For over 15,000 years, dogs have been our steadfast partners, a bond traced back to an ancient pet dog buried alongside humans in Oberkassel, Germany. Science confirms what every dog owner feels: when you lock eyes with your pup, oxytocin (the love hormone) surges in both of you.
Your dog truly loves you back. But being a great friend to your dog takes more than treats and belly rubs. It requires care, patience, and sometimes a trip to dog school.
In Kigali's Kimironko neighbourhood, a unique haven is reshaping how Rwandans view their four-legged friends.
Dog Haus is Rwanda's first dog academy, where wagging tails meet purposeful training, and dogs transform from backyard guards to cherished family members. This is no fast-food joint. It's a place where dogs learn good behaviour, build strength, and occasionally master tricks to steal the show.
Behind this mission are passionate individuals like Carla, Nderitu, and Dieubon, whose love for dogs is sparking a canine cultural revolution in Rwanda, turning ordinary pups into wonders of companionship.
Carla, a Belgian national, arrived in Rwanda two and a half years ago with two suitcases, a big heart, and two dogs. Her pack soon grew to four after she adopted a street dog and kept a foster pup from Wag, a local animal welfare group.
'I've always loved animals,' Carla says, smiling warmly as she sits surrounded by her furry crew.
Carla's journey to Dog Haus began with a striking observation that many dogs in Rwanda were treated less like family and more like living alarm systems, locked up by day, released at night to fend off intruders, and often left lonely.
'It would make the dog aggressive,' Carla recalls. 'I'm happy to see that's happening less now.'
Determined to change this, she joined Dog Haus to create a safe space where dogs are seen as emotional, intelligent beings.
For Carla, training goes beyond simple commands like sit or stay. She wants owners to understand that dogs aren't just guardsâ€"they're companions, friends, even four-legged therapists.
'Once you start to know your dog,' she says, 'you see how they miss you when you're gone.'
Through her work, Carla is helping dogs rise from mere utility to wonders of love and loyalty.
At Dog Haus, there is also Nderitu Mushangi, a certified dog trainer whose calm demeanor and fur-covered clothes reflect the quiet confidence of someone who has spent years working closely with animals.
Trained in Kenya and inspired by his veterinarian father, he has worked with over 30 dogs, including Dogo Argentinos, Caucasian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Malinois, and Dobermans.
According to Nderitu, breed matters. A Maltese and a Malinois might both be cute, but one will snuggle in your lap while the other chases a leaf at 90 km/h.
"Before they get even a breed, they have to understand what the breed comes with," he explains.
At Dog Haus, Nderitu trains about 15 dogs at a time, but his star pupil is his own: Tequitos, a canine legend who won the 2024 Doctober Fest.
Tequitos doesn't just sit and stay. He skates, rides bikes, opens doors, and even performs CPR. If you pass out, Tequitos might save your life, or at least slobber you awake.
Nderitu's work goes beyond tricks, though. It's about building a shared language between dog and owner, where both learn from each other.
'Every day, you're learning something from the dog, and you're teaching the dog something,' he says.
The dog whisperer of Kimironko
Ngabonzima Mugisha Dieubon, Dog Haus's unofficial Dog Whisperer, found his calling during a childhood game of hide-and-seek when he stumbled upon a dog and her puppies.
'I started feeding them, and something just clicked,' he says.
Without formal training, Dieubon had a natural knack for understanding dogs, whether aggressive or anxious.
'I could sense when a dog was defensive or scared. I treated them with understanding,' he explains.
Dieubon's mission took shape when he rescued a local street dog and trained it to outperform some imported breeds.
'People think only foreign dogs can be trained,' he says. His scrappy street pup, now a star at Dog Haus, proves otherwise.
Starting with free training sessions after high school, Dieubon turned his passion into a profession.
'I wasn't planning to make it a job,' he admits. 'I just wanted to train my dog and maybe post it online.'
But his methods worked, and word spread. By turning a street dog into a shining example of skill and loyalty, Dieubon showcases the wonder of giving any dog a chance to thrive.
At Dog Haus, everyone believes that dogs are more than just security tools or status symbols. They are living beings with emotions and needs. Carla, Nderitu, and Dieubon work together with a shared goal to change how Rwandans think about their dogs and to foster stronger, more compassionate relationships.
'Training with your dog matters,' Dieubon emphasises.
A two-week program with an involved owner is more effective than a month of training without them. While foreign residents often grasp this, local owners are still catching up, but Dog Haus is bridging that gap.
Training benefits both dogs and their owners. Without proper guidance, dogs can become confused, resulting in jumped-on guests, ignored commands, and chewed-up shoes. When dogs are trained to respond to commands like 'sit' or 'stay,' daily life becomes safer and more manageable for everyone.
Dieubon stresses responsibility: 'A dog should never leave the compound without a leash. The streets are unpredictable with chickens, goats, and toddlers with brochettes.'
To him, a leash isn't about control; it's about keeping your dog safe in the streets.
Costs are part of the equation, but manageable. Dieubon explains that feeding a dog might cost Frw 150,000, depending on whether you choose processed kibble or natural food. Puppies need quality nutrition to avoid health issues.
'If you don't take care of your dog, it shows in their behaviour,' Dieubon warns.
Compared to replacing furniture or paying for vet visits, training is a bargain. Dog Haus's accessible programs make this transformation possible for more Rwandans, turning dogs into wonders of harmony in the home.
Dog Haus is also challenging stereotypes, such as the belief that only foreign breeds can be trained or that dog ownership is a luxury.
Dieubon's street-dog success story proves local pups can shine, and affordable programs make training accessible. Even tricky breeds like the Chow Chow, stubborn as a coworker who ignores your emails, can be trained with the right approach, though Dieubon admits they're not for beginners.
Dogs have been close to humans since ancient times, evolving from hunting companions to valued family members. Dog Haus is helping Rwanda recognise this reality. Whether it's a rescued street dog gaining confidence, a Malinois developing impressive skills, or Tequitos performing life-saving CPR, the dogs at Dog Haus are showing Kigali a new approach to caring for and living alongside their canine companions.
Watch the full Dog Haus documentary to discover more about the team's work.
IGIHE
