Life With Bentley, July 2025
I haven’t taken any new photos or spent much time working on my previous ones lately. One reason for this is our recent adoption of Bentley. He is one of the most loving dogs I’ve ever met, craves physical contact, and wants to please his people. We have no information about his history for the past seven years, and while he has some rough edges, I am continually amazed that his sweet nature has remained so strong.
The first few walks on a leash with him felt like hooking up to the back of a locomotive that was trying to make up for lost time. I’m fairly certain he had never been a sled dog in his past, but the way he pulled made it seem like he could have been. Weighing in at fifty-three pounds of pure muscle and having a low center of gravity, he had a lot of strength. However, after a few days, I noticed he started to understand that dragging his owner around wasn’t relaxing or even enjoyable. Each day after that, I experienced longer moments with slack in the leash. I’m currently working on the “heel” command, and he’s picking it up quickly, especially for an older dog.
There are signs that at some point in his past, he’s had some training and remembers some standard commands.
We conducted a DNA test on him, revealing that he is a mix of American Pit Bull Terrier, Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shepherd. The percentages of Cocker Spaniel and German Shepherd are notably small.
When we first got him, he was highly reactive to other dogs. To manage this, I’ve been arranging our walks and activities at times and in places where we are less likely to encounter other dogs. Recently, we took Bentley to a local dog trainer for an evaluation, and we plan to pursue training sessions to help reduce his reactivity to other dogs or, at the very least, learn how to manage it more effectively. The trainer noted that Bentley is a sweet dog who probably wouldn’t start a fight but wouldn’t back down if he were attacked.
There are three-day, three-week and three-month mileposts that seem to follow the dog adoption process and their adjustments to their new environment, and it has undoubtedly been the case with Bentley. Changes and positive achievements have followed this guideline, and we are approaching the three-month mark. Even his reactivity has seemed to settle somewhat, which might have been in some part due to anxiety and insecurity.
I’ve said in the past that I would never own a Pit Bull dog, and I’m finding myself now happily eating humble pie. I understand the stigma associated with the breed, and with their strength and jaw power, I know they can cause considerable damage. However, “Bentley” is the most loving dog I’ve ever known, and he deserves both love and a happy home.
Now it’s not all roses, and it’s taking some work and consistency. The additional physical and mental activities have been good but also tiresome at times, so Bentley and I are also learning how to have bonding downtime. But as in the above photo, sometimes we just need to crash, even if it’s together. 😉
I do appreciate that he sometimes lets me believe that I’m the Alpha! Like I said, he’s smart.
Wonderful news!!! He could be your muse and inspiration for years to come.
Thank you, Ken. I certainly would welcome many years.
Thank you for the fuller 3 month introduction to Bentley. I love that first portrait of him. Great light and the pose is wonderful. Stately, proud and confident. I met a man at a coffee shop who had one the best trained dogs. He and his wife took the dog to this trainer who worked with the dog for several weeks. The last 2-3 weeks required the owners to also go through training, that way everyone was on the same page. Glad he’s letting you think you’re the alpha.
I wonder how his 3 month introduction of Earle and Bonnie would read?
Bonnie and I’s training is probably the most important. It will be up to us to consolidate whatever positive progress is made with Bentley. I like that first photo too. It would be interesting to get his viewpoint on his first three months here, but perhaps we’ve already gained insight into this by the unconditional love he’s showing us.