In This Chapter
- Determining whether a Boston Terrier is the right dog for you
- Understanding how your Boston will fit into the family
- Delegating responsibility to family members
- Analyzing the real costs of dog ownership
High-spirited dogs, like a
Boston, require even more tolerance and understanding. Boston Terriers are
intelligent pets, and they develop many interests and need challenging
activities to keep their busy minds occupied. When you’re choosing a type of
dog to bring into your home, you should consider not only the dog’s needs, but
your needs, too. Your family’s expectations and lifestyle should match what
needs the dog may have.
You can discover more about the
responsibilities involved in raising a Boston Terrier in the pages that follow.
This chapter is really all about what you and your family can expect when you
commit to care for your Boston.
Judging Your Compatibility
Truly an American Gentleman, your
Boston Terrier will complement your household. Gentle and kind, entertaining
and comical, he will make you laugh with his antics and personality.
Tip
Boston Terriers make wonderful pets, especially for young, active families or empty-nesters looking to add a dog to their home. Bostons do very well with children; mature Bostons have been known to stoically take almost any teasing or roughhousing that a child can dole out! And because the dogs are so gentle and wellmannered, they make ideal companions for seniors who may not physically be able to vigorously exercise their pet.
If you and your family can commit
to providing the dog what he needs to thrive, like devoted training time, a
regular schedule, patience and understanding, near constant companionship, and lots
of love and attention, then you may have found a match made in Boston! Here,
you can read more about these traits that your Boston needs to succeed.
Considering terrier needs
Though your Boston is a terrier,
he’s not as rambunctious as some breeds. He is lively and curious, but he’s far
from his vermin-chaser roots. (See Chapter Tracking the Boston Terrier for more details about the Boston
personality.)
Remember
To thrive in your household, he’ll need some boundaries to keep him safe and content:
- Security: Bostons don’t make very vicious guard dogs. Your Boston will rarely bark, unless he’s trying to communicate with you. He’ll welcome strangers with a playful lick and wag, and would happily go home with just about anyone — as long as treats and attention are involved. For this reason, your Boston must be kept in a fenced or enclosed yard. And when you walk with him, he must always be on a leash.
- Training: A very intelligent dog, your Boston will benefit greatly from puppy kindergarten and basic training classes. He may choose to chase a butterfly or play with his classmates because he is easily distracted, but patience is paramount. If you’re diligent with his training, it will pay off in the long-run. For more info on training, flip to Chapter Training and Behavior.
- Indoor living: Because of your Boston’s short coat and short, flat nose, your dog will spend much of his time inside with you. He won’t tolerate extreme temperatures or weather well. When he is outside during the summer, you’ll need to provide a cool, shady area for your pup; during the winter, you’ll want to bundle him up before braving the elements.
- Regular schedule: Your Boston will also need to be welcomed and loved by your entire family. Each person should dedicate him- or herself to caring and nurturing the puppy or adult dog. Establish chores for each person, agree to use the same training tools, and remember that this dog is part of the family.
Are you ready for a Boston?
You are ultimately responsible for the health and
well-being of your Boston. Does your household embody these characteristics?
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Impatient owners need not apply
In general, dog owners need to be
patient and dedicated, and for owners of a Boston Terrier, this statement
couldn’t be more true. Because he has terrier blood coursing through his veins,
he will be rambunctious and willful at times, pushing boundaries and testing your
tolerance. He is also very intelligent, which makes training easy, but when
that wit combines with a willful attitude, you may need to out-think your dog.
You can expect to teach your dog
everything from housetraining to behaving properly around other dogs. He’ll
look to you for guidance in any given circumstance, so you’ll need to be prepared
to lead your pup in a loving, tolerant way.
Accidents and trials will happen,
and you will need to endure them as any parent would. A male may mark his
territory. Your dog may use your favorite shoes as chew toys. Dog proofing your
home may detract from its décor. At the same time, your dog will absolutely adore
you, and your health will benefit from sharing your home with a pet. After you
welcome a dog into your home, your life will never be the same again!
Remember
If you’re willing to devote energy to raising your Boston, he’ll reward you with lifelong love and companionship. A patient and understanding pet owner will raise a well-mannered pup. It just takes time and dedication.
At-home time: It’s a necessity
If you have the time to dedicate
to raising a dog, a Boston makes a wonderful companion in virtually any
household.
Boston Terriers love to spend
time with their human caretakers. Through decades of selecting for specific
traits, breeders have fostered characteristics that make these dogs companion
animals. Because they’re extroverts, Bostons thrive on contact with their family
and suffer if left alone for long periods of time.
An ideal home for a Boston is one
that buzzes with activity all day long. Bostons aren’t happy being alone and
often benefit from having a Boston brother or sister. When properly socialized
and trained, they get along splendidly with children and other pets, both
canine and non-canine.
Warning!
Your Boston will want to spend all his time with you and your family. If you travel frequently, work long hours, or are otherwise committed to tasks that require you to be away from home for long periods of time, you should think twice about adding this dog to your home. And if you’re experiencing major life changes, such as changing jobs, expecting a baby, mourning a death, or coping with a serious illness, you may want to hold off on purchasing a puppy.
Establishing Family Dynamics
When you choose to adopt a Boston
Terrier, he will become an integral part of your family. He is still a dog, but
many of the decisions you make about travel, hobbies, purchases, décor, and
lifestyle will require you to consider your family pet.
Because of this new ball of fur,
the dynamics of your family will change when your Boston comes home. Each
individual — from the adults to the children — will have new responsibilities.
As a family, you will need to communicate more with each other, making sure that
each person is on the same page when it comes to training and discipline. It
will be a learning experience for all of you.
If you have other pets, their
roles will shift as well, especially as the animals establish their dominance
order. Dogs are pack animals, so as soon as your Boston comes home, he’ll naturally
discern his place in your household ranking system. Just as your family will
adjust to the duties and responsibilities of owning a new pet, your Boston will
need to adjust to his new surroundings, too.
Knowing who the main caregiver will be: You
If children are part of your
family, it’s likely that your son or daughter is prompting the purchase of your
puppy.
New and novel in her young world,
your child will insist that she will care for the dog, feed him, clean up after
him, and bathe him. And she just might — for a time. She’ll be happy to take
your Boston on walks and play fetch, but when it comes to getting up at 6 a.m.
and taking him to the bathroom, or cleaning up an accident in the middle of the
living room floor, she’ll likely balk.
Remember
The reality is that you — the adult — will ultimately do most of the work in raising and caring for the dog. You’ll be the one taking him to the bathroom in the middle of the night. You’ll be the one who makes sure he has the right amounts of food and water. You’ll be the one who structures his playtime and makes sure that he socializes with other animals and humans.
Understanding your children’s role
Most children love dogs. They’ll
play together from sunup to sundown, becoming constant companions and quick
best friends.
Children, and even teenagers,
however, can’t be expected to be the sole caregivers of a pet. Soccer games,
schoolwork, and social engagements often interfere with the day-to-day
responsibilities associated with raising and caring for a dog.
You can, however, delegate
specific tasks to your children. If you have more than one child, consider
rotating chores to broaden their experiences. Later in the chapter, you’ll find
a list of duties suitable for children of any age.
Helping your four-legged friends get along with each other
Most Boston Terriers are
courteous and laid back enough to get along with other pets, both canine and
non-canine varieties. When raised from puppyhood in a home filled with other
animals, Bostons will learn to fit in without a hitch. With time and training, adult
Bostons, too, can be trained to bunk with other pets.
Warning!
Keep in mind, however, that Bostons retain their terrier roots and may try to chase down a pocket pet, like a guinea pig or rat. Cautiously introduce them to each other in a safe, neutral environment, gradually giving each more freedom to sniff out the other. Even if they do get along, supervise them. You don’t want your Boston making a toy out of your beloved bunny!
If you care for an easily spooked
or alpha cat, you can minimize the hissing and flying fur by following these
steps:
1. Leave your Boston in his
crate during the first few introductions.
Carefully hold the cat and sit
next to the kennel containing your dog. Let them smell each other through the
kennel walls or bars, and watch their reactions. If your cat hisses and bears
her claws, or if your puppy whimpers, back away slowly and try again the next
day, gradually increasing the time they spend together. Give both animals lots
of praise when they can tolerate each other’s company.
2. After your cat shows signs
of being comfortable with your Boston, let your cat walk freely around the
kennel until she grows accustomed to the new smell.
As soon as she sniffs his kennel
and approves of his presence, she’ll ignore the kennel and likely perch
somewhere, watching your new little dog and keeping a keen eye on every move he
makes.
3. In time, you’ll be able to
leave your dog’s kennel door open, and they’ll freely interact.
When you can give them this
freedom depends on your cat’s tolerance of the dog and your Boston’s exuberance
level. An uptight cat may become annoyed by a playful pup, whereas a docile dog
won’t cause a ruckus at all. Watch your animals closely until you’re absolutely
confident that they’ll get along. Ideally, they’ll be best friends before long,
sharing the same cushy bed.
Chapter Socializing for Life contains more advice
on making sure your Boston behaves like a gentleman around other animals (and
people).
Divvying Up Duties
Who knew that welcoming a dog
into your household could open up so many job opportunities! Each family member
will have some sort of daily doggy duty to perform. Because humans have
welcomed dogs into the domestic setting, your Boston can’t care for himself as
he would in the wild, so you’ll need to provide fresh
Besides the daily chores, you’ll
also need to plan for weekly, monthly, and yearly duties, such as attending
basic training courses, giving him a bath, feeding him heartworm medication, and
taking him to the veterinarian for his annual checkup.
Fitting in regular chores
To help with your planning
efforts, you can follow the rough guidelines shown in Figure 3-1 for the daily,
weekly, monthly, and yearly chores required to keep your pup happy and healthy.
Of course, the schedule for each
household will differ, but these are intended to be a starting point for your
life with your Boston.
Daily duties
These tasks will need to be
performed every day, sometimes more than once a day.
- Feeding: When your Boston is a puppy, he’ll need to be fed up to four times a day; when he’s an adult, he’ll need two meals a day. You should feed your dog on a regular schedule, such as at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., so he knows exactly what to expect.
Also keep in mind that just as you would wash your own dishes, your Boston’s bowls need to be thoroughly washed with soap and water after every meal. You’ll also want to keep an eye on his eating habits and note any irregular behavior, like a poor appetite or vomiting (see Chapter Eating Well for more on feeding).
- Keeping fresh water available: Often paired with the feeding regimen, this is an ongoing job that requires you to check your Boston’s water bowl and refill it with clean water when necessary. Plan to wash the bowl on a daily basis.
- Bathroom responsibilities: A young Boston will require frequent bathroom visits while you housetrain him (see Chapter Housetraining for Bostons) — at least every two hours, if not more often. As he gets older and learns how to ask to go outside, you’ll need to supervise him while he does his business, eventually letting him go by himself when he’s an adult. Every day, you’ll need to clean up his bathroom area, scooping up his feces and spraying down the area with water, if necessary. When you take him for walks, you’ll want to carry plastic bags to clean up the presents he leaves behind.
- Exercise: Being the energetic dogs that they are, Bostons require daily exercise. You can take yours for an hour-long walk, play fetch for 20 minutes, or enjoy a fun session of flyball (see Chapter Taking Training to the Next Level). The more exercise, the better, because it will allow your Boston — and you — to get a good night’s sleep.
- Grooming: They don’t require rigorous coat care like some breeds, but Bostons do need a daily brushing to keep their shedding under control. Plan to spend 10 minutes or so for the day-to-day grooming regime.
- Training: When your Boston is old enough for training and behavior classes (about 10 to 12 weeks old), you can plan to spend about 20 minutes each day practicing what you’ve learned (see Chapter Training and Behavior). It’s important to reinforce his learning every day because basic training forms the building blocks for more advanced tricks later on.
Weekly chores
Though not as extensive as the
care your Boston requires daily, these weekly tasks are necessary and vary in
each household.
- Socializing: Once a week, take your Boston to the local dog park or dog-friendly shopping center where people and their pets congregate. Let them greet your dog. It’s important that your puppy experience as many people, smells, and experiences as possible to grow into a healthy, well-adjusted adult (see Chapter Socializing for Life for more info). Adults need ongoing socialization, too, but it’s not as critical as when your Boston is a pup.
- Training classes: Typically held once a week, puppy kindergarten and basic training classes get your Boston off to a great start in proper obedience and behavior. If you’ve adopted an adult Boston, he can learn new tricks, too! Obedience classes will teach you and your dog the basic training skills introduced in puppy kindergarten.
- Agility training or other sporting activity: After your dog passes puppy kindergarten and basic training, enroll him in some agility or flyball classes (see Chapter Taking Training to the Next Level). They will focus his energy into a positive outlet — and you’ll meet other dog people who love their pets as much as you love yours!
- Brushing his teeth: Plan to brush your Boston’s teeth at least once a week, though once a day would be ideal (but maybe not realistic!). Good oral hygiene will keep your dog’s pearly whites clean and tartar-free. (Chapter Looking Good tells you how.)
- Eye check: Because Bostons have such prominent eyes, check them at least once a week for discharge, dryness, or other irregularities (see Chapter Looking Good). Consult your veterinarian right away if you suspect a problem.
Today
√ 7 a.m.: Wake up Buster and take him outside to bathroom area. Clean up after him.
√ 8 a.m.: Wash Buster’s food and water dishes.
√ 9 a.m.: Feed Buster and fill his water bowl.
□ 9:30 a.m.: Take Buster outside again and play fetch for a bit. Clean up after him.
□ 10 a.m.: Naptime.
□ Noon: Right when he wakes up from his nap, take Buster outside to the bathroom area. Clean up after him.
□ 2 p.m.: Play with Buster. Take him outside again. Practice lessons learned in puppy kindergarten. Clean up after him.
□ 2:30 p.m.: Naptime.
□ 4 p.m.: Take Buster outside when he wakes up and clean up after him again.
□ 6 p.m.: Feed Buster his dinner and refill his water dish.
□ 6:30 p.m.: Take Buster outside again. Clean up after him.
□ 7 p.m.: Grooming time! Brush his coat and give him a quick massage.
7:30 p.m.: Take Buster outside one more time. Clean up after him.
8 p.m.: Bedtime for Buster. Put him in his kennel.
This week
□ Monday: Dog birthday party at Heather’s house.
□ Tuesday: Puppy kindergarten, 8–10 a.m.
□ Wednesday: Brush Buster’s teeth after grooming him and check his eyes.
□ Thursday: Go to the dog park for an hour or two.
□ Friday: Invite new dog friends over for a play date.
□ Saturday: Spend the day with Buster.
□ Sunday: Go on a long walk with the family.
This month
√ Give Buster his heartworm medicine.
□ Apply Buster’s flea and tick prevention.
□ Trim Buster’s nails, clean his ears, and give him a bubbly bath.
□ Check Buster’s body for lumps, bumps, or other abnormalities.
□ Call veterinarian and schedule a follow-up appointment.
Monthly musts
Mostly related to health, these
chores are best done around the same time each month, such as within the first
week.
- Giving heartworm medication and flea-and-tick prevention: During routine exams, your veterinarian will prescribe heartworm and flea-and-tick prevention for your Boston (see Chapter Your Visit to the Veterinarian). To keep him parasite-free, give your Boston the medication once a month.
- Grooming: Bathing, nail clipping, and ear cleaning should be done once a month. Plan to spend a good hour at least giving your Boston a bath, clipping or grinding down his nails, cleaning his ears, and making him handsome. (Flip to Chapter Looking Good for pointers on sprucing up your Boston.)
- Overall health check: While you’re doing your monthly grooming ritual, inspect your dog’s body. Look at his coat and skin, checking for scrapes and lumps. Check his eyes, nose, and mouth for signs of redness or irritation. Inspect his paws, checking his pads for cuts. If you see anything out of the ordinary, consult your veterinarian.
Annual checkups
You can plan to take your Boston
to the veterinarian once a year for his annual checkup. During that visit, your
veterinarian will weigh him, check his heart and lungs, look in his eyes and
ears, and perform an overall assessment of your dog’s health. The annual
checkup is the ideal time to bring up any questions about your dog’s health or
behavior. (Chapter Your Visit to the Veterinarian explains the details of what to expect when you and your
Boston visit the vet.)
Child-appropriate tasks
To ease the day-to-day chores
that you need to do for your Boston, enlist your children’s help. Under your
supervision, of course, you can involve them by assigning tasks such as these:
- Cleanup duty: Ask your child to accompany you when you take your Boston to the bathroom. She can grab a plastic bag and clean up the bathroom area after the dog does his business. Make sure she washes her hands when she comes back inside.
- Feeding time: Make it your child’s job to remind you when it’s time to feed your pup. If she’s old enough, ask her to measure and pour the food into the dog’s bowl.
- Refilling the water bowl: Assign your child the chore of making sure the water bowl is always full of fresh, clean water.
- Cleaning out his kennel: You can ask your child to shake out her pet’s blanket, straighten up the kennel, and gather strewn doggy toys.
- Brushing and grooming: Daily grooming tasks give your child a chance to bond with your Boston. Involve her as much as possible with washing and brushing tasks.
- Training and behavior practice: Ask your child to attend puppy kindergarten with you and practice simple commands, like Sit and Stay, with your dog. You can also enlist your child’s help when selecting reference and training materials.
The Real Costs
Dog ownership isn’t cheap. Though
it’s common knowledge that you’ll have to pay for dog food, supplies,
veterinary bills, and cleaning supplies, have you ever calculated the monthly
costs?
In 2004, the American Kennel Club
(AKC) surveyed more than 1,000 visitors to its Web site to determine what pet
owners pay to care for their pooches. In addition, the American Pet Products Manufacturers
Association Inc. (APPMA), a nonprofit trade organization that serves the pet
products industry, conducts a pet owners’ survey every two years that tracks
pet-product purchasing behavior of its respondents.
Between these two organizations’
reports, you can see in this section that owning a dog has its costs (although
most owners would agree that it’s worth it!).
One-time and monthly expenses
When you purchase a car, you
expect to pay the one-time costs of the car itself, the taxes, and the warranty.
You also expect to pay the ongoing costs of gas, insurance, and maintenance. In
the same way, you can expect to pay one-time and ongoing expenses when you
bring your Boston home.
- One-time, major expenses: The APPMA’s 2005–2006 survey reports that pet owners spent an average of $655 purchasing a small purebred dog, like your Boston Terrier. The AKC’s numbers mirror the APPMA’s numbers at $646. So you can expect to pay about $650 for your Boston, depending on where you live.
Adopting a Boston from a shelter or rescue can cut this cost significantly, depending on the organization. Several rescues, such as Wonderdog Rescue in San Francisco, California, offer purebred adult dogs for $300 or less, and that price includes spay or neuter surgery and vaccinations.
You’ll also need to have your dog spayed or neutered, a cost that runs $160 according to the AKC. Plan to spend another $350 on training fees and supplies, the organization reports, and an additional $350 on nonconsumable pet products, like bowls, leashes, and a crate.
- Ongoing (and in some cases, fun) expenses: You’ll also need to budget for routine expenses and consumable items, like food, treats, leashes, and medication. The AKC reports that survey participants spend an average of $2,489 per year in food, veterinary visits, travel, grooming, boarding, toys and treats, ongoing training, and dog events. Costs will, of course, vary depending on where you live.
Unexpected bills
One expense you can’t plan for is
an emergency. The AKC reports that an emergency veterinary visit will cost
$631; the APPMA says that number is $594. If your Boston requires emergency
veterinary care, you can expect to pay a pretty penny to keep your dog healthy.
To cushion the cost of emergency
veterinary care, you can purchase health insurance for your Boston. It may seem
like an extravagant expense — about $300 to $400 per year — but it can save you
thousands of dollars if your Boston ever requires critical care.
You can find pet health insurance
companies through a variety of sources, including the AKC, your breeder, your
veterinarian, or a quick online search. You can also ask members of your local Boston
Terrier Club for referrals.
Like human health insurance, pet
health insurance requires you to pay a premium every month. In exchange, the
policy covers annual exams, prescription flea prevention, heartworm protection,
vaccinations, hospitalization, accidents, radiology, surgeries, and even cancer
treatments. After you meet your deductible, the insurance company pays a
percentage of the medical costs.
Pet health insurance differs from
human health insurance in that, in most cases, you pay for the veterinary bill
up front (no co-pay), submit a claim form, and get reimbursed for a percentage
(or all) of the medical costs. This feature allows you to take your pet to virtually
any licensed veterinarian without worrying about whether the clinic will accept
your insurance.
Different policies offer
different benefits, so look at all your options before choosing one for your
Boston. It’ll be worth it!
Tip
If you decide to forgo pet health insurance, squirrel some money away — at least several hundred dollars — for medical emergencies, just in case.by Wendy Bedwell-Wilson
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