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Congratulations on your new Boston Terrier puppy! These affectionate, clever dogs bring endless joy and personality, but training and caring for them require consistency and patience. Here’s everything you need for a happy, healthy, and well-trained Boston Terrier!
Checklist: Must-Haves for a Boston Terrier Puppy
Cozy Crate & Bed: Select a crate with enough room for your puppy to turn around and lay comfortably, as crate training is invaluable for safety and potty training.
Exercise Pen: When you can't watch your puppy, attach an exercise pen (and put potty pads in it) to its crate so that it has a place to exercise and potty.
Food and Water Bowls: Durable, chew-proof, and easy to clean, pick non toxic options such as stainless steel, ceramic, or glass
High-Quality Puppy Food: Choose a vet-recommended brand suited to small breeds, we use Blue Buffalo, Purina Pro, or Open Farm
Leash and Adjustable Harness: Use a comfortable harness to avoid neck strain.
Training Pads: For easy indoor potty training.
Chew Toys: Soft, puppy-friendly chew toys help soothe teething. Also cow hooves or bully sticks (never leave your puppy alone with a chew toy as all toys can potentially become a choking hazard).
Grooming Kit: Include a gentle brush, nail trimmers, toothbrush, dog safe toothpaste, and mild, organic puppy shampoo.
ID Tag and Collar: Essential for safety if your curious pup ever wanders off.
Age-Based Puppy Training Schedule
Training builds the foundation for a well-mannered adult dog, so starting early is key. Here’s a step-by-step guide to teaching your Boston Terrier good behavior from day one. I recommend purchasing Puppy Culture for Owners and attending a local puppy training class with your puppy.
8-12 Weeks: Getting Started on the Basics
Start with crate training and potty training, and establish a reliable daily routine. Lead them to their crate at bedtime and praise them when they settle in. Begin teaching basic commands like “sit” and “stay” through short, 5-minute sessions to keep them engaged.
Tips:
Use treats and praise as positive reinforcement.
Avoid loud noises, as Boston Terriers can be sensitive.
Once your puppy has adjusted to its new home, work on name recognition by calling their name during play or feeding. It’s also a good time to introduce the “come” command. Socialization is crucial at this stage; gently expose them to new people, pets, and environments while reinforcing calm behavior.
Tips:
Keep sessions short, fun, and engaging.
Gradually increase the number of people or places they encounter to build confidence.
12-16 Weeks: Building a Strong Foundation
During this phase, focus on recall training (perfecting “come”) and introduce gentle leash-walking. Practice these skills indoors before venturing outside, where distractions are abundant. By reinforcing consistent responses, your Boston will learn to listen even in stimulating environments.
Tips:
Keep a short leash to encourage walking alongside you.
Reward your puppy for checking in or staying near.
4-6 Months: Expanding Commands and Addressing Play-Biting
As your Boston Terrier grows, add more commands like “down,” “leave it,” and “drop it.” Set aside dedicated training time each day, as routine helps puppies learn. Redirect play-biting with toys to show that hands aren’t for chewing.
Tips:
Introduce brief training sessions in new environments to reinforce these commands.
If your puppy bites during play, stop playtime briefly to show them biting is a no-go.
6+ Months: Advanced Training and Consistency
By now, your puppy will be familiar with most basic commands, and you can move on to more complex tasks like “heel” for walking politely. Encourage them to maintain their focus in different settings. At this age, it’s also a good time to establish “place” or a dedicated spot where they can relax on command.
Tips:
Continue using positive reinforcement as your primary training tool.
Make training sessions part of your daily routine to reinforce all commands.
Exercise Guide: Safe Activities for a Growing Boston Terrier
Boston Terriers are playful but have specific exercise needs that keep their joints safe as they grow. Puppy growth plates, which are areas of developing cartilage located at the ends of long bones, typically haven’t fully formed or sealed until the puppy reaches maturity. For most small to medium breeds, this process is usually completed by around 12 to 18 months of age, while larger breeds may take up to 18 to 24 months. It's important to avoid excessive jumping or strenuous exercise during this growth phase to protect the developing bones.
Here’s an age-based guide to healthy exercise:
8-12 Weeks: Gentle Play Only
Boston Terrier puppies are small and have fragile growth plates, so limit exercise to gentle, 5-minute play sessions, and avoid stairs or jumps. Short, supervised walks outside are fine, but keep them brief.
3-6 Months: Light Walks and Play
Now that they’re slightly older, you can extend exercise to 15-20 minutes. Short walks, indoor fetch, and brain puzzles are ideal. Avoid rough terrain or jumping activities until your puppy’s body is stronger.
6+ Months: Moderate Exercise
At this stage, Boston Terriers are usually ready for 20-30 minute walks twice a day, plus some gentle playtime. Boston Terriers love games like fetch, but avoid excessive running until they’re over a year old. This helps prevent strain on their joints.
Training Tips for Boston Terrier Parents
Consistency is Key: Keep commands consistent and routines predictable.
Reward Good Behavior: Use treats, toys, and enthusiastic praise to encourage desired behavior.
Avoid Punishment: Boston Terriers respond better to positive reinforcement.
Keep Sessions Short: Puppies have short attention spans, so limit each session to 5-10 minutes.
Patience Pays Off: Training takes time, so approach each milestone with patience and joy!
Enjoy the journey with your Boston Terrier puppy. With a little planning and a lot of love, you’re on your way to raising a well-behaved, happy companion who will be by your side for years to come.
Photo from Canva
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