Ever wonder how Cesar Millan does it? In case you don’t know who he is, click here. They call him the ‘dog whisperer.’ In short, that’s someone who can work magic with dogs in a gentile, almost mysterious way. There’s no beating, yelling or shocking the animals—instead, most of it’s done with quiet but stern commands and small gestures. And I have to admit, the guy almost makes it seem mystic.
But, in the Singleton household we’ve learned the real trick starts day one—the moment the dog enters your home for the first time. If you want the upper hand, if you want to be the ‘dog whisperer’ for that particular dog you need to do one simple thing.
Feed it.
You feed the dog. Always you, never anyone else—at least for the first year or so. After that, the bond is usually set and not likely to be broken even if someone else takes over. When dogs latch on to someone—start seeing them as the leader of the pack—it’s usually a tough perception to break.
Funny how in some ways we’re no more complicated than our four legged friends. Want to win someone’s trust? Want to have influence and make a difference in someone’s life? Serve them in some way. Teach them. Feed them. Care for them when they are sick or suffering loss. Or feeding them with the Word of God. That’s how you win their trust and prove you are more than words.
I’m not saying it’s easy. I often blow it myself. But it is biblical and it does work. Even Jesus showed that the power of simple servanthood can outweigh even the impact of a powerful miracle:
John 13:2–9,
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Up until this point, Peter was known mostly for his stubbornness and high opinion of his own loyalty and abilities—but not so much for his servant’s heart and willingness to follow Jesus in all things without argument or drama. But here the impact of his Lord and Savior being willing to serve was too much for Peter. He broke down and held nothing back. It didn’t last long, mind you. That same night the man who’d just said he was ‘all in’ was ‘all out’ again—even denying Jesus with cursing and oaths. But a seed was planted nonetheless—a seed that would last the rest of his life.
Peter was won over by the transparency and love of a servant’s heart.