Do you have any idea what your Boston terrier is up to all day when you’re out of the house for hours on end?

Chances are she’s bored! The fact of the matter is that dog’s love to be around their owners. However, there are some dogs are perfectly content spending the day sleeping …

… But then there are others that will spend the day tearing apart your house!

If you have a Boston terrier in that second group – one that potentially suffers from separation anxiety you need to do something about this behavior soon!

Boston terriers are known to be pretty high-energy, playful and social dogs- which can become a problem if a dog’s left alone inside for too long.

I’ve had quite a few readers ask for tips and ideas on how to keep their Boston busy throughout the day, so here are some ideas to get you started!

1. Leave the TV or Radio on when you’re not home. (This may help soothe your dog and make her feel like she’s not alone.  Silence often represents isolation or abandonment to your dog, which can result in separation anxiety or destructive behavior.
2. Make sure your dog has enough room to run and get exercise.
3. Keep toys around. Dogs usually have a favorite toy so do your best to keep that one around for your Boston to play with.
4. Dog Treat Dispensing Toys- These provide countless hours of entertainment. Just stash treats in a hidden compartment of the toy and your dog will spend hours trying to get them out!
5. Consider getting another dog! Dogs that have a companion or playmate are generally happier animals and less inclined to suffer from separation anxiety and/or behavioral problems.

Remember, dogs aren’t much different than we are! They like to have company throughout the day and they like to keep busy. So always try and do your best to spend time with your dog each day. When you know you’re going to be gone for several hours at a time, consider trying some of the steps above!

If you have any other ideas or suggestions, please leave a comment below!

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You may have heard the shocking story about the woman who died from drinking too much water for a radio show competition.

The contestants were given eight-ounce bottles of water to drink every 15 minutes, and the objective was to see who could drink the most water without using the restroom.

Jennifer died hours after taking part in the competition and her autopsy confirmed that she died from water intoxication.

Can Water Intoxication Happen to Dogs?

This got me wondering whether this could happen to dogs as well.

Whenever I take my Boston terrier, Lucy, to the dog park she swims for hours and almost always ingests a ton of water. She definitely has a wonderful time, but when we get home—she has to pee at least six or seven times before bed-time. And every now and then she gets so exhausted that she has accidents, once she even had an accident on my bed!

Now this is very uncharacteristic for Lucy, so I started to wonder if drinking all this water at the lake could be harming her health. So I started doing some research and this is what I found …

The Science Behind Water Intoxication

The scientific name for water toxicity is hyponatremia or sometimes it’s also called hyper-hydration. It’s caused from overexertion, heavy perspiration, and drinking large amounts of water to rehydrate.

Water toxicity can lead to an electrolyte imbalance and is a potentially FATAL disturbance that occurs in the brain. If water enters the body more quickly than it can be removed, body fluids are diluted and a potentially dangerous shift in electrolyte balance occurs.

This causes the cells to swell as a result of changes in osmotic pressure from within. When this occurs in the cells of the central nervous system and brain, water intoxication is the result.

The Symptoms

• Light-headedness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache and/or malaise
• Cerebral edema
• Seizures
• Coma
• And even death

Water intoxication may start out with mild symptoms, however the symptoms may quickly escalate as the water continues to enter the body from the stomach.

So if you’re going to go swimming with your Boston terrier, always keep an eye on just how much water your dog is ingesting.

If you think she’s getting too much, stop whatever activity you are doing and give your Boston a break! Better to be safe than sorry.

Related posts:

1. Recommended Daily Water Intake For Dogs
2. Constipation in Dogs
3. Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs

If you have a Boston Terrier, you know that sometimes they can be more like “Boston Terrors.”

Boston’s like to chew!

To me it seems like they especially like to chew things that are really important, like a great pair of shoes that you haven’t worn yet!

When Boston Terrier puppies are teething, they are especially mischievous and prone to chewing.

A good chew toy should run you a couple bucks, but those brand new shoes from Macy’s could run you a couple of hundred bucks! Investing in a chew toy for your dog will be the best two dollars you’ve ever spent!

I like taking Lucy to Petco because they let me bring her in. She always picks out her own chew toys so I don’t have to worry about whether or not she’s going to like what I decide on.

Every Dog Is Different

Keep in mind that every dog will have their own preferences, but I have found that Boston Terriers really like squeaky toys. So that’s a good starting point

Oh and if you can get a few toys while you’re out- this should save you a trip a couple days down the road. Yes, I said days (Boston’s can be rough on their toys, and tend to go through them quite quickly)!

Cute Video of Boston Terriers With A Chew Toy!

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Dogs need about 30 minutes of exercise every day. And taking your Boston Terrier for a walk doesn’t always cut it.

Bostons are very high energy dogs and need lots of “play time.” You’ll notice a real improvement in your dog’s behavior and attitude when he/she is properly exercised.

If you need ideas on things you can do with your Boston here are some of my favorites.

Hiking

Hiking is great for dogs. It usually involves lots of hills and obstacles which is great since it will challenge your dog in unique ways. If you do decide to go on a hike with your Boston terrier, make sure you’re prepared. Bring food, water, and safety kits. Also, make sure to go hiking in cool weather, as Boston aren’t tolerant of the heat.

Running

If you’re going to run with your dog, make sure to go at your pets pace. Start out slow with about 5 minutes of running/day. You can slowly work your way up to 30 minutes or more. Just keep an eye on your dog for signs of heat exhaustion.

Biking

This is good for dogs with excellent leash manners. If your dog is a puller, this may not be the best idea though. Start out with a slow bike ride, so that your dog stays at a nice trot.

Retrieving

Retrieving is great exercise and Boston Terriers seem to love it. Lucy is ball crazy and will play for hours … especially if she’s retrieving from the water. Don’t let your dog jump for the item they’re retrieving though, not only does this encourage bad manners, but it’s also bad on their joints!

Dog Walking Service

If you really don’t have the time to exercise your dog, you should consider using a dog walking service. If you can’t find a dog walking service that you trust, pay a friend or teenager to take your dog for walks.

Doggy Day Care

Doggy Day Care’s are growing in popularity. They’re great places for dog’s to interact and play with other animals. If I could afford it, I would send Lucy every day; because I know she would have a blast.

Dog Parks

I am a huge proponent of dog parks. If I didn’t have a full-time job I would be taking Lucy to the dog park every day. She swims in the lake, and plays with the other dogs. There’s no question to whether or not she’s getting a good work-out.

Have you tried any of these exercises? Tell me your thoughts, by leaving a comment below.

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Twenty-five to forty percent of dogs have been diagnosed with obesity, or will become obese in their lifetime. Obesity is the most common health problem for dogs in our society.

The primary causes of obesity are overeating and lack of exercise. Most dog owners don’t acknowledge that their pet is overweight, until their veterinarian points it out.

Diagnosing Your Dog with Obesity

If your dog is diagnosed as obese or overweight, your vet should recommend a weight loss plan for your dog.

Your vet will look at the changes in your dog’s weight over time, as well as any changes in her environment─ to try and determine the cause of the weight gain.

Your vet may also perform several medical tests on your dog to rule out any underlying diseases that may be responsible for the weight gain.

If everything checks out ok, you can begin a weight loss program with your pup.

Treating Your Dog For Obesity

All members of the family must be dedicated to helping your dog lose weight. You should assign one person to be in charge of feeding, so there is no overlap. Everyone should be in charge of exercise though!

You should have your dog seen by the vet every 4-6 weeks to monitor your dog’s weight loss progress. And once your dog gets down to his or her ideal body weight, you should continue feeding her a weight management dog food … this will help keep the weight off.

Recommendations for Obesity due to overeating:

1. Cut your pet’s food intake by 50%

2. Use a pet food geared at weight loss … it should contain the following:

• less than 340 kcal per 100 grams of food on a dry matter basis
• between 5 to 10 percent fat
• between 10 to 30 percent crude fiber
• greater than 25 percent crude protein

3. Increase Fiber Intake

4. Increase Water Consumption

5. Feed your pet small portions, several times a day

6. Use low calorie treats, and use sparingly.

7. Increase exercise activity

8. Take your dog swimming; swimming is great for dogs with orthopedic disabilities

Other causes of Obesity …

Obesity in pets is usually to do with over-eating; however, some other causes are diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism (cushing’s disease). If you suspect your dog has either of these conditions, he should be seen by a vet immediately.

Remember, Obesity is a serious health problem and should be addressed immediately; shedding a few pounds could save your Boston Terrier’s life!

Related posts:

1. Keep your Boston Terrier Safe from the Dangers of Canine Obesity
2. Canine Distemper – How To Prevent Your Boston Terrier From Getting It
3. Canine Flu – Symptoms and Treatment Options For Your Boston Terrier

“A good dog is a tired dog.”

This saying is known to be true by dog-owners all over the world. You see, lack of exercise is the source of many problems for dogs. So make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise each day.

Your dog may develop poor muscle tone, heart ailments, bone disorders, obesity, and even emotional problems if they don’t get adequate exercise.

The Benefits of Exercise

• Better rest (won’t be as nervous when left alone)
• Improved bone and joint health
• Improved heart and lung function

A lot of people think their dog just needs a big backyard to romp around in. This is definitely not the case. Dogs don’t exercise when they’re left outside by themselves. You’ll find them hanging out by themselves in the shade … waiting for you to play them!

Some Tips to Maximize Your Dog’s Workout

• Let your dog carry something when you go for walks (i.e. toy or basket).
• Let your dog play with other dogs!
• Teach your dog to retrieve (this is one of the best exercise).

Types of Exercise

Concentration Exercise
Hide treats inside an old wash-glove or in a rolled up towel, leave your dog to try and figure out how to get the treats, your dog will love this!

Brain Exercise
Hide treats underneath a bowl and see how your dog uses her creativity to turn the bowl and get to her treats.

Physical Exercise
Play fetch with your dog, take her on a speed walk, or take her swimming. These exercise are a great physical work-out for your pup!

Good Exercise vs. Bad Exercise

Good Exercise
The best types of exercise utilize the mind and body. Exercise should have a purpose and teach the dog that they can be calm and physically composed at the same time!

Bad Exercise
Bad exercises are exercises that could potentially harm your dog. Most people think that dogs can’t get too much exercise, but this is not the case.

Some examples of bad exercise would be having your dog jump high in the air to chase a toy. Your dog may end up landing awkwardly and hurt her legs.

Moderation

I’m sure you’ve heard the expressions all good things come in moderation. This applies to exercising your dog as well. Make a note of your dog’s body language. She’ll let you know when she is getting tired.

Beware of the Heat
Boston Terriers don’t have a very efficient cooling system. There short muzzles and black coat give them an enormous disadvantage to tolerating heat.

The top temperature for the average dog to be working or playing in should be about 85° F. But since Boston’s have the disadvantage mentioned above, this temperature can be too high for them.

In the House

You should try to avoid the routine of crating your dog all day, and then exercising them heavily as soon as you get home. This habit can lead to future behavior problems. It’s best to delay exercise for a few minutes after letting the dog out of the crate.

You should give your dog time to unwind after exciting exercise and before you crate them again.

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Boston Terrier’s are great swimmers!

A common misconception about Boston Terrier’s is that they can’t swim or can’t swim well.

Well, I’ve got news for you – my Boston Terrier, Lucy, absolutely goes crazy for the water.

If you are trying to get your Boston Terrier to swim, I recommend taking her to a lake or the beach- somewhere where there will be other dogs.

Let her explore the area so that she feels safe, and definitely don’t force her into the water. She’ll be traumatized and never want to go in again!

I brought a squeaky tennis ball with me (Lucy loves these) to the lake and threw it in a couple feet from the edge. It took her a while, but she went in and retrieved it.

Lucy was about one year old the first time she went swimming, and now she loves it! It’s part of our weekend routine!

Here’s a video of Lucy at the lake:

Related posts:

1. Water Intoxication In Dogs – Beware of Taking Your Dog Swimming!
2. Dog Exercises – Is Your Dog Getting Enough?

Photo by SC Fiasco

Boston terrier’s need A LOT of exercise. They are very active dogs and they can get up to no good if they don’t get enough exercise. A great game to play with your boston is fetch.

They are very quick learners, so it shouldn’t be too hard to teach them this game.

Start off with a squeaky ball … Boston’s go crazy for these. Throw the ball, not too far and you’re dog should take off running after it.

The hard part is getting the pup to bring the ball back. Offer a reward to your boston for bringing the ball back.

Repeat several times and Wa-La, you have a great new game to play with your dog that is great exercise … for the both of you

Related posts:

1. Teach Your Boston Terrier to Play Dead
2. Dog Exercises – Is Your Dog Getting Enough?
3. Homemade Dog Toy Tutorial: Make This Fun Toy For Your Dog In Just Under 20 Minutes!