Trust is everything for dogs but more so for particular ones. All dogs are different, each an individual to themselves. And although the entire canine species is similar, every single one holds within them, their own self. I write about this often because when you work with dogs you see just how individual they all are. It is especially eye opening when you temperament test a litter. You would think that a litter of puppies born at the same time to the same parents and raised in the same way by the breeder would be the same right? Wrong.
It is mind blowing how vastly different each puppy is and the
amount of trust
required to make each one of
those entities feel safe and trusting.
Some dogs are born and go through life sort of trusting everyone. They see the good in the world and are not the suspicious type; while others may assume the worst and be apprehensive of everyone. There are the two ends of the spectrum and everything in between when it comes to a need for trust.
The very first thing that our dogs need to trust is us. Are you trustworthy? Trust is huge and if your dog doesn’t trust you; how are they ever going to trust anyone else? Trust can be built and broken with one swoop; so when we build trust it has to be solid and geared to your individual canine.
Let’s take my two as an example. Elsa is a very trusting dog, it took very little time for her to trust her family and she trusts most people. Although she is not a push over and does not trust blindly. Elsa is a smart girl. She use to trust dogs as well but that trust was broken when she was seriously attacked by two bulldogs. That was it, broken. She is now very wary of strange dogs. She has a pile of friends and pretty much loves all puppies but she is forever changed.
Riggs on the other hand pretty much doesn’t trust anyone but his inner circle. Just his experience at the vet proved to him that he was right. These people that he does not know are not to be trusted. It is my job to maintain our degree of trust so I don’t allow strangers to cross his boundaries. This is extremely important in my role as trusted guardian. It’s a big job but it is our job to do it. It is also our job for those guardians with a wary to trust dog, to help them to trust more so that means exposure in baby steps.
Trust - reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
Trust is huge and depending on the dog it can be easy or difficult to obtain. But once you get it, you have to keep it. We must stand strong as our canines guardian, it is our job. These dogs we live with put faith in us to do whats right; to help them work their way through the human world that they live in. It’s a lot, guidance, protection, food, shelter and knowing the ins and outs of your individual dog. Whether you just offer the bare minimum or go above and beyond for them depends on YOU, the individual that you are. Does your dog trust you?