Chapter One Hundred Twenty: Taken Off Guard

Dogs can only understand certain words or short phrases spoken by humans; they cannot comprehend complete sentences. When Yan Shuang’s parents constantly talk around the dog, in the dog’s eyes, it’s merely the owner nagging incessantly. This is a one-sided action that might even unknowingly place pressure on the dog.

After clarifying this, Zhang Congwen began contemplating how to train the dog. There are many methods to address separation anxiety, but they require long-term persistence and the development of the dog’s patience.

Given Yan Shuang’s mother’s current condition—herself prone to separation anxiety—using conventional training methods would undoubtedly be difficult. This greatly limited the available training options.

In the end, Zhang Congwen chose to divide the separation anxiety training into several stages.

Typically, dogs with separation anxiety have been excessively pampered and protected by their owners. While pampering and protection may seem beneficial, when overdone, it often backfires. The dog’s attention becomes almost entirely focused on the owner, weakening its independence, thinking ability, and confidence. Ultimately, such dogs become overly dependent “mama’s boys.”

Therefore, Zhang Congwen’s objective was to divert some of the bully dog’s attention away from its owner and towards other things, simultaneously exercising its thinking ability and building its confidence.

After all, a confident and independent dog will not become anxious simply because its owner leaves. Conversely, cultivating a dog’s confidence can alleviate its separation anxiety.

Having settled on this training plan, Zhang Congwen asked Yan Shuang for the bully dog’s favorite treats and an unscented tissue pack. He wrapped a treat inside a tissue ball and tossed it onto the floor.

This method was intended to encourage the bully dog to use its sense of smell to find the treat independently, thereby enhancing its autonomy and confidence. The approach was also designed to be playful and lighthearted, so neither the dog nor the owner would resist.

However, when Zhang Congwen threw the tissue ball down, the bully dog did not curiously sniff it; instead, it looked toward its owner. Zhang Congwen had to have the owner gently push the dog off the sofa. Then, he took another treat, let the dog sniff it, wrapped it in tissue, and threw it down again.

Yet Zhang Congwen had underestimated the dog’s level of dependence; it again cast a pleading look at Yan Shuang’s mother. To Zhang Congwen’s dismay, Yan Shuang’s mother tried to mimic the dog’s behavior, attempting to teach it how to find the treat.

Zhang Congwen hurriedly interrupted her. Although this gesture might temporarily help the dog, it would ultimately keep the dog under her shelter, bringing no benefit to its growth.

Yan Shuang’s mother grew anxious, eager for her dog “daughter” to perform better, while Zhang Congwen remained steadfast, unwilling to ease the training.

Tempted by the treat, the bully dog finally broke free from its reliance on Yan Shuang’s mother and began to sniff around. The treat was not wrapped too tightly, so the dog could easily uncover it.

Zhang Congwen repeated the trick, throwing several tissue balls—some containing treats, others empty. The goal was to train the dog to distinguish which tissue balls held treats.

Once the bully dog mastered the skill of finding the treats, Zhang Congwen raised the difficulty by wrapping the treats more tightly, making it harder for the dog to access them.

This was aimed at cultivating the dog’s patience.

After multiple failed attempts, the dog once again looked to its owner for help. But with Zhang Congwen present, the dog’s request was denied.

Persisting, Zhang Congwen’s insistence gradually made the dog anxious. Seeing this, Yan Shuang’s mother softened and pleaded with Zhang Congwen to reduce the difficulty.

A doting mother spoils the child!

Zhang Congwen had never felt strongly about this phrase until now, when he truly witnessed the meaning firsthand.

The dog’s current state was largely due to Yan Shuang’s mother’s overindulgence, yet she still failed to recognize her mistake.

Fortunately, with Yan Shuang present, there was no need for Zhang Congwen to say much; Yan Shuang comforted her mother.

Thankfully, the bully dog was not beyond help. After everyone’s patient perseverance, it finally managed to retrieve the treat from the tissue.

At this point, Zhang Congwen halted the training. Under the current circumstances, Yan Shuang’s mother needed to participate; otherwise, she would inevitably become an obstacle.

Zhang Congwen quickly changed tactics. He folded two tissues, placed a treat between them on the floor, and asked Yan Shuang’s mother to leash the bully dog and guide it toward the treat.

Unexpectedly, the dog’s attention remained fixed entirely on its owner, ignoring the treat on the ground.

Despite multiple failed attempts, the dog eventually succeeded, but Zhang Congwen noticed Yan Shuang’s mother’s expression was not one of joy; instead, it darkened.

Zhang Congwen did not pay much attention to this change, attributing it to frustration from repeated failures.

In truth, Yan Shuang’s mother harbored some resentment toward Zhang Congwen, believing he was deliberately making things difficult for her and her dog.

Zhang Congwen had instructed her to guide the dog toward the treat but prohibited any direct indication or touching, even after the dog found the treat. She was only to stand aside and wait for the dog to discover it independently before offering praise.

He took this approach because he noticed the family’s habit of incessantly nagging the bully dog, which only disrupted the dog’s focus and increased training difficulty.

Zhang Congwen explained this, but Yan Shuang’s mother refused to listen.

Nevertheless, after several training sessions, both owner and dog gradually grasped the technique.

Half an hour later, the bully dog finally achieved the training goal.

With this milestone reached, Zhang Congwen commenced patience training. If the bully dog could learn to wait patiently, it would be easier for it to overcome anxiety and unease when separated.

Zhang Congwen held a treat before the dog’s eyes, then raised his palm to signal it not to move. After three seconds, he gave the treat.

He then asked Yan Shuang’s mother to do the same.

But under her guidance, the bully dog was far less obedient.

Before she could even raise her palm, the dog rushed forward and snatched the treat from her hand.

After several failed attempts, Yan Shuang’s mother’s emotions suddenly collapsed.

This sudden change caught Zhang Congwen off guard.