Boston Terrier Plenty of people assume small dogs are harder to train than large breeds. It’s a stubborn myth, and it sticks around because small dogs often get away with bad behavior longer (nobody feels threatened by a 15-pound goofball refusing to sit). Boston Terriers, in particular, get written off as "too stubborn" or "too excitable" to learn commands reliably.
That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Bostons are sharp. Genuinely sharp. They were bred to be companions, which means they’ve been paying close attention to humans for generations. They want to understand you. The problem usually isn’t the dog; it’s that owners skip foundational training because their Boston is cute enough to get away with it for a while.
A Boston that knows its commands is a happier Boston. Less anxiety, more confidence, a stronger bond with you. These seven commands are the ones that actually matter, and every Boston Terrier should have them down solid.
1. Sit
This is where everything starts.
Sit is the gateway command. Once your Boston understands that doing something specific earns a reward, every lesson that follows gets easier. It builds the mental framework for training itself.
The good news? Most Bostons pick this up fast. Like, surprisingly fast.
"The moment a dog learns that their actions produce rewards, you’ve unlocked the whole game. Sit is just the key in the door."
Lure them with a treat held just above their nose, moving it slowly back over their head. Their rear hits the floor almost automatically. The second it does, mark it with a "yes!" or a click, and deliver the treat.
Keep sessions short: two to three minutes, a few times a day. Bostons bore easily, and a bored Boston is a distracted one.
2. Stay
This one saves lives. Not being dramatic.
A solid stay keeps your Boston from bolting out an open door, rushing into traffic, or launching themselves at a stranger’s plate of food at a backyard BBQ.
Start with your dog in a sit. Hold up an open palm and say "stay," then take one step back. Return immediately and reward. That’s it, at first. Build the distance and duration over many sessions, not in one afternoon.
Most owners rush this command. They want a dramatic 30-second stay on day two. Patience is the whole game here.
3. Come
A reliable recall is the most important command your Boston will ever learn, and also the one most owners accidentally teach wrong.
Here’s what happens: the dog doesn’t come when called, so the owner walks over and scolds them. Now "come" is associated with something unpleasant. The dog avoids it. The problem compounds.
Always make "come" the best thing that ever happens to your dog. They come? Party. Treats, praise, the whole celebration. Never call your Boston to you for something they dislike, like a bath or nail trim. Go get them for that instead.
"Come should always predict something wonderful. The second it predicts anything else, you’ve started chipping away at the foundation."
Start in a small room with zero distractions. Get that response bulletproof before you ever try it at the park.
4. Down
Down is trickier than sit for most Bostons, and here’s why: it’s a more vulnerable position. Getting low to the ground feels submissive, and some dogs resist it instinctively.
Don’t force it.
Lure from a sit position, moving the treat straight down toward the floor between their front paws, then slowly forward along the ground. You’re drawing an "L" shape in the air. When their elbows hit the floor, immediately reward.
Some Bostons nail this in one session. Others take a week. Both are normal.
5. Leave It
If you’ve ever watched your Boston try to eat a dead bird, a cigarette butt, or approximately seventeen things on a single walk, you already understand why this command is non-negotiable.
Leave it teaches impulse control. And Boston Terriers, bless their hearts, are not naturally gifted in the impulse control department.
Start by placing a low-value treat in your closed fist. Let your dog sniff, paw, and nudge your hand. The moment they back off even slightly, reward with a different treat from your other hand. The lesson: ignoring the thing earns something better.
Gradually work up to treats on the floor, then items on walks. It takes time, but a Boston with a solid leave it is a Boston you can trust.
6. Off
There’s a common mix-up here that causes a lot of confusion: "off" and "down" are not the same command.
Down means lie down. Off means get your paws off that person, couch, or kitchen counter.
Boston Terriers are enthusiastic greeters. They love people, and they express that love by launching themselves at guests like tiny, tuxedoed missiles. Teaching "off" gives you a way to redirect that energy without squashing their happy personality.
The trick is consistency. Every person in the household has to use the same word and the same response. If one person lets the jumping slide, the behavior stays. Dogs generalize slowly; they need everyone on the same page.
"Inconsistency doesn’t just slow training down. It actively teaches the dog that rules are optional, depending on who’s around."
Reward four paws on the floor. Every time. The behavior you pay attention to is the behavior you get more of.
7. Heel (or Let’s Go)
Walks with an untrained Boston can feel like being dragged through the neighborhood by a snorting, wheezing, utterly delighted little chaos machine.
Heel teaches your dog to walk politely beside you instead of pulling toward every single smell, squirrel, and stranger in a half-mile radius.
Why Bostons Pull
It’s not defiance. It’s excitement. The world outside is overwhelming with input, and Bostons have a naturally high arousal level. They’re not trying to be difficult; they just want to get to the good stuff faster than your legs allow.
How to Teach It
Start in the house or backyard, somewhere boring. Hold treats at your hip and reward your Boston for staying in position beside you. Take a few steps, reward. A few more, reward. Build duration slowly before you ever hit the sidewalk.
If they pull, stop walking. Full stop. No forward movement while there’s tension on the leash. The moment they return to your side, continue. It feels painfully slow at first.
It works, though. Give it two to three weeks of consistent practice and you’ll have a different walking experience entirely.
A Note on Equipment
Harnesses that clip in the front (rather than the back) can help redirect pulling naturally while you’re building the skill. They’re not a substitute for training, but they make the process a lot more manageable, especially with a dog that has a Boston’s level of enthusiasm.
Building These Commands Into Real Life
Learning commands in the living room is one thing. Having a Boston that actually listens when a squirrel runs across the path is another.
The goal is generalization: practicing in different places, with different distractions, at different times of day. A command only truly sticks when it works everywhere, not just in optimal conditions.
Short sessions win. Five minutes of focused training beats a 30-minute marathon every time. Keep it fun, keep it rewarding, and let your Boston’s natural love of engagement do the heavy lifting.
They’re smarter than people give them credit for. Train them like it.