogs, it was the people! !

Answer 3

You should see if you can find a behavioral trainer to work one on one with you and the dog.
This may be the easiest way to get something done with him.
They are terriers and can be tough to train. Being that you are having trouble walking him that is where part of the problems are coming from. You need to be in control of him when you walk and you need to learn how to do this. Just being in control on a walk will make other things easier for him to learn.
See if you can not find some to work with you and I promise that with some work your dog can be better behaved that he is now.

Answer 4

dog is definetly trainable, u may need obedience traing for you and the dog. people need to learn the correct methods of training just as well as the dog needs to learn to be obedient.

as for the walk i truely suggest a halt or a gentle lead instead of the choker, the are recommended by most trainers to be the best way to prevent a dog from pulling. it is a colloar that fits over the muzzle(not a muzzle), when the dog pulls, it tightens around the muzzle, puting pressure just like a mother dog would do

Answer 5

Yes, he can be trained, or re-trained ... contrary to popular belief, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.

It would take too long an explanation here to detail the correct way to modify this behavior. Warren Eckstein, reknown pet therapist, has come out with some really great books. As a dog owner, I have them myself. His website may also provide you with where to start.

Check out the additional links below for more help and tips.

Answer 6

He just needs to focus. I would suggest a harness or a halti-collar. Choke chains only work if used correctly. Using a cane, you are not going to be able to do this. Carry treats to reward behavior. Make walks - out time - short and pleasant. Good Dog! -good treat. You Can teach an old dog new behaviors! Good Luck.

Answer 7

Contact the Boston Terrier club of America. You can find a link to their website at: www.akc.org.
You should contact other Boston Terrior owners who have years of experience living with & training this breed. You'll find other folks who share your concerns and you will learn how they handled similar problems.
There is no better teacher than hands-on experience.

Answer 8

go to an obedience class. Older dogs can be trained but it is usually harder to do and takes longer due to the fact that all the bad training has to be undone. The only untrainable dog is the one you give up on.