Hey Everyone!
I'm so glad that I found this form! We just picked out our Boston puppy and I am looking for all the help I can get. We pick him up in 2 weeks!! Anyone have any suggestions about things to get for him? Besides, food, crate and a blanket, I need some help!.
Thanks

That is so exciting!!! I remember when i got my first Boston i just couldnt wait
Well i would suggest getting him a soft toy like a teddy bear. My bostons like to suck on their feet and hands and it helps relax them (lots of bostons suck their toys!) Some chew toys and a nice blanket. I dont let my puppies bite my hands ever!!! starts a bad habit. If they try to i just grab a toy a replace my hand with the toy and say "be gentle". I have a little bag for the bostons things when we go somewhere. I usually pack their suckie toys, blanket, toys and jackets (if its cold). Bostons really feel the temp so make sure you have a jacket for when it is cold. Start to train your boston from the moment he gets home. Teaching him to sit, shake hands, stay, drop. You do all this with food of course. My bostons love chees so i would use little pieces of chees as a reward. My male boston was easier to train then the female. He could sit, drop, shake hands, roll over, spin around and "speak" by 12 weeks old. It was a good bonding time and as an adult dog he really listens to me and does what he is asked. If you would like help with how to teach you boston tricks just let me know. Hope this has been helpful. Ive prob written enough for now

What I did was sew a ticking alarm clock in a stuffed toy. Emma slept through the night after the first night. In her crate!! It lasted a whole year before she chewed the toy.

Thank you so much for the tips about toys. I have been doing research on toys and have found so much information I'm not sure what to believe. I love the idea about the alarm clock too! As far as having the teddy bear, did you give him a regular one with the button eyes, or did you take those off, I guess I worried about him choking.

I am ready to start training him once we bring him home... I am not a huge fan of people who do not have well trained dogs. Do you have any good tips for starting to train? I am open to any advice. Also what kind of food does your Boston like? I have found a couple of brands that are highly rated, so I'm not sure.

Thanks!!

I got my first Boston 3 months ago . She's on Natural Balance, it doesn't make her sick. Boston's can have really sensitive Digestive Tracks. Her favorite toy is a squeeky kong ball from petsmart! She just loves it!! She also loves big stuffed animals she just rolls around with them, she has never chewed off any eyes or anything so I wouldn't worry about that. Good luck! I love my baby rio!

You may have to try a few different foods before settling on the one that works best for the dog. I went through a few and have found that Fromm (chicken or pork) work best for Howie. But there's a ton of good quality foods out there.

I used a human babies stuffed doll. It had sewn eyes so there was nothing harmful. It was so cute and she snuggled with it every night and the batteries never died.

We did the stuffed toy thing too and 4 years later, Max still likes to suck on a stuffed bear or football. Some bostons chew them so I'd get something with no buttons or removable parts that he could choke on as he gets bigger.

As for training, do some research on teaching your dog pack order. We started that as soon as we brought Max home and he's been very well behaved...we can put a plate of food in the floor and he won't touch it because he learned at a young age that we eat before he does and he only eats out of his own dish. Basic commands like sit and stay can be taught at a young age too. Have fun and congrats on the new puppy!! They're awesome!!:D