In the bustling Utawala neighborhood, amidst his busy schedule as a businessman and dog breeder, Kevin Mwangi dedicates his life to catering to the well-being of his canine companion, Nia.
In an exclusive interview with The Star, Mwangi, a self-proclaimed cynophilist, (A person who loves dogs) revealed his approach to "pawsitive parenting," offering valuable insights for dog owners.
Pawsitive parenting is a loving and positive relationship between a dog and their owner.
Mwangi's journey with Nia, a German Shepherd-Rottweiler crossbreed, began with an instant connection. "I went to the previous owner, and from a litter of six, she chose me," he recalls.
"We bonded from the first petting I gave her."
He shares with The Star her quirks and personality.
“Nia is filled with love, enjoys belly rubs, long drives, and has a playful penchant for chasing rats,” he says.
One common misconception Mwangi debunked is the belief that isolation equals protection.
"Most people believe that locking up a dog for the better part of the day will make it aggressive to strangers and be protective enough to its owners. That is not true. Dogs need proper socialization and training," he emphasizes.
He unpacked the myth of the "seven dog years" rule, emphasizing that dogs' lives, though shorter than ours, deserve to be filled with quality and care.
“Another popular misconception is that one dog year is equivalent to 7 human years. Since dogs live up to approximately 12 years, and humans 84 years, people calculate and create comparison between the two, stating a dog who is 12 years old is 84 years old in human years,” he added.
Mwangi prioritizes regulated socialization of Nia with other dogs, people, and the environment.
“We do a lot of socialization with other dogs, people and the environment in general. All the socialisation is very controlled,” he says.
For Mwangi, preventative care is paramount. He schedules veterinary checkups every three months and diligently monitors Nia for behavioral changes, which could signal underlying health issues.
"There are no specific health problems when well taken care of and with regular checkups," he asserts.
Kevin Mwangi alongside Nia during an interview with the StarRegular training, he explains, is crucial for both teaching new skills and strengthening their bond.
"Training with my dog also helps me bond with her more and understand her better," he says.
Daily walks or runs, at dawn and dusk, are non-negotiable, contributing to Nia's fitness, health, and socialization.
“I train my dog very regularly to teach her new skills or to attain certain behaviors or as a correction to what I feel is necessary," Mwangi says.
Grooming, another essential aspect of care, is done biweekly.
"I groom my dog twice a week and would recommend that too," he advises.
He also favors scheduled feeding over free-feeding, promoting discipline and structure.
“I feed my dog on a schedule which also helps me attain more disciplined behaviours from her,” he says during an interview with The Star.
Mwangi supplements Nia's diet with vitamins and calcium for optimal health and appearance.
He also acknowledges that dogs can be triggered by various stimuli, such as noise, other animals, or vehicles. He advocates for controlled socialization to address these triggers.
“Some dogs are triggered by noise, other animals or even vehicles. Most triggers are discovered through the way. Every trigger requires a different approach, but most of them need socialisation with the specific trigger in a very controlled environment,” he says.
Mwangi also spoke on the heavy responsibility that comes with raising and taking care of a pet.
“Having a dog is a commitment that requires you to give your dog the best," he concludes.
"Dogs are super companions, and for the short period of their lives that they are with us, we should give them the best life."
Would you like us to tell your story related to this topic? If yes, please send details to [email protected].
