Why Won’t My Boston Terrier Listen To Me?

This is a common question that most first-time Boston Terrier owners ask me. Before I answer your question, let me ask you a few instead:

If your answers are mostly in the negative, its time you seriously reconsider your role as a sincere Boston Terrier trainer and an ideal pet parent.

Learn how to bond with your Boston Terrier with this free mini course.

Get Your Boston Terrier To Listen To You

Before you begin any training, you must first establish yourself as the “ALPHA dog” of your family. Your Boston Terrier must know that you’re the leader of the pack and it is YOU who is in charge.

Here is a list of simple DO’s and DONT’s that you must follow if you want to be the Alpha:

Once you successfully established yourself as the Alpha, training your Boston Terrier and making him listen will be a lot easier than you can imagine. Remember, if your Boston Terrier does not learn to “listen”, all your training efforts will be in vain!

Does your Boston Terrier know his name? Does your Boston Terrier look at you whenever you call him by his name? This is the first and the most critical step involved in Boston Terrier Training. If your Boston Terrier doesn’t respond to his name, you cannot have his attention for teaching him any other commands.

To make sure that your Boston Terrier recognizes his name, take a treat in your hand and hold it away from your body. Call your Boston Terrier’s name. He is most likely to look at the treat in your hand. Continue calling his name until he turns and looks at your eyes. Give him the treat immediately. Repeat this exercise by holding the treat in the other hand. Once you’re sure that your Boston Terrier has learned to recognize his name, just call his name and reward him for looking at you by petting or with a hug.

You must understand that Boston Terriers respond far better to positive reinforcement than they do to coercion or force.

Learn how to train your Boston Terrier better with this free mini course.

Summer is fast approaching – and today I’m writing to you from Florida – so it feels like summer is already here!

I’m really looking forward to spending some time in the sand with my Lucy girl this year so I thought I’d put together some beach tips for you and your Boston Terrier.

Beach Basics for Summer!

1. Make Sure Dogs Are Welcome
   Here in Florida, there are rules about which areas of the beach allow dogs. Often times the dog beaches will have certain days of the week and times where people are allowed to bring their dogs! You’ll also want to make sure it’s an off-leash dog beach if you want to let your dog run around and play!
2. Think Sun Protection
   A lot of people don’t know this, but dogs need protection from the sun, just like us humans! Bring some shade (think big beach umbrella) or scout out some good shade under a palm tree. You may also want to bring a big blanket for you and your dog, since the sun can get very hot!
3. Doggie Goggles and Canine Sunscreen – Are You Serious?!
   Yes, they DO make doggie goggles and canine sunblock. It’s definitely worth considering if you think you’ll be outside for a few hours. Make sure to cover your dog’s ears, nose, and legs. You may also need to reapply sunscreen when your dog gets out of the water.
4. Check Beach Conditions
   Sea lice, jellyfish, and riptides can be dangerous for dogs too! Look for warning flags or check-in with a lifeguard to see if there are any hazardous conditions.
5. Stay Hydrated!
   Keep your Boston Terrier hydrated with fresh, clean water. Salt water isn’t safe for dogs and could end up making your dog sick! Make sure to bring a bowl and plenty of clean, fresh water.
6. Know When Enough is Enough!
   Don’t let your dog over-do it. I know my dog gets caught up in the fun, and she doesn’t realize how exhausted she is. Make sure you have some breaks!
7. Be Respectful of Other Beach-Goers
   Make sure your dog doesn’t become a nuisance to other humans and dogs.
8. Don’t Forget the Poop Bags!
   Always pick up after your dog. The beach is a beautiful natural resource, so please do your best to keep it that way!
9. Don’t Forget Bath Time
   You’ll want to rinse the salt water off your dog before heading home in addition to giving him/her a proper bath when you get home!

Fun Toys/Games To Play With Your Dog at the Beach!

• Floatable toy to play swim fetch
• Tennis ball
• Frisbee
• Let your dog dig! (this is the one place it’s okay!)
• Rope toy (tug-o-war!)
• Floatation jacket (in case your doggie can’t swim!)
• A boogie board (if you have a dog that just wants to chill on the water)
• Beach ball
• Chuck it (ball launcher)

Hope you all have a fun and safe summer at the beach this year! Let me know what you and your dog are up to this summer, and if you do have a chance to make it to the beach this year, send me a photo or post it on the Boston Terrier Secrets facebook page!

Now go … beach it up with your Boston!

What makes a Boston Terrier the happiest dog in the world – TREATS!

And more specifically: NUDGES CHICKEN JERKY TREATS!

Since I’m a dog blogger, I was asked to try out Nudges jerky treats … and give my honest feedback of the product.

I’ll admit that I hadn’t heard of the treats before I was approached to do the review — so naturally I wanted to do more research before I let my Lucy try them.

After learning that Nudges are made in the USA with real chicken, 11 essential vitamins, and they don’t have any artificial flavors or fillers … my concerns were put at ease and I decided to let Lucy give them a try.

The chicken jerky treats made in Independence, IA, with quality, safety and pride, where every batch is tested to ensure they are safe.

I took Lucy down to the local dog park where we tried the treats for the very first time! And let’s just say she LOVED them. When I opened the package, she was all over me. She could smell them right away and was barking and just dying to try them.

Here’s a quick video of her trying out the product!

The only thing she had a little trouble with was chewing them, they’re rather large. If you have a smaller dog so keep that in mind when buying! The package advises to tear the treats in half for smaller dogs and includes a feeding chart with recommendations on how much to give your dog.

Nudges are available at Wal-Mart and Kroger stores nationwide. If you’d like to give your Boston terrier a new healthy treat, I urge you to give them a try!

And you can check them out on Facebook here.

Has your dog ever tried Nudges? What’s your experience with them? Let me know in the comments!

I have written this post on behalf of BlogPaws Pet Blogger Network for Nudges. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Nudges Wholesome Dog Treats , but Boston Terrier Secrets only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.

If you just got a puppy and you’re looking for fun and popular dog names, you may want to check out some of these names that are trending amongst dog enthusiasts in 2013.

You may not end up going with one of these names, but they’re just a couple ideas to help get you brainstorming!

A great dog name fits a dog’s personality and helps distinguish the animal as a part of the family. I also like it when a dog’s name goes along with the breed history. So if you have a German Shepherd, a name like Gunther works. Since Boston Terriers are American it’s a little more difficult, maybe something like Thomas or Alice.

If you have other great dog name ideas, leave a picture and a comment at the end of this post or over at our Facebook page!

Top Male Dog Names

1. Dexter
2. Thor
3. Gunner
4. Bentley
5. Jax
6. Ace
7. Leo
8. King
9. Simba
10. Milo

Top Female Dog Names

1. Luna
2. Layla
3. Piper
4. Nala
5. Stella
6. Willow
7. Maya
8. Athena
9. Charlie
10. Ella

Photo Courtesy of Shannon Gini from Facebook.

The first step in making your Boston Terrier fit for polite company would be to potty train him. Some see this training as a hassle and some as a challenge.

For me, it is part of bringing up a pet.

Click here to subscribe to a FREE course on housetraining puppies and dogs.

There are a few things you need to know before you actually start potty training a puppy or adult Boston Terrier. I enumerate these below:

Click here to subscribe to a FREE course on house training puppies and dogs.

Now we will move on to how to potty train puppies and adult dogs.

Potty Training A Puppy:

Irrespective of breeds, housetraining a puppy is considered to be one of the biggest challenges by dog owners. If you think housetraining your puppy simply involves a steady supply of old newspapers, then think again.

A puppy does not develop full control over his bladder until it is over 4 or 5 months old. Since they are growing and developing rapidly at this time, puppies eat more, burn more calories and need to eliminate more frequently than an adult Boston Terrier.

After each nap, meal, drink or play, take your puppy to his designated area (indoors or outdoors, wherever you have decided) and stay there until it eliminates. Then bring him to his crate.

Repeat this situation everyday until he has developed a habit out of it.

Click here to subscribe to a FREE course on housebreaking a puppy.

Potty Training An Adult Boston Terrier:

The best way to housetrain an adult Boston Terrier is to begin all over again.

Observe him very closely. Maybe even maintain a diary of where he goes and when. Whether he is pooping when you are home or only when you are outside; whether you can time yourself to be home when he feels the need to go outside.

You can try dog crates, but be careful to introduce him gradually to them.

Click here to subscribe to a FREE course on potty training a dog.

Remember, commitment, consistency and intelligent use of positive reinforcement will make you the owner of a perfectly housetrained Boston Terrier. Don’t expect miracles. You will only be disappointed.

Get this FREE course on potty training a dog.

Get this unique Housetraining guide and start Housebreaking Your Boston Terrier Today.

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Have you heard what people are saying about the new Pedigree formula?

I haven’t personally tried it or bought it for my dog yet, but so far I’ve heard nothing but great things about it!

The new dry formula was created around the 4 Universal Needs of dogs: healthy skin and coat, great oral care, good digestion, and a strong immune system.

Skin and Coat

As you may know, skin is your dog’s largest organ and it plays a major role in protecting him/her from bacteria and viruses. It also helps regulate your dog’s core temperature. That’s why Pedigree added zinc and linoleic acid to their food.

Oral Care

80% of adult dogs suffer from periodontal disease- that can lead to heart, lung, and kidney problems. So Pedigree created a formula that would help support healthy teeth and gums.

Healthy Digestion & Immune Support

The new Pedigree formula contains more fiber to help with digestion. The fiber helps control bacteria, nutrient absorption, and weight management. They’ve also added Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and other antioxidants to help boost immunity.

The jury is still out on whether or not my dog, Lucy likes it. But if you know of a dog that has tried it, please let me know how it worked out by leaving a comment below! 

For more info about Pedigree, read their nutrition report by clicking here or visit their website at Pedigree.com.

As a loving dog owner, it’s hard not to spoil that sweet Boston of yours. However, it’s important to not let those extra treats lead to too many extra pounds for your pup. Unfortunately, canine obesity is all too common and contributes to numerous health risks for all breeds including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Prevention is your best bet when it comes to avoiding the health complications associated with obesity, but steps can be taken to achieve a healthy weight of your pooch does pack on some extra pounds.

Causes of Obesity in Dogs:

Just like people, dogs become overweight or obese when their energy intake exceeds their energy expenditure. The excess energy, or calories, is stored as fat. Sometimes, a medical condition may be to blame for your dog’s weight problem. Consult your veterinarian if your dog eats well, is physically active, and is still gaining weight. The underlying cause of your dog’s obesity might be hypothyroidism, insulinoma, hyperadrenocorticism, or another condition. Treating these diseases with the correct pet medications as prescribed by your veterinarian may help your dog get back to a healthy weight.

Treating Obesity in Dogs:

If you have concerns about your dog’s weight, visit your veterinarian for a full physical examination and weight assessment. Your veterinarian can determine whether your dog is overweight by feeling for his ribs and backbone. In overweight dogs, there is no noticeable waist and a layer fat covers the backbone and ribs.

If your dog is overweight or obese, your veterinarian will work with you to develop a diet and exercise plan to improve your pet’s health. Dietary changes may involve increasing the amount of fiber in your dog’s diet, cutting portion sizes, and eliminating treats. If your dog suffers from diabetes or another health condition, more intensive dietary modifications may be necessary.

Regular exercise is essential to burn calories and reduce appetite. If your dog hasn’t been active for a while, a gradual increase in activity is important to prevent injury. Arthritic dogs may need assistance in becoming more active.

In addition to exercise and dietary changes, any successful weight management program for dogs involves changes in your behavior, too. Your dog did not become obese without your help, and you will need to modify your behavior to ensure your pet’s weight loss efforts are successful. Begin by removing your pet from the dining room when your family eats dinner, and resist the urge to offer frequent snacks and treats to your dog. Reward your dog’s good behavior with non-food related attention, such as playing or petting. Most importantly, keep your dog’s veterinary appointments and work closely with your vet to ensure continued health and happiness for your canine companion!

A Guest Post by VetDepot.

Lucy has completed the Eukanuba 28 Day Challenge, and it has been a great experience all around! Lucy loves the taste of the food, and throughout the challenge I noticed significant improvements in her energy levels, mood, gassiness, and breath.

I plan on keeping Lucy on Eukanuba moving forward; however, I love researching new dog foods and trying new brands, so I may still have Lucy try some others.

I recommend you try Eukanuba if you’re looking for a high quality, nutritious dog food. I know that every dog is different and you may have to try a few to see which blend works best for your dog.

And now that I’ve completed the Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge, I’m offering everyone an opportunity to try any formula of Eukanuba food for free!

I am giving away one voucher for one FREE bag of any Eukanuba Dog Food up to 40lbs to one of my readers that are interested in trying their food.

There are 3 ways you can qualify:

1. Add a comment to this blog post that tells me why you want to take the Eukanuba 28 Day Challenge and why you should win the voucher.
2. Tweet about this blog post and leave the URL to that Tweet in a comment on this post.
3. You can blog about this blog post and leave the URL to your post in a comment on this post.

You can qualify by one or all three of these methods. I will choose from all comments received and will announce the winner next week!

Well, Lucy’s on week 3 of the Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge, and so far so good!

This week she’s been eating a little less than normal which makes me think that she’s getting enough nutrition in a smaller amount of food.

She was a healthy weight before starting the challenge and so nothing has really changed as far as that goes.

Her breath has improved and her coat, nails, eyes, ears, and teeth all seem to be doing just fine. She wasn’t really having trouble with them before, but she is still in good shape!

She’s a very active 3 year old dog and still has the energy she did when she was on Blue Buffalo.

I will be wrapping up the challenge the beginning of next week so stay tuned for more updates!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Lucy is loving the Eukanuba Dog Food – she always eats her food right away now!

Before Lucy started the Eukanuba Challenge she was eating Blue Buffalo. She would sometimes just take a couple bites of food and walk away. She’d usually come back and finish it a few hours later, but she didn’t seem excited about eating it.

The main change that I’ve noticed since being on the new food, is that she’s less gassy.

In the past, Lucy has always had the worst gas. Since switching her food, I’ve noticed that her gas isn’t as smelly or as frequent, so that’s a definite plus

Lucy’s temperament and energy levels haven’t changed too much. She is still the same sleepy and playful Boston terrier she’s always been.

Her poops look good– they’re firm, moist, and consistent from day to day.

I believe Lucy is enjoying the Eukanuba and is feeling healthy and happy! Stay tuned for more updates!