An Over Energetic Boston Terrier!?

Question

I got a boston terrier who is almost three years of age. She isn't quite a puppy any more. She is really over energetic. I play with her but it's never enough! She runs circles around me! She has seperation anxieties too! She takes things too far with playing and chewing how can
I calm her down? or is this typical for her breed?

Answer 1

Yes everyone will say it is typical of the breed. TRAINING is the key. I have got a boston terrier 2 1/2 yrs old. she is very energetic but when i tell her to stop then she will stop. That is the reason I never wanted a boston terrier(because of the energy), untill I seen the baby I have(I just had to have her for some reason). Here is some training that may help with the seperation:

Many dogs experience separation anxiety when left alone. They will often whine, bark, cry, howl, chew, dig, scratch at the door, soil the house or destroy your home and yard. We often unintentionally train our dogs to behave this way because whenever they throw this kind of tantrum when we leave, we quickly come back to reassure them, give them attention or even a bone or biscuit. If you do this, your dog will soon learn that he can control you with emotional blackmail.
Long, drawn-out farewells can create separation anxiety problems by first exciting your dog and then making the isolation more obvious when you're gone. Just when he gets all worked up and ready to play, suddenly you disappear. With all this energy, your dog will either try his best to get you to come back or he will have to vent his energy in some other way. Since he can't build model airplanes or invite his buddies over for a hand of poker, he does doggy things - like chew, dig and bark.

Perhaps it is not separation anxiety after all! We often think our dog is destructive because he is angry and spiteful that we left him, but he could actually be just trying to have some fun since there is nothing else to do. He may be relieved to be able to do those things he normally can't do when you're home. He may be thinking, "Thank goodness the owner is finally leaving! Now I can chase the cat, dig up the tomatoes, get in the trash, and bark at the neighbors. They never let me do those things when they're home."

Some dogs with separation anxiety are stressed, nervous and insecure when they are left alone. They express this nervous energy in typical dog fashion - chewing, digging, barking and house soiling.

To prevent separation anxiety, dogs need to feel happy, secure, and comfortable when you're away. It's important to give them things to do while you're gone. Provide them with lots of toys, such as a kong or havaball stuffed with treats, or a digging pit. in the yard. Often another companion pet can help alleviate the boredom.

Another way to prevent separation anxiety is to set aside scheduled time periods to give your dog undivided attention, play and exercise. A happy, well-exercised dog will usually sleep contentedly during the day while you are gone. Be sure that one of the scheduled play sessions occurs before you must leave for the day. Give your dog a chance to settle down before you leave and don't make a big deal of your departure - just leave without any emotion or commotion.

If your dog is already experiencing separation anxiety, then gradually accustom him to your leaving. Practice leaving and returning several times a day until he gets used to your departures and realizes that you are not abandoning him forever. Gradually leave for longer and longer periods of time, but start out by leaving for just 5 minutes and returning again.

http://perfectpaws.com/sa.html

As for the listening when to stop I have taught my dog almost everything I can think of to teach her to listen to me, all the tricks. you can see my baby here and she is wonderfull
http://dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=338728

She sleeps when I want her to and plays when I want her to. The only problem I have(which really isn't a problem) is when she needs to go out(when I'm sleeping), I mean really bad she will pounce on my head. that isn't too bad, though, because she knows not to go inside. Boston terriers are pretty much geniuses and very loyal to their owners. You just need to work with them. good luck and if you see my babies web page then you can see all the tricks she can do plus some. good luck

another thing I bought a ball for my dog. One of the ones that is really big and tight so she can't get her mouth around it. This will keep her occupied for hours and you then can teach them to hit it back to you. It is really cute. a warning though keep her away from anything it can destroy because I know my dog tends to run in the house pretty fast not paying attention and can knock over some things. and also if you don't have a fenced in yard don't bring the ball outside. they don't pay; attention to anything else and will run anywhere the ball will go.
good luck

Answer 2

Without watching your dog's behavior myself it would be hard to analyze and tell you exactly what is wrong with your dog. But here is a few questions i want you to ask yourself,

Was your dog the runt of the litter? Socially that can be part of the problem.

When you first got your dog each time it whines did you let her sleep with you or go and comfort it? If so you have been rewarding that behavior from the time you got her. This leads to constant whining and the feeling of "separation anxiety" you are describing.


Now a terrier is a hunting dog by nature. How often and how much do you exercises her daily? A brisk 45 minute walk or two 30 minute walks a day should help her release some of her nervous energy. Once that is established you can then work on her whining.

Answer 3

Being energetic *is* typical of the breed, but being hyper is *not*. Boston "Terrier" is really sort of a misnomer, as they were bred, as it goes, from an extinct form of terrier and an English Bulldog. (Definitely *not* hyper dogs...)

They are incredibly intelligent, however, and need a *ton* of mental stimulus to remain happy and healthy. The previous poster who mentioned playing games with her is right... They love to play relatively complicated games and take on fairly complex challenges. If you have more than one, they will actually make up games of their own to play with each other...

The breeding of your dog may come into play here... Were the parents especially hyper? If so, it may just be in the genes. There really is no difference in the activity level of my male and female Bostons. They have their 'play time', and they have their 'nap time'. Never too much of either. However, I am with them 24/7, and they are never without attention...

I also crate my Bossies if I ever *do* need to go away. They do adjust to it quite quickly, and learn that it is extra fun to get out of the crate and play when I get home. I just crate-trained my 7-year-old male Bossie who's never been in one before, as a matter of fact. The crates keep them from chewing on anything that they are not supposed to, and it keeps them safe while I cannot keep my eyes directly on them. And, all-important to *every* Bossie person, it keeps them from leaping on the company to lick their faces!

She can be trained to stop being so frantic, but some of this does come with age. At three years old, she may just be ready to finally mature into the calm adult dog that you've always wished she was. I always tell my puppy people that the two *most* important qualities in a Boston person are patience and a sense of humor... It can take a Boston 3 years to mature, behavior-wise.

Training is essential, no matter the breed. Imagine me, with four of the bouncy little buggars dancing all around me 24 hours a day! ;) But, they know how to sit and stay if I tell them to... All the best to you and your Bossie!

Answer 4

Yes, it is part of the terrier breed to be overactive, if you could, take some planks of wood and line them up on their side, put your terrier on a leash, and run him through the "hurdles" that you have made. You could start doing an hour a day, and if that energy doesn't turn into terrier agility fame, take him to a vet, now adays they have many medications that Can help a dog settle down, maybe even a light tranquilizer that will give you. But one thing, really try at turning his energy into something that could turn him famous, cause then you'll be famous too!!! :-D

Answer 5

Neutering will NOT solve the problem. That is what was recommended to me nearly a year ago because I had a similar problem with my two male shepherds. I was looking for an easy solution to end the fights and I was told neutering would be that solution. It was not. I had them both neutered but I still have the same problem. The only thing neutering did was alter their personalities. My younger shepherd is now a big cowering baby and the older one is a lot lazier and he became more playful. Now, I manage the aggression between the two with training, discipline and by being the alpha in the house. There are still the occasional little problems but I know how to deal with it so the problems end very quickly. I would never neuter again because it was just not worth it. I understand you might be attached to the new dog but if you can not manage the two, re-homing the Boston may be your only solution.

Answer 6

From everything I have read about the breed, you're probably going to have to play games with her. I play "hide and seek" with my dog, I also play games where I hide treats and tell her to "find it". Sounds like you have a little smartie who needs a great deal of mental stimulation - not just exercise.

As far as separation anxieties - crate your dog when you leave. Sounds cruel, but it keeps her out of trouble and safe, and you sane.

Playing and chewing... if she takes it too far - stop. She'll pick up quickly that going too far means playtime is over. Just walk away from her and make no eye contact until she settles down a bit.

Here's a little info I read at http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bostonterrier.htm.
"Though bred at first for use in dog fights, today's Boston Terrier has been bred to have less aggressive tendencies. It is gentle, alert, very intelligent, and well-mannered. Enthusiastic and occasionally rambunctious, this breed has a sense of humor. They are very sensitive to the tone of one's voice. This breed likes to learn and therefore is not difficult to train. Their intelligence ensures they pick things up quickly. At times they can be somewhat willful. Some owners have reported that their dogs are good watchdogs barking only when necessary, while other owners have reported their female Boston Terriers do not bark at the door at all. Most reliable with children, especially good with elderly people and very friendly with strangers. The Boston Terrier is playful, very affectionate and likes to be part of the family. Very popular in the United States, due above all to its excellent character. They generally get along well with non-canine pets. Some males are dominant and may fight with other dogs. These little dogs may be difficult to housebreak. "

Answer 7

Usually terriers are very energetic because of what they are bred for. Try taking your dog on long walks or short runs.

Answer 8

I have a Boston, too, and she is very much the active little buggar. The females tend to be a bit more overactive than the males from what I understand. There are medications your vet can prescribe for the anxiety and they usually are not that expensive.

Answer 9

Pretty much just typical for the breed. She is a terrier after all.
If she has separation anxiety you can ask your vet about a medication that will help calm her.

Answer 10

Get her a playmate with a similiar personality. They can exhaust each other. Yes this is typical of the breed.