Chapter 118: Three Years Without Stepping Outside

Dog training organizations typically keep a few well-tempered dogs on hand to assist with training. After all, the most effective communication with dogs doesn’t come from humans, but from other dogs. In certain training disciplines, dogs training dogs is far more direct and effective than humans training dogs.

However, Zhang Congwen’s Canine Communication Training Base had devoted most of its resources and energy to Da Sheng, so it hadn’t prepared much in this area.

Zhang Congwen might not have such dogs, but others did.

Qian Kouhe, who had been heavily involved in rescuing stray dogs, naturally knew far more dog owners than Zhang Congwen did.

When Zhang Congwen called Qian Kouhe, he agreed immediately without hesitation. Soon, Qian Kouhe gathered about a dozen dogs for him.

Some came from their rescue center, some were dogs that had been adopted out by the center, and others belonged to friends Qian Kouhe knew.

Without exception, these dogs were all very stable in temperament and highly sociable.

Zhang Congwen fenced off a simple enclosure in the open space next to the training base and then contacted Tong Chaoren.

When Tong Chaoren arrived at the Canine Communication Training Base with a Great Dane, about a dozen dogs and their owners were already waiting inside the enclosure.

The Great Dane was visibly delighted to see Zhang Congwen, eagerly circling around him and clinging to him, as if greeting an old friend long unseen.

Once the Great Dane calmed down, Zhang Congwen asked Tong Chaoren about its recent condition.

Tong Chaoren replied, “It’s much calmer during walks now. The frequency and force of its pulling have decreased significantly since we started training it using your methods. It still gets excited when it sees other dogs, but that excitement is now manageable.”

Zhang Congwen smiled. “That’s alright. Today’s session is dedicated to completely resolving that particular issue.”

After checking the muzzle on the Great Dane, Zhang Congwen released it into the enclosure and, together with Tong Chaoren, began observing from nearby.

The Great Dane immediately grew excited upon seeing so many of its kind, but with Zhang Congwen by its side, it refrained from any frightening behavior.

Under Zhang Congwen’s guidance, the Great Dane first showed interest in a small terrier.

However, that terrier’s attention was fixed solely on its owner, completely ignoring the Great Dane.

As the Great Dane approached, the terrier grew visibly fearful and began retreating behind its owner. Seeing this, Zhang Congwen gently pulled the Great Dane back.

He told Tong Chaoren, “If there are no threatening dogs around, it should be allowed to rest and relax as much as possible. Over time, the psychological trauma from past fights will gradually heal. When it sees a dog it’s interested in, and the other dog doesn’t react aggressively, encourage it to approach and sniff each other’s scent. But if either dog shows reluctance, don’t force it—simply keep them apart.”

Just then, a Belgian Malinois approached proactively.

Surprisingly, the Great Dane showed a shy side in response to this sudden enthusiasm. Although it wanted to befriend the Malinois, it seemed unsure how to proceed.

Even when the Malinois invited it to play, the Great Dane remained somewhat reserved.

Seeing this, Zhang Congwen stopped restraining the Great Dane, letting it handle the interaction on its own.

On one hand, it was eager; on the other, it displayed a bashful shyness, creating a charmingly amusing scene.

This didn’t last long. The Malinois was very sociable, and before long, the Great Dane was joyfully playing with it.

The two dogs ran and jumped around the enclosure, quickly becoming friends.

Soon, the Great Dane had not only befriended the Malinois but also made connections with several other dogs.

Seeing his dog so happy, Tong Chaoren couldn’t help but smile.

However, most of the Great Dane’s new friends were medium to large breeds; few were small dogs.

Zhang Congwen explained, “Because of its huge size, the Great Dane naturally exudes an aura when it walks. Small dogs and their owners often mistake this for aggression, so it has fewer small canine friends.”

Despite this, Zhang Congwen could clearly see the Great Dane’s progress. It was learning quickly—in just half a day, it had grasped the basics of canine social etiquette.

With frequent close interactions with other dogs, it would surely master canine social skills and improve its sociability.

When the gathering ended, the Great Dane looked reluctant to leave. Even Tong Chaoren could see the longing in the dog’s eyes.

Just as Zhang Congwen finished explaining how to continue training the Great Dane, Song Jiawei suddenly appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

“There’s a dog that needs your attention tomorrow. The client is in a hurry, so handle this dog’s case first,” Song Jiawei said bluntly.

“What kind of dog?” Zhang Congwen asked. “What’s the urgency? Do we have any pre-recorded videos?”

Song Jiawei replied, “It’s a bully breed. No pre-recorded videos—the owner won’t allow us to record, so you’ll have to see for yourself. Our client said the owner hasn’t left the house in three years.”

“Hasn’t left the house in three years? What’s going on? Is the dog so vicious the owner’s afraid to leave?” Zhang Congwen was taken aback and asked quickly.

Though called a bully, this breed mainly looks intimidating.

Its appearance often conjures images of gangster groups like the Qinglong Gang, but in reality, these dogs are more like the Cabbage Gang.

They’re friendly towards people but not as amicable with other dogs. They fight at every encounter but invariably lose. Against large dogs like Great Danes, they can at best leap up to nip at their ankles.

In terms of fighting ability, bully breeds are outmatched and outpaced—they bark louder than they bite, and even when provoked, their anger quickly subsides.

Such a dog wouldn’t cause its owner to remain housebound for three years.

Song Jiawei explained, “It’s not that the owner’s too scared to go out. After getting this dog, the owner simply doesn’t want to leave. Anyway…”

Song Jiawei’s expression conveyed his uncertainty.

Eventually, he said, “You’ll understand when you see it for yourself. It’s complicated.”

“Alright,” Zhang Congwen responded, feeling helpless. After all the talk, Song Jiawei had said nothing concrete. He’d have to see firsthand.

Song Jiawei added, “Be mentally prepared. This dog won’t be easy to train.”

Zhang Congwen gave Song Jiawei a disdainful glance. “You were the one who said the Great Dane was hard to train. Don’t try to scare me.”

Song Jiawei clarified, “It’s not the dog’s fault—it’s the people’s problem…”

After some explanation, Zhang Congwen finally understood.

The person seeking training wasn’t the dog’s owner but the owner’s daughter. She contacted Zhang Congwen because she couldn’t tolerate her parents’ attitude toward the bully dog and was determined to have him train it properly.

Zhang Congwen asked about their attitude.

Song Jiawei hesitated for a long moment before bluntly saying, “You’ll see for yourself tomorrow. The daughter’s parents are like… well, they don’t seem normal no matter how you look at it.”