ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️

Chapter 51 - Part A

"I've read all the documents you sent me and I have to be honest...this dog is going to be one hell of a challenge." Matt tells me straight up, not even acknowledging the dog.

"I'm literally this dogs lifeline, I'm willing to do whatever it takes." I state stubbornly.

"Non-stop training, everyday, seven days a week. This dog has a lot of problems, a lot of aggression and anger, a whole lot of distrust because of his past. He bites because he has been trained that way, and as much as we try, that training can never be reversed." He explains.

"I know, but we can redirect his aggression into something positive. What if we train him to be protection? Use that aggression for something he can't be killed for." I speak freely, knowing it's a possibility.

Matt looks at me, glancing between me and the dog.

"You've really thought about this, I admire that." He nods respectively.

"Is that a yes?" I ask hopefully.

"As long as you're willing to put in the work, I mean, I'll be here to guide you, and tell you what to do, but you need to be the one giving the orders, giving the praise and direction." Matt tells me, and I nod immediately.

"Where do we start?" I smile.

"We're going to basics, build the foundation before we get to the fun stuff. So this means repetition, when you feed him you're going to give him direction to sit, then you praise and give the biscuit. You'll do this with every biscuit, keep the sessions between ten and fifteen minutes, multiple times through the day. Once he's used to the idea of sitting, then you'll start initiating the command." He tells me.

"Sit is one of the most basic commands a dog can learn, so just keep repeating it and don't give in to him. If he snaps, growls, lunges, you simply say no and walk away, that will set the foundation for food aggression. Instead of thinking 'I'll bite her and take my food' he'll start thinking 'I'll sit and let her bring me food'."

For a while he explains a lot of things, everything I need to do to ensure this dog comes out winning. I feel a lot more empowered and knowledgable just listening to him, taking in every word.

"For this type of dog, and his aggression, you want to praise when he listens, let him know that it's the best thing in the world. I believe that there's no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners, and I believe that you can do this as long as you work at it." Matt tells me.

After a while of examining Lucifers behaviour towards me as I feed him, Matt decides to come back in a weeks time. I have to do the whole sit, praise and reward thing for a week, then he's coming to see if there's been any change.

"Ok, training begins tomorrow buddy so I suggest you get your head screwed on." I warn the dog, taking the empty dish and heading into the house.

With Matt long gone, I feel a little lonely. Hardin is away at a business meeting with another Alpha, he won't be back for two days. I suppose it's night time, he'll be in bed right? I question myself.

Pulling out my phone, I decide to call him. Dialling his number, the phone rings almost four times before he finally answers.

"Hey, how'd it go with the trainer?" He asks when he does answer.

"Good actually, this one actually knows what he's up against. How did the meeting go?" I wonder.

"He's not exactly jumping at the offer, I'm hoping to persuade him tomorrow." Hardin exhales.

"If anyone can it's you." I muse.

"If you were here the papers would already be signed and sent." Hardin chuckles lowly.