The Benjamin Story
Benjamin is the reason I am a dog trainer today. I rescued him from a backyard in Oakland four years ago. He was emaciated with scars all over his body. He had no food, water, or shelter. He was going to die soon. It was a case of horrible neglect.
For the next 3 months, he gained weight, his scars healed, and his spirit grew strong. I took him everywhere, he seemed to like everyone. I thought it would be easy to find him a home. Sure enough, a single woman adopted him.
He was returned nine days later. He had had 2 dog fights. The woman was frightened and overwhelmed.
His aggression escalated quickly. It started with intact male dogs, then to all dogs, then to human men, then to all people, finally to trucks and cars, and mostly anything that moved. My anxiety grew and grew and my world got smaller and smaller.
The next 2 years I tried everything, from flower essences, special healing massage, T-Touch, medication, desensitiization, and even a low protein diet. Nothing improved, and Benjamin's aggression was ruling my life.
My last option came when my dad said I could move to his remote land in Oregon, I flew up there to check it out. I remember crying on the property, knowing this is not where I wanted to be, but how was I to live in an urban environment with a big aggressive Rottweiler.
I learned that I needed to HOLD THE GROUND for Benjamin. I needed to become centered and grounded, and in doing so, I would convey to him that I was his leader.
For the next 6 months, I guided Benjamin by giving a non emotional correction for aggressive behavior and praise and reward for quick response and positive behavior. I learned how to demand from him, but be relaxed and without an agenda.
Benjamin learned to look to me to make all decisions, and in the process- he became very relaxed and happy. He didn't have the weight of responsibility anymore of being the Alpha dog.
I learned that HOLDING THE GROUND meaning responding, rather than reacting. If I am in reaction, I am overemotional and judgemental, this would in turn, make Benjamin confused or anxious. If I am responding, I am acting out of clarity, and in turn, Benjamin relaxes and looks to me for guidance.
Benjamin goes everywhere with me now, to parties, cafes, banks and training classes. He is my right hand man. HOLDING THE GROUND for him has made this once abused and neglected backyard dog into a sound, confident and loving creature. He was looking for guidance and I gave it to him when I learned how to be the Alpha. Our journey these last four years has taught me so much about what it means to be his guardian, it comes down to 2 things:
LOVE AND LEADERSHIP.