How to Train Your Boston Terrier Dog to Come

Hello Denise, Does the leash clip onto the harness on his back or at his chest? If it clips at the back, that type of harness can actually naturally encourage pulling because there is a natural drive in most dogs to push against pressure. I suggest switching to a front clip, no-pull harness. If he is already using a front clip harness and even if he is not, he needs to learn to actually focus on you during the walk and not put his head past your leg while beside you, so that he is actually in the following position. A dog is far more likely to pull in a forward position with their head past your leg. Check out the article that I have linked below and follow the "Turns" method. Focus the most on turning directly in front of him at a ninety-degree angle as soon as his face starts to move past your leg while he is next to you. If you turn too late when he is already pretty far past that point it will be hard to turn in front of him and correct it. The turns help him learn to pay attention so that he is keeping up and so that he doesn't get bumped when you turn. The turns in front of him also communicates through body language that he needs to respect your space in that area, so it tends to help with respect some. Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Expect your walks to involve a lot of circles and walking in squares while training. I generally suggest going on walks in your front yard, cul-de-sac, or park while teaching this so that you have more open area to practice. Don't worry about how far you walk distance wise; as long as you get in similar number of steps he will be just as exercised, and sometimes even more tired from having to focus as well during the walk. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Kristina, Poop eating also called Coprophagia is common in older puppies. May puppies outgrow it but it can turn into a long-term habit if it isn't prevented from regularly happening. The most important thing to do is clean up all poop right after they go to prevent access. When access is removed most of the time, many pups will out grow it when it's behavioral. Removing access to poop to eat is the most important step whenever you can, but you can also add certain things to his food to make the poop less appealing. Plain, canned pumpkin is the easiest thing to try. It's also good for regulating your dog's bowels. There are also products specifically made to help discourage it, such as NaturVet Coprophagia, that can be added to your dog's food to make the poop less appealing. You can also try adding something unpleasant to the poop after he goes, such as white vinegar, lemon juice, or hot pepper. Be aware that hot pepper can irritate digestion and loosen stools if your does continues to eat the poop and also ingests the pepper. This method doesn't always work though, since taste is not usually the main issue, it is something easy to try though. Finally, if the poop eating continues or their are other symptoms, I suggest a trip to your vet. Poop eating is sometimes a symptom of parasites, such as worms, nutritional deficiency, or allergy such as food allergy - especially when an older dog is doing it or it continues with age despite efforts to remove access and make it less pleasant. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden