In our last post, we established that the sweet Boston Terrier gets along well with dogs. What if you don’t own other pets but have kids instead? You worry that the children might agitate the dog and cause it to behave aggressively. Is this a trait of the Boston Terrier? Are they a kid-friendly dog?
Boston Terriers are indeed good with children, as they are a non-aggressive breed. Their high energy, which borders on hyperactivity, should tire out even the most rambunctious of children when you have doggy/kid playtime.
Whether you have babies, very young children, or older ones, this is the article for you. In it, we’ll tell you what to expect from a Boston Terrier at all these kid life stages. We’ll even include tips and advice for acclimating dog and child as well as when it’s time (if ever) to leave them alone together.
Are Boston Terriers Good with Kids?
The Boston Terrier is great with children for a handful of reasons. This breed never gets too large, with an average height of nine to 15 inches. Bigger dogs can scare younger kids, but that shouldn’t be the case with the Boston Terrier. They’re also an adorable dog with their distinct and loveable face. The kids should want to be BFFs with the new dog almost instantly.
Also winning the Boston Terrier some brownie points is the fact that they’re known for their enthusiasm and friendliness. They have lots of energy but can be controlled with training. They also quite enjoy getting pets and belly rubs, so once the kids fall in love, the dog should eat up all the attention and affection.
Depending on the age of your children, they may have different experiences with a Boston Terrier. Let’s talk more about these now.
Babies
The nice tendencies of a Boston Terrier mean you don’t have to stress if the dog gets too near your baby. They’ll probably be more curious than anything. We never recommend letting the baby and Boston Terrier spend any significant one-on-one time together yet, though. The baby is just too young. Plus, there’s always the risk of magnetization.
What is magnetization? The blog Dogs and Babies wrote a great introductory post on the topic. It boils down to this: when you let your baby spend too much time doting on the dog, they can develop an unhealthy obsession with dogs. Not just your Boston Terrier, but any and every dog they see. This puts your child at risk of getting bitten or attacked by a strange dog.
Young Kids
As your children grow up from infancy to toddlerhood into childhood, it’s okay to allow for more interaction between them and the Boston Terrier. The risk of magnetization does decrease as your child gets older, but it’s still possible for unhealthy attachments to form even when your kid is out of diapers and walking on their own two legs. Be careful.
Boston Terriers have the energy to match children of this age, who never seem to get tired. In fact, with how much the dog will want to run and play around, you may find it’s easy to put your kids down for a nap, which is quite a nice change.
Sometimes, Boston Terriers can have almost too much energy. In their rambunctiousness, it’s possible for them to knock some smaller kids over. This could cause an injury. Although the Boston Terrier isn’t a big dog, they’ve got strong, sturdy bodies that can cause some damage. Always supervise the kids and the dog during playtime.
Older Kids
Once your kids are 10 and up, they’ll easily and happily live with a Boston Terrier. At this age, now the tables have turned. It’s the kids who can accidentally hurt the dog and not so much vice-versa. Make sure you have trained your children on how to handle a dog. While Boston Terriers aren’t aggressive, they could become so if they feel threatened or are attacked. That’s true of pretty much every dog.
Let your kids run around in the backyard with the dog, provided your yard is fenced. They can even take the Boston Terrier for walks around the neighborhood. You should come with, so if your dog takes off, they won’t drag your poor child down the street with them!
Should You Leave Your Boston Terrier Alone with Your Children?
Now that you know that children of various age groups should be a-okay with the Boston Terrier, you may wonder, is it alright to leave the dog alone with your kids? Well, that depends, but generally, we’d say no, at least not right away.
That’s doubly, even triply true for newborns and infants. They can’t even stand upright or walk yet, let alone defend themselves from an excitable dog. We’re not saying your Boston Terrier would hurt the baby on purpose, but even an accidental injury could be horrifying as a new parent.
Thus, it’s always better to keep an eye on every interaction between your baby and the Boston Terrier. Remember, these interactions should be few and far between and mostly indirect to prevent magnetization.
As you child grows into a toddler, they’re now upright but still unsteady on their feet. Your Boston Terrier can easily bowl them over as the dog makes a quick lap around the house, so be there to oversee the play sessions.
If your child is older, then they should be just fine with your Boston Terrier even if you’re at work or otherwise not home.
How to Acclimate Your Boston Terrier and Your Kids
While the harmonious, loving relationship between a Boston Terrier and a child is one both parties can enjoy for years, getting to that point takes time and work. If your children have never owned a dog before, acclimating them to the Boston Terrier is the best course. This will give your dog a chance to familiarize themselves to the kids as well.
Here’s how to do it.
Be There Each Time
It will take time and repeated sessions for acclimation to fully occur. Either you or your spouse/partner should be there for each session, ideally both of you. This way, should something go wrong on either the side of your children or your Boston Terrier, you’re ready to do something about it.
Leash up Your Dog
Boston Terriers are, as we’ve said, small and mighty. They can move very quickly, sometimes faster than even you expect. To prevent sudden lunges and other movements, put your dog on a leash the first few times they’re acclimating to the kids.
Keep the Children Calm
Dogs are cute and new and exciting, so children can get a little overzealous when they see the Boston Terrier. However, the loud noises and movements of the children can scare the dog and trigger them to defend themselves. Show the kids how to calmly approach the dog.
The Dog Should Give “Permission” for Petting
In the beginning phases, each time your child wants to pet the Boston Terrier, have them put their hand out instead. The dog should sniff their hand and elsewhere, giving the kids the okay to pet them. Make sure your children keep their fingers curled up and away from the dog’s body and face.
Show Kids That the Dog’s Toys and Treats Belong to Them
Your children should be instructed not to play with the dog’s toys or try eating their treats. By ripping these things away from the Boston Terrier, the dog could try to snatch their stuff back in a playful or even aggressive manner.
Conclusion
Boston Terriers are generally affable dogs that get along well with children of all ages. With younger kids, you have to keep an eye on both child and dog to avoid accidental injuries from your energetic Boston Terrier. Older kids should be taught how to care for a dog to avoid accidentally hurting them.
No matter the age of your child when you bring the Boston Terrier home, a period of acclimation is recommended. This will let everyone get familiar with each other before living together. Best of luck!
Author Nicole Malczan