31 Jan 2013

Many have eked a leaving out of sports especially football, but for Mr Kenny Magana, dogs have proved to be an investment for him as there are many opportunities out there and the sky is the limit.

Born some 24 years ago in Metsimotlhabe in the Kweneng District, just a stone throw away from the seat of government-capital Gaborone, Mr Magana has taken dog training and breeding to be a career dream and wants to take it to greater heights.

This Sagittarian fighter started rearing dogs seven years ago when he was a secondary school student, but since then there was no turning back and soldiered on up to this very hour. Having landed in the business with all his weight, Mr Magana is determined to take the dog industry by storm.

His reign in the table count to his favour in producing and distributing the likes of grey Hound, Germany Shepherds, and  most of all he happened to have the very rare breeds of Doberman and Boxer of which he intends to specialise in. “My Doberman is a pure breed and I intend to focus only on this breed and the Boxer” he says.

The young stars says he has learned how expensive it is to breed a dog, in fact, it is more like keeping a car or raising a child. “They eat a lot and you can’t give them just anything but special foods to keep them fit and free from diseases, they have special diet just like us”, he said. But he is not afraid of the hard road ahead.

Magana find pleasure in the dogs industry that he plans to establish the Dogs Association that will help dog sellers to reach for their customers all over the country.

He said it will also help on DNA identification of a dog since many people are unable to identify pure breed from a cross breed as well as teaching the handling care of the dogs.

He is aiming high and his guns are oiled to take a brilliant shot at supplying the country with his produce as well as providing personal training to local people. Having struggled with his parents to let him pursue his hobby as a career, they finally gave him a chance and sponsored him to do a dog training course at Molepolole Dogs Centre School.

This is where he acquired skills ranging from Dog Aggression, Dog Obedience, Dog Socialisation, Dog Rehabilitation, Handler Protection, Guarding (open space guarding, car guarding, indoor guarding and outdoor guarding).

 Amongst them all, Mr Magana says guarding dogs are likely to be on high demand or promise to do well in his business. These are dogs that are used for security reasons in residential places.

 However, he will like security companies to bring their dogs for handler protection which few security companies have.

He says, most people keep their dogs in kennels or chained up, they think that prepares them for guarding, but little do they know how such dogs become wild and are dangerous even when not necessary.

“This sometimes results in the dog attacking its owner. They are uncontrollable but a trained dog is controllable, Mr Magana lamented.

The young star takes six weeks to train a dog except for special purpose not in his category, meanwhile he takes more time if he has to correct the mistakes imposed on the dog beforehand. According to this specialist, dogs are trainable from the age of eight (8) months up until they are four (4) years.

Though too much work is to be done when training a dog, he is sure his prices beat the rest around the country.

A puppy will cost around P1 800 while adults cost about P3 000 depending on its job. However his special Breed (Doberman dog) which he says is the best and respond very well to the weather conditions hence making it easy to work both indoor and outdoor cost about P5 000 only.

He however have special dogs to be hired for guarding the yard when one goes on holiday. The rates are negotiable. However, individuals and companies are more than welcome to bring their dogs for training at very affordable cost for six weeks as well.

Though not yet achieved exposure, Mr Magana has done his part to advertise as he is always on dog’s exhibition and competitions held around, some of which he won.

He would also like to further his skill in South Africa one day. When asked how his clients reach him, Mr Magana says he advertises Kema Dogs Centre in the Botswana Advertiser every week.

Like many successful business entrepreneurs he travelled a long way to stardom through dedication and hard-work. “Unlike other business most of the time you are forced to spend from your pocket,” he retorted.

 He was given a space at their farm in the outskirts of Metsimotlhabe by his parents. He was forced to ask yet another help from his father to build his dogs at least ten kennels which cost him P12 000. That is not all, his father had to lend him his farm worker for assistance whenever he was in need.

Mr Magana tried his luck in the youth grants which he never managed to acquire to date, but that has never weakened his hope as he is still going strong and looking forward to triying his luck for the second time.

His ambitions are to advance in equipment. He plans to buy Arm sleeve machine, Muzzle and the Bite Suite.

Another problem he singled out is of customers. The truth is, most buyers or consumers do not know the essential scope when choosing a dog or for what purpose. This, he says, may result in them likely to experience problems with the behaviour of their dogs at their homes.  ENDS