Dealing with Stubbornness in Boston Terriers

Boston Terriers are intelligent but notoriously stubborn. This guide provides positive reinforcement strategies that work well for their independent personality, without harsh corrections that can damage your bond.

🔍 Understanding Boston Stubbornness

💡 Not Stubborn, Just Independent!

Boston Terriers aren’t being “bad” - they’re making independent decisions and choosing what they want to do. This independence is a trait that made them excellent ratters!

Key Traits

Problem-solvers: Natural inclination to figure things out
Independent thinkers: Prefer to make their own choices
Socially intelligent: Great at reading people and dogs
Bored easily: Repetitive tasks frustrate them
Food motivated: Use treats wisely for leverage

🎯 Positive Reinforcement Strategies

Strategy 1: “Yes, And…” Technique

When your Boston refuses a command, don’t force it. Instead:

What to Do:

Make the request something they WANT to do
Add “yes” before the desired action
Reward compliance immediately

Examples:

❌ “Come here!” (your Boston keeps sniffing)
✅ “Want to go outside? Yes? Great, let’s go!” + treat
❌ “Drop it!” (your Boston thinks it’s a game)
✅ “Ready to drop? Yes? Good girl!” + praise

Strategy 2: The “Opposite Choice” Technique

Give them two options where both lead to your desired outcome:

For recall training:

“Do you want to come inside? Yes, come here!” (treat)
“Or keep playing? Your choice!” (they come inside = win!)

For leash walking:

“Walk this way? Yes? Great, let’s go!” (treat)
“Or check out that tree? Sure!” (they come back = win!)

Strategy 3: The “Make It Worth Their While” Technique

If your Boston hesitates, increase the reward value to motivate compliance:

Example for recall:

First call: “Come!” (regular praise)
Immediate response: High-value treat
Delayed calls: Even better treats

✅ SF Member Tip

From the SF Bosties group: “We use double rewards for especially stubborn moments. First call gets regular treat, second call gets the jackpot!”

Strategy 4: Variable Rewards

Keep your Boston guessing by varying reward quality:

Reward Hierarchy:

Difficulty	Reward	When to Use
Easy task	Small treat	Daily training
Moderate task	Medium treat	New situations
Challenging task	High-value treat	Difficult distractions

🎓 Training Method Alternatives

Method 1: Capture and Reward

Instead of forcing behaviors:

Wait for desired behavior to happen naturally
Mark the moment it occurs with “Good girl/boy!”
Reward immediately with high-value treat
Repeat and gradually increase criteria

For “Stay” command:

Wait for dog to sit (even briefly)
Mark with “Good stay!”
Reward while still in position
Gradually increase time (start at 3 seconds, work up to 10+)

Method 2: The “Play First” Technique

✅ SF Weather Context

Boston Terriers have more energy when it’s cool and foggy in SF. Perfect training time!

Play first to burn energy (5-10 minutes)
Then train when they’re more focused
Avoid training right before meals (they’ll be hungry!)

Method 3: The “Surprise” Element

Introduce random elements to keep training interesting:

Ideas:

Train in different rooms
Use new toys or props
Practice with different family members
Train in different locations (parks vs. backyard)
Randomize the order of commands

🚧 Common Stubbornness Scenarios & Solutions

Scenario 1: Refuses to Walk on Leash

What’s Happening: Your Boston sits or lies down and won’t move.

Why:

Tired or bored
Too hot outside (brachycephalic dogs overheat easily)
Distracted by something more interesting
Uncomfortable harness or leash

Solutions:

Check the weather first (see Heat Intolerance guide)
Let your Boston sniff and explore first
Shorten the leash for better control
Use high-value treats
Try a different route (more shade, less boring)
Wait until it’s cooler (evening or morning)

Scenario 2: Refuses to Come When Called

What’s Happening: Your Boston ignores recall and continues what they’re doing.

Why:

Something more interesting (scent, squirrel, another dog)
Not hungry enough
Distracted environment
Overwhelmed by too much distance
Fear or anxiety

Solutions:

Start close and gradually increase distance
Practice in low-distraction environments first
Use higher-value treats for outdoor recall
Never call multiple times (once, then go get them!)
Practice “touch and go” - touch your shoulder, immediately say “go” and run away
Don’t punish when they finally come - celebrate the success!

Scenario 3: Won’t Give Up Item or Drop Ball

What’s Happening: Your Boston has something in their mouth and refuses to release.

Why:

Resource guarding instinct
Not taught “drop it” properly
Doesn’t want the game to end
Thinks they’ll get more attention by keeping it

Solutions:

Teach “trade” from early age
Have high-value treats ready for exchange
Practice with lower-value items they WILL drop
Never physically pry from mouth (dangerous!)
Teach “drop” command separately with positive reinforcement
End game sessions on your terms

Scenario 4: Refuses Crate Entry

What’s Happening: Your Boston resists going into their crate.

Why:

Negative associations with crate
Wants to stay with you
Doesn’t want to be confined
Separation anxiety

Solutions:

Make crate amazing (comfortable bed, favorite toys, treats)
Feed meals in crate (builds positive association)
Hide treats in crate for discovery
Practice “go to place” without closing door (gradually)
Never force them in
Stay nearby initially, then gradually increase distance

Scenario 5: Won’t Groom or Handle Paws

What’s Happening: Your Boston pulls away from handling or grooming.

Why:

Previous bad experiences
Sensitive or painful area
Fear or mistrust
Rough handling technique
Simply doesn’t want to be touched right now

Solutions:

Go slow with introductions
Use high-value treats during handling
Short, positive sessions (1-2 minutes max)
Associate handling with good things (treats, praise)
Never force or hold down
Let them end the session on their terms

🎉 Building Trust

The Relationship Bank Account

Think of your interactions as deposits in a “trust bank” with your Boston. Every positive interaction increases their balance and willingness to cooperate with you.

Make Deposits:

Training sessions that end positively
Playtime that’s fun and follows their lead
Gentle handling that feels good
Exploration adventures where you let them choose
Cuddling on their terms (come to you vs. forcing)

Avoid Withdrawals:

Harsh corrections (yelling, physical punishment)
Forced compliance
Ending sessions on a negative note
Breaking trust (forcing, lying, harsh handling)

Rebuilding After Withdrawals

If trust has been damaged:

Go back to basics with easier tasks
Increase treats and praise significantly
Focus on relationship over obedience
Be patient - trust takes time to rebuild
Consider professional help if needed

📊 Training Timeline

Week	Focus	Sessions	Success Criteria
Week 1	Build trust	Daily (5 min)	Happy to interact
Week 2-3	Basic commands	3x/day (10 min)	80%+ compliance
Week 4-6	Distractions	2x/day (15 min)	Reliable recall
Week 7+	Real world	As needed	Consistent anywhere

✅ Remember: Stubborn = Intelligent!

A stubborn Boston Terrier is often also a smart, thinking Boston Terrier. The key is working WITH their independence, not against it!

🌉 SF-Specific Considerations

Weather and Energy Levels

Warm, Sunny Days (70°F+):

Short sessions (5-10 minutes)
Indoor training or very early morning
Water breaks every 5 minutes
Watch for overheating signs

Cool, Overcast Days (60-70°F):

Longer sessions possible (15-20 minutes)
Great time for outdoor training
Ideal for introducing new behaviors

SF Distractions Training

Gradual Exposure Plan:

Week	Distraction Level	Location	Goal
Week 1	Very low	Your living room	Basic commands
Week 2	Low	Quiet park corner	Adding movement
Week 3-4	Moderate	Less busy park area	Commands + mild distractions
Week 5+	High	Busy park (Stern Grove)	Full obedience

💡 See SF Dog Parks

Our SF Dog Parks page has details on the best spots for training.

📞 When to Seek Professional Help

⚠️ Not a Sign of Failure

Consider professional training if:

Stubbornness persists beyond 6-8 weeks of consistent effort

Aggression or reactivity develops

Separation anxiety prevents training

You’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated

Previous methods aren’t working

What to Look For:

Boston Terrier experience (knows the breed’s quirks)
Positive reinforcement methods only (no aversion techniques)
Willingness to work with your veterinarian
Clear communication and expectations

Finding a Trainer: See our SF Resources page for trainer recommendations who understand brachycephalic dogs.

Last updated: January 13, 2026

Disclaimer: This guide represents experiences shared by members of SF Boston Terriers and is for informational purposes only. SFBosties is not responsible for outdated or inaccurate information—please independently verify all details. For serious behavioral issues or aggression, always consult with a professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist.