Dealing with an aggressive Boston Terrier (or any aggressive breed for that matter) probably isn’t what you imagined when you first became a new puppy parent.
But if you’ve found yourself on the receiving end of a dog that’s prone to displaying aggressive tendencies, then it’s time to take action and nip the problem in the bud.
The good news is that most cases of aggression can be managed with the right plan of action. To figure out what this plan is, you first need to diagnose what’s causing the aggression in the first place.
But before we get to that, I’ve got a recommendation for you.
It’s called the Dog Calming Code, and it’s been specially put together by Dan Abdelnoor over at the Online Dog Trainer to help calm aggression, encourage focus, and teach emotional control. (see video below)
If you’ve tried other methods to curb your dog’s aggression but come up empty-handed, this could be the missing piece in the puzzle.
Here’s the link to check it out: Click Here To Discover How To Finally Stop Your Boston Terriers Unwanted Aggression… Even If You’ve Tried & Failed Before!
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If you own a Boston Terrier, you know that they are one of the sweetest and most affectionate breeds in the world of pooches. But that does not mean that they are immune to aggression.
However, even though Boston terriers are generally meant to be calm and friendly, certain situations can make them aggressive.
In the majority of cases, Boston Terriers tend to be aggressive to other dogs. But there are some rare cases where they direct their aggressiveness to their owners.
So let’s take a look at what exactly triggers the aggression in Boston Terriers and how you can help put a stop to it once and for all.
Boston Terrier Temperament: What’s it like?
If you have done enough research about the history of Boston Terriers, you may have learned that they were bred as fighting dogs. In such a case, you would expect the resulting pooches to inadvertently portray aggressive behavior.
They came to be in the late 1860s in Liverpool, United Kingdom. The breed was a product of crossing a Bulldog and the English Terrier, which has since gone extinct. The original Boston Terrier was a tough, muscular dog and was nicknamed “American Gentleman.”
This was the first non-sporting breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club.
While the original Boston Terriers were bred to be fighting dogs, they were slowly transformed into the smaller, sweeter versions that we have today through selective breeding.
As a result, if you bring a Boston Terrier into your home today, you should bring home a dog that is non-aggressive, friendly, and easy-going.
Boston Terriers are known to be loyal family dogs, but they are not as wary of strangers as some breeds are. These dogs are also good at adapting well to children, thanks to their even temperament.
They can also be friendly to other dogs and cats, but they are not always comfortable being around bigger dogs.
Despite the fact that their fighting traits have faded off with time, some male Boston Terriers can still confront other dogs when trying to protect their territory.
In addition, Boston Terriers are known to have a high prey drive towards animals of smaller sizes, such as rodents and even small pets. One thing that you have to keep in mind, however, is that it is impossible to generalize this breed’s personality.
Each Boston has a different temperament which is mainly a result of how the dog has been raised.
While some remain calm and are more dignified, there are those that are hyperactive and high-spirited.
For this reason, it is always advisable that you ensure that you are okay with both energy levels before adopting a Boston Terrier.
Related Post: How To Calm An Aggressive Dog – Simple Tips For Aggressive Behavior
So Why Is My Boston Terrier Acting Aggressive?
Whenever your pooch exhibits any signs of aggression, you most probably are going to feel worried. That’s not necessary, however, taking into consideration that it is possible to change aggressive behavior in dogs.
But since the first step to solving aggression in dogs is to identify the cause, you will want to be aware of the reasons for aggression in dogs.
There are a couple of different reasons that will often make a Boston Terrier aggressive. The level of aggression in your dog will mostly depend on the cause of the aggression.
In that light, here are the main reasons why your Boston Terrier might be angry:
1. Illness or injury
When a dog becomes uncomfortable due to sickness or something like an injury, there is a possibility that they will respond to illness by being aggressive.
If your otherwise calm dog starts exhibiting aggressive behavior out of nowhere. The underlying cause could be injury or pain-causing illness.
The main reasons illnesses that are associated with pain in dogs include but are not limited to arthritis, lacerations, bone fractures, and internal injuries.
In some cases, however, conditions that affect a dog’s brain, such as cognitive dysfunction or the growth of a tumor can be the reason behind a dog’s change in behavior.
2. Possessiveness
Resource guarding is a common trait in dogs. Boston Terriers, despite being generally affectionate are not an exception.
They can become aggressive due to the fear of losing the things that are valuable to them.
Depending on your dog’s temperament, they are likely to growl if someone gets uncomfortably close to their food or toys. While other dogs will attack strangers who get too close to their home since that is a place they consider as territory.
The degree of possessive aggressiveness in Boston Terriers depends a lot on the extent to which the dog values an object.
The higher the value, the more aggressive and destructive your Boston might be.
3. Sexual aggression
This type of aggression is, in the right terms, referred to as intrasexual behavior because it only occurs between pooches of the same gender.
It most commonly occurs when a male dog competes with another male for the attention of a female that (in some circumstances) can trigger a serious fight.
4. Dominance
For dominance aggression to occur, a male dog will behave in an excessively confident manner when another male dog is in close proximity.
The dog being overly confident, will try to make themselves look bigger, more intimidating, and unfriendly. However, this kind of aggression will rarely result in a fight or other nasty effects of aggression.
It’s also rare for dogs to behave aggressively toward people, but that does not rule out the possibility of it happening.
Dogs that become aggressive due to reasons related to dominance are simply trying to make it clear that they are in charge.
5. Fear
It is a common occurrence for dogs to respond to fear through aggression. Dogs will instinctively defend themselves while in danger and can be aggressive whenever such situations arise.
One of the most common scenarios is when a dog is trapped with the possibility of being attacked.
If your Boston senses danger, especially when around unfamiliar people or when in a new environment, there is a high chance that they will become aggressive.
Some dogs can also show aggressive behavior as a result of a previous traumatic experience.
How To Calm An Aggressive Boston Terrier?
Boston Terriers are naturally smart, but even so, proper training is essential for them to display calm, even behavior.
This is why it is vital that your dog understands that you are the pack leader, as this will go a long way towards stopping a dog’s aggression.
Some of the things that you can do to deal with aggression in Boston Terriers include but are not limited to:
1. Proper training
Despite being a process that requires a lot of time to complete successfully, the right training techniques are vital in teaching the desired behavior in pooches.
With the right plan of action, you can manage the worst degree of aggression in dogs after a period of time.
This is where The Online Dog Trainer Program I mentioned earlier plays an essential part in the training process.
While it’s not a magic bullet for curing your dogs aggression instantly. By applying the exercises Dan talks about consistently, you’ll be well on your way to calming the aggressive tendencies in your pooch with just minutes of training a day.
Here’s the link to the program to take a look: Click Here To Start Your 3 Day Trial Of The Online Dog Trainer And Discover How To Finally Stop Your Boston Terriers Unwanted Aggression With Just Minutes A Day Of Training!
2. Get professional vet assistance to rule out injuries or illnesses
As mentioned earlier, aggressiveness in dogs can also be the result of an injury or illness.
To ensure that it is not the case, seek assistance from a vet.
A quick checkup should help your vet determine whether your dog is aggressive due to other triggers, not from illness or an injury. This is especially important if your dog was usually not aggressive before.
2. Socialize your dog
It is advisable that you start socializing your Boston Terrier while they’re still a pup. However, this does not mean that adult dogs are exempt from learning new social skills.
Just keep in mind that it might take an older dog a little longer to adapt to a new style of living, and they might be a few more bumps in the road compared to being socialized from an early age.
Just be aware that when socializing, that you introduce them to other dogs as well as people.
Related Post: How To Socialize An Aggressive Dog – A Step By Step Guide
Final Word
Boston Terriers will rarely exhibit aggression, and when they do, there’s usually a good reason. But whatever the culprit, just remember that consistency is key. But with the right plan of action, it’s by no means impossible to curb the aggressive tendencies in your dog.
Just remember to first identify the trigger and then take the necessary step to set your dog on the path of calm. And in time, their aggressive nature will become a thing of the past.
