Are Boston Terriers Hyper?

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Are Boston Terriers hyper, or is that their way of expressing joy? If you’re considering bringing a Boston Terrier home, you need to consider whether their energy levels fit your lifestyle. For this reason, let’s look into how Boston Terriers release energy and how I can help calm them down.

Are Boston Terriers Hyper?

Boston Terriers are not hyper, although they can be energetic, especially young ones. They manifest their playfulness and sociability through short outbursts of energy. Breed characteristics, lack of mental and physical stimulation, and conditioned behavior can turn pent-up energy into hyper activities. 

Reasons Why Boston Terriers Have So Much Energy 

By definition, hyper refers to an increased state of activity, whereas energetic means possessing or exerting energy. Understanding what Boston Terrier dogs are like allows me to see a bigger picture of why the breed acts in an energetic or hyper way.

Hyper Boston Terrier playing in the snow
  • Innate Curiosity: Weeks after birth, Boston Terriers won’t have the strength to move around yet. Once they develop hearing, bone mass, and muscles, that’s when they begin to be curious. The puppyhood stage causes them to become explorers, which may spark their tendency to try things and interact. 
  • Bursts of Energy: As Boston Terriers grow, they will have bursts of energy that they can use for running or playing. The breed’s stubbornness may also show at adolescence and adult stages, so they may not heed to your commands to stay put and be calm right away. Make sure to avoid putting harmful or hanging materials that might get in the way of your dog.
  • Higher Intelligence: Furthermore, Boston Terriers are intelligent, energetic little dogs that may display hyper levels of activity by showing off tricks they know. They may also be eager to draw your attention in ways they know you wouldn’t resist.

How Boston Terriers Release Energy

Boston Terriers have many different ways of showing their energy. I may typically see it in the form of chasing other animals, running in circles, spinning fast, jumping at guests, doing zoomies, and being goofy around me. 

Frenetic Random Activity Periods, also known as zoomies, are random bursts of energies. As a common canine behavior, FRAPs usually last a few minutes or less and may stop even without human intervention. While zooming appears as a happy outburst of energy, this may also indicate that your Boston Terrier is anxious or stressed.

On the other hand, Boston Terriers may feel bored due to a lack of physical activities or mental stimulation. In effect, they turn that suppressed energy into actions such as barking, biting, nipping, digging, escaping, and even destructive behaviors. 

Hyperactivity in Dogs as a Behavioral Issue 

A rare condition called hyperactivity or hyperkinesis can also happen in dogs. This ADHD-like disorder causes dogs to exhibit symptoms like:

Dog playing outdoors
  • Increased resting heart and respiratory rates
  • Inability to adjust to stimuli like household activities and noise 
  • Impulsiveness
  • Consistent agitation 
  • Reactivity 
  • Being overly attention-seeking 
  • Prolonged emotional arousal and incapacity to settle down
  • Failure to respond to amphetamines 

Unless your Boston Terrier displays most of these symptoms, it’s more likely that what you see as hyper is merely your pet’s way of using its energy. 

Ways to Calm a Boston Terrier 

Boston Terriers with unused energy would manifest a fervent desire to exert it in various ways. Your first reaction may be to talk down or even yell at your pet. However, yelling or using a high-pitched voice may only cause your Boston Terrier to feel shame or think that you’re also excited.

For such reasons, I can do these things instead to avoid exacerbating the situation.

  • Schedule exercise: Adult Boston Terriers need at least 60 minutes of daily exercise to burn calories and extra energy. You can try playing at dog ramps or even swimming. If your pet gets enough exercise, it will settle down to rest its muscles and recover energy. 
  • Lengthen daily walks: Taking a 45-minute walk is one of the easiest ways to calm a Boston Terrier’s nerves. You can also bond and be active together through morning and afternoon jogs. 
  • Conduct mental stimulation games: Boston Terriers are clever dogs, and they enjoy challenges that make them think. The best toys for Boston Terriers include puzzles, dispensers, and chewing toys. They also like toys they can fetch, such as squeaky balls or rubber frisbees. 
  • Practice obedience training: If games and exercise don’t work, training may be a better option. This is a good opportunity to do leash training, potty training, and basic commands. 
  • Reward calming attitudes: Praise or give treats whenever your Boston Terrier behaves calmly. In this way, your pet will learn how to pacify itself. 
  • Play soothing music: Dogs have an exceptional sense of hearing, and the world’s noise can trigger stress and anxiety. You can counter that by making your Boston Terrier listen to soothing songs with 50-60 beats per minute, like classical, reggae, and soft rock music. Likewise, white noise sounds can help alleviate tension. 
  • Do gentle petting: Massaging your Boston Terrier while speaking softly teaches your pet about tender physical contacts. You can also gently stroke your dog’s forehead and the bridge between the eyes. Rub the outside edges of the ears to release endorphins that give dogs a feel-good calming effect.
Excited Boston Terrier

Related Questions

Before I wrap up, let’s address other related inquiries. 

At What Age Do Boston Terriers Calm Down? 

As Boston Terriers reach adulthood between 12 to 14 months of age, they will settle with a more grown-up temperament and personality. They will calm down with age, especially if they get enough physical activities and mental stimulation to burn energy. However, you can expect bursts of energy depending on the environment. 

Can Senior Boston Terriers Still Become Hyper? 

Elderly dogs may remain active and energetic, although they would be more laid back and calm. As Boston Terriers grow old, some may slow down, prefer to sleep more, and show disinterest in physical activities. 

20 Reasons Why The Boston Terrier Is The Best Dog Breed Ever

Conclusion

I may mistake a Boston Terrier’s eagerness to please and play as hyperactivity. However, these are just some of the ways the breed lets off its energy. Dedicate time for walking, mental stimulation games, petting, and relaxing activities to help manage your Boston Terrier’s energy, emotions, and behavior.

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