01/02/2025
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. There are few things in life as rewarding as earning the trust of a dog that trusts no one. Dottie spent more than a year with another trainer, and I knew that she would be a tough nut to crack. She grew up in the Corridor of Cruelty, a part of Houston, well known for homeless dogs. Only the strong survive. Between becoming prey to other homeless dogs or being abused by humans, many dogs do not survive. Dottie knows that she doesn't need humans to survive, and experience has taught her not to trust them.
Everything about her has been a challenge. She was human and dog reactive, crate reactive, became extremely aggressive if anyone put their hands near her head (even to leash), wasn't super happy about being touched anywhere, terrified in the car, and terrible on the leash. She was also prone to using her teeth to communicate. Her first morning here, I had to jump over the couch because she stormed out of her crate, snarling and lunging at me. We have spent more than a month building a relationship based on trust and addressing each of her fears.
Yesterday, we both got to experience the reward for our efforts. Dottie happily allowed me to put on her leash, climbed into the Jeep without hesitation, relaxed in the seat for what she thought would be just another ride around the neighborhood. I surprised her with an ice cream, likely her very first. For the first time, I was able to touch her while in the vehicle without her recoiling or becoming defensive.(This is a biggie because of the enclosed space and lack of escape routes.) That touch and the softness in her eyes is something that I will always remember.
Thank you, Nelson Hodges and Canine - Human Relationship Institute, for helping me to better understand dogs like Dottie and how to help improve their quality of life.
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