Boston Terrier board and train

Boston Terrier board and train in Gloucester, MA: fear-free stays for the state dog's energy, barking and house training, paced for a short nose.

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A woman sits on the floor with a laptop while a Boston terrier lies on the couch behind her.

A Massachusetts original

The Boston Terrier is one of the few breeds developed in the United States, and it was born right here: in Boston in the late 1800s, from crosses between bulldog and terrier types. It became Massachusetts' official state dog in 1979. The AKC places the Boston Terrier in the Non-Sporting Group, and its tuxedo markings earned it the nickname "the American Gentleman."

Many Bostons live up to the nickname in the house: friendly, affectionate and fond of their people. The terrier side shows up as bursts of energy, a lively bark and a mischievous streak. Every Boston is an individual, and plenty are calmer than the breed's reputation.

Bursts of energy, then a nap

Bostons often have a pattern: an explosive few minutes of zooming, wrestling and play, then a deep nap. The problem comes when the explosions happen at the wrong moments, like during greetings, at the door or on a walk, or when the dog never learns to come down on its own.

Training teaches the Boston to switch from play to calm on cue. Games end with a settle, greetings are paid for four paws on the floor, and a place cue gives the dog a job when the house gets busy. Short, upbeat sessions suit the breed's energy and its breathing.

Bostons are also notorious for stealing socks, shoes and anything left at nose height. A strong leave-it, a trade game where the dog swaps a stolen item for a treat, and a tidy floor while habits form save a lot of chasing around the kitchen table. Chasing a Boston who has your glove usually teaches it that stealing starts the best game in the house.

Barking: the alert little terrier

Many Bostons bark at the door, at passing dogs and at sounds outside. It's alert behavior, often harmless, but it can annoy neighbors in close-set city and suburban houses. Training teaches a quiet alternative, such as going to place when the doorbell rings, and rewards calm when sounds happen. Our barking page explains the different types and what helps each one.

House training in a New England winter

Small dogs often have small bladders, and many Bostons dislike cold rain and snow. Put those together and house training can stall in a Massachusetts winter. The fix is a tight, predictable routine: outside after waking, eating and playing, rewards the moment the dog goes, and supervision or crate time in between.

A one-week Foundation stay builds that routine and crate comfort, then hands it to you at the go-home lesson. Our house training page covers the details, including what to do about accidents.

Heat and the short muzzle

Bostons are brachycephalic, with short muzzles that make cooling harder. In warm weather, sessions are kept short and cool, with shade, water and rest. Excitement is managed carefully, because a revved-up Boston breathes harder. Bostons also have prominent eyes, which are easy to injure in rough play, so play is supervised. Tell us about any health issues your vet has flagged.

Which program suits a Boston?

Gabby recommends a program at the assessment. Our small dogs page also explains how playgroups are matched by size so a Boston is safe and comfortable.

Your Boston	Likely fit	Why
Puppy or young dog	Foundation, 1 week	Routine, crate comfort, house manners, basics
Adult who barks and jumps at home	Foundation, 1 week	Place, impulse control, calmer greetings
Adolescent who pulls and reacts on walks	Advanced, 2 weeks	Neutrality, distraction proofing, outings

At home after a Boston stay

Keep the house-training schedule tight for several weeks. Use a harness on walks, and walk in the cooler hours in summer. Keep play short and end it with a calm settle. Reward quiet at the window. Practice greetings with visitors so the energy goes into a sit rather than a leap. Small, consistent habits make the biggest difference with this lively little dog.

The two programs

1 week · Puppies, young dogs & foundational manners Foundation Board & Train A one-week stay for puppies, young dogs and dogs missing the basics: obedience, leash skills, place, stay, recall, impulse control and household manners, with daily updates and a go-home lesson. Read about Foundation 2 weeks · Adolescent dogs & real-world reliability Advanced Board & Train A two-week stay for adolescent dogs and dogs who know their cues at home but lose them everywhere else: everything in Foundation, plus distraction proofing, real-world outings, neutrality and two go-home coaching lessons. Read about Advanced

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