To be a Mahout you must: Love the elephant. Be patient with the elephant. Many mahouts began training with one elephant and stay with the same elephant for many years. The relationship between mahout and elephant can be very deep and profound. You must first ask permission and protection from the elephant God, Gansha before you begin training to be a Mahout.
In the top picture is Brian from Australia, Monica from Switzerland and me (Lawrence) from USA. Asking permission and protection from the God Gansha to be trained as Mahouts.