building trust

​How did I take a dog who went from pretty much wanting to eat me to the best, most loyal, best friend, comedian, absolute love that I adore, and cannot image my life without?
Well first, Monty was a gift really and truly, that God had placed ‘back’ in my life, for those who don’t know his full story, click here.
The chances of him coming to my life was not coincidental. Now, back to building our trust, which comes from building a solid foundation, I am not a dog trainer or ‘behaviorist’, but I can share through my own testimony and experiences the things I believe attributed to my success with this 100 lb beast, and also, the things that lead to quick failures. 

​My first mistake with Monty was, upon meeting him for the first time I gave my power away, and what I mean by that is I gave him too much trust, remember, trust takes time to build, and you should never trust a dog (or any animal for that matter) right from the beginning, (yes I have had many experiences to back that theory!). Repeated patterns of behavior are just that, key word is repeated, animals are really honest that way, you’re not really going to get something you would never expect (if it’s an animal you know). Another mistake was, that I gave him too much freedom, he can have all the freedom he wants now (so to speak) because of the trust we have built, but like I said, not in the beginning.
You also have to know and asses the ‘Why’s’, as in, why do they act the way they do? Also, what the triggers are.

---

I think the best thing I gave Monty was my patience, patience that I guess no one was willing to give him, since he had made it to death row. A chill goes up my spine every time I think of that fact, and I don’t know what it is but every time I have saved an animal from such a fate, they have always ended up being exceptional.
Monty is loyal to a fault, probably one of the most loyal dogs I’ve every had the privilege to share my life with, and I would have never known that if I hadn’t given him a chance. 

So, I gave him my patience (and a lot of it), discovered his likes, which was that he enjoyed fetching very much, and the bonding began. Both patience and time were given and he responded to those very quickly, then obedience followed, and love of course was there along the way, but you see I didn’t rely solely on that, I have a saying, “You can love love your pets and they can love love you back, but as soon as they see that squirrel or whatever, then your left on your ass!”. Their language must be understood first, before you teach them yours. Communication is key, you have to be very black and white with dogs, if you leave any grey areas that is where confusion takes place.

​My special advice to brand new dog owners it to give your time with as much patience as possible, figure out the ‘Why’s’, and pick something you both can bond over. There is also nothing wrong with getting professional insight, in this case though, if your trying to figure out your dogs’ ‘Why’s’, I would recommend a behaviorist over a trainer. There is a book I highly recommend for everyone to read, whether a new dog owner or a seasoned one called Mother Knows Best, a very good and insightful read.
Do what makes your dog the most happy, as long as its on your terms, oh and one more thing, if they’re eyes and ears are on you, now that is what I call #respect.