How to Teach a Boston Terrier to Lie Down
Teaching your Boston Terrier to lie down is a cornerstone obedience skill that builds impulse control and helps manage their naturally lively, exuberant temperament. Boston Terriers are bright and eager to please, making them highly trainable—but their energetic personality and occasional stubborn streak mean training sessions must be short, fun, and rewarding. The "down" cue teaches your Boston to settle, which is invaluable for calming overexcitement and preparing them for more advanced behaviors. This foundational skill also creates a calm baseline before walks or social interactions, preventing the overarousal that can trigger excessive barking or jumping. With consistent, positive reinforcement and properly-timed rewards, most Boston Terriers master this command within 1–2 weeks of daily practice.
Step-by-step
- 1
Start with sit
Before teaching down, ensure your Boston Terrier has a solid sit on cue. Sit is the foundation—it's easier to lure into a down from a sitting position than from standing. Practice sit for 2–3 minutes daily until your Boston responds instantly to the word and hand signal.
- 2
Lure with a high-value treat
With your Boston sitting, hold a small, smelly treat (cheese, chicken, or hot dog) very close to their nose, then slowly lower it straight down between their front paws toward the ground. Move slowly and keep the treat in their line of sight so they follow it with their body and naturally drop into a down position.
- 3
Mark and reward the moment
The instant your Boston's elbows touch the ground, say 'yes!' or use a clicker, then immediately give them the treat while they're still lying down. Timing is critical—reward only when they're fully in the position, not as they're standing back up. Repeat 3–4 times per session.
- 4
Add the verbal cue
Once your Boston is reliably following the lure into down, say 'down' just before you start lowering the treat. Pair the word with the physical motion every single time for 3–4 sessions until they begin anticipating the cue. Boston Terriers learn quickly, so this usually takes just a few days.
- 5
Fade the lure gradually
Over 1–2 weeks, begin using an empty hand in the same luring motion instead of holding a treat, and only reward from your other hand after they lie down. This teaches them to respond to your gesture and voice, not just the bait. Be patient; Boston Terriers can be stubborn, so move to this step only when they're consistently successful.
- 6
Extend duration and distance
Once they reliably lie down on cue, gradually ask them to stay down for 5–10 seconds before rewarding, then practice from different locations and at different times of day. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes max to match their energy level and maintain focus. Always end on success to keep training fun and engaging.
Pro tips
- Train before a walk or meal: Boston Terriers respond better when mildly hungry and not yet overstimulated by exercise. Timing your 5–10 minute session before their 45 minutes of daily activity maximizes focus and eagerness to please.
- Use high-value, low-calorie treats: Tiny pieces of chicken, cheese, or hot dog are irresistible to Boston Terriers and keep training fun without overfeeding. Avoid kibble or bland treats—their bright, playful nature means they need rewards that excite them.
- Keep it upbeat and short: Boston Terriers' moderate energy and occasional stubborn streak mean they tune out if training feels boring or repetitive. Stay enthusiastic, celebrate small wins, and always end on a successful note so they associate 'down' with fun, not correction.
Frequently asked questions
My Boston Terrier gets overexcited and won't focus during training—what should I do?+
Boston Terriers have moderate energy and can become overstimulated. Train before their daily exercise (during their 45-minute routine), when they're calmer and more focused. Keep sessions very short—5–10 minutes max—and take breaks. Use a quiet, low-distraction environment to start. If they're still bouncy, do light play or a brief walk first to burn off excess energy, then train.
My Boston keeps jumping back up before I can reward. How do I fix this?+
This is common with their lively temperament. Reward them while they're still lying down—don't wait for them to stand. Deliver the treat to their mouth as they rest on the ground, or toss it just in front of them so they have to stay down briefly to eat. If they pop up immediately, simply restart the exercise without frustration or correction; their energy is high, but consistency will help.
How often should I practice with my Boston Terrier?+
Aim for 5–10 minute sessions once or twice daily. Boston Terriers are bright and trainable but have a limited attention span for formal work. Multiple short sessions work better than one long one. Training before meals or playtime also helps motivate them with positive associations.
Will teaching 'down' help with their stubborn streak?+
Yes. Teaching down—and other settled behaviors—gives your Boston an outlet for impulse control and helps redirect their independent tendencies into a positive behavior you reward. Combined with consistent, fun training, it builds a stronger bond and makes them more responsive overall. Their stubbornness often stems from boredom, so regular practice keeps them engaged.