'King of dogs' turns passion into a flourishing enterprise
July 30, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
DOGS like to obey. It gives them security."
The words of famous English veterinarian and writer James Herriot must certainly ring true to Wang Jialiang, who puts it another way: "Just like human beings, dogs adore authoritativeness."
Wang, now in his early 60s, is president of Jialiang K-9 Kennel Shanghai Inc in Minhang's Pujiang Town, a business he started more than 30 years ago. His company trains, boards, breeds and sells dogs, and it's been very successful.
Wang said he grew up as a kid with the dream of becoming a cowboy on horseback, with a faithful dog following along as his sidekick. Dogs and hunting became a way of life for Wang when he was young. In 1976, at the age of 27, he lost an arm in a hunting accident.
The disability didn't deter him. Wang obtained driving license 30 years ago and learned to ride a horse when he was 52. In 2008, he won a silver medal in the Beijing Paralympics Games in horse trials.
But dogs were his special love.
Wang's business employs about 100 staff. There are about 500 dogs at the kennel and more than 100 are trained for security work in airports, docks, trains and concert venues. His dogs were even dispatched to the World Expo site last year in Shanghai.
Nicknamed "king of dogs," Wang sells canines the world over. His clients have included the US Army.
"I have a strong affection for dogs, and all my fortune comes from dogs," Wang said.
He started his company in 1980 with a couple of thousand yuan borrowed from his parents. He said he sniffed business opportunities because the gap between rich and poor was widening and more people were becoming aware of security.
In 1992, he took four German shepherd dogs he trained to the United States and sold three of them for US$2,000 each. He bought a car and drove about 96,000 kilometers in three months to visit dog-training sites in the US to learn from their experiences.
Wang's staff are equally passionate about dogs. Like Xu Yuwei, a 27-year-old Shanghai woman who has been a dog trainer there since 2004.
Her job includes training German shepherds as sniffer dogs for security at Pudong International Airport. She has lost count of the number of dogs she has trained, estimating it to be in the hundreds.
"I love dogs, which is the reason I chose this career," she said. "Is there anything cooler for a girl than becoming a dog trainer?"
Enthusiasm abounds at Jialiang K-9 Kennel. Normally a shy man, Wang comes alive when the subject turns to dogs.
German shepherds are especially good in security work because they have quick response, strong recognition capabilities and a strong sense of obedience, Wang said.
The most important principle in training dogs is that trainers should reward good behavior and never beat the animals. "A reward is a good incentive, while beating will make dogs scared," he said.
There is no dog that can't be trained, he said, but there are plenty of bad trainers about.
"A trainer's characteristics, thoughts and behavior can affect dogs," he said.
Training a dog takes time and patience. If a trainer is in a bad mood, he should just walk away from a lesson because it won't be effective, Wang said.
He has developed a keen sense of dogs.
"Good working dogs should be bold and have a good temper and a good appetite, like human beings," he said.
He tests a dog's boldness by making a loud noise and watching the dog's response. Dogs used for security must be able to remain calm even when confronted by nearby gunfire.
Generally speaking, a dog won't bite humans unless it's being attacked or feels threatened, Wang said.
Problems with dogs usually reflect back on the owners, he said.
People shouldn't own dogs if they aren't willing to take on the responsibilities that having a pet entails.
It's often said that owners express something about their personalities in the dogs they choose. Wang said that's pretty true.
"For example, it's better for introvert people to choose energetic and passionate dogs as pets, which will create joy and vigor in their lives," he said.
Many owners board their dogs with friends when they leave home for a few days, but the practice can make dogs nervous, according to Wang.
"Some dogs are introverted and sensitive, and sending them to a new environment will make them feel nervous and lonely for fear of being abandoned."
He encouraged people to board dogs at kennels where they can be with other dogs.
"Don't keep dogs if you don't have the time to play with them because dogs need companionship with their owners," Wang said.
In summer, people should keep dogs in cool places and not feed them too much, he added.
The words of famous English veterinarian and writer James Herriot must certainly ring true to Wang Jialiang, who puts it another way: "Just like human beings, dogs adore authoritativeness."
Wang, now in his early 60s, is president of Jialiang K-9 Kennel Shanghai Inc in Minhang's Pujiang Town, a business he started more than 30 years ago. His company trains, boards, breeds and sells dogs, and it's been very successful.
Wang said he grew up as a kid with the dream of becoming a cowboy on horseback, with a faithful dog following along as his sidekick. Dogs and hunting became a way of life for Wang when he was young. In 1976, at the age of 27, he lost an arm in a hunting accident.
The disability didn't deter him. Wang obtained driving license 30 years ago and learned to ride a horse when he was 52. In 2008, he won a silver medal in the Beijing Paralympics Games in horse trials.
But dogs were his special love.
Wang's business employs about 100 staff. There are about 500 dogs at the kennel and more than 100 are trained for security work in airports, docks, trains and concert venues. His dogs were even dispatched to the World Expo site last year in Shanghai.
Nicknamed "king of dogs," Wang sells canines the world over. His clients have included the US Army.
"I have a strong affection for dogs, and all my fortune comes from dogs," Wang said.
He started his company in 1980 with a couple of thousand yuan borrowed from his parents. He said he sniffed business opportunities because the gap between rich and poor was widening and more people were becoming aware of security.
In 1992, he took four German shepherd dogs he trained to the United States and sold three of them for US$2,000 each. He bought a car and drove about 96,000 kilometers in three months to visit dog-training sites in the US to learn from their experiences.
Wang's staff are equally passionate about dogs. Like Xu Yuwei, a 27-year-old Shanghai woman who has been a dog trainer there since 2004.
Her job includes training German shepherds as sniffer dogs for security at Pudong International Airport. She has lost count of the number of dogs she has trained, estimating it to be in the hundreds.
"I love dogs, which is the reason I chose this career," she said. "Is there anything cooler for a girl than becoming a dog trainer?"
Enthusiasm abounds at Jialiang K-9 Kennel. Normally a shy man, Wang comes alive when the subject turns to dogs.
German shepherds are especially good in security work because they have quick response, strong recognition capabilities and a strong sense of obedience, Wang said.
The most important principle in training dogs is that trainers should reward good behavior and never beat the animals. "A reward is a good incentive, while beating will make dogs scared," he said.
There is no dog that can't be trained, he said, but there are plenty of bad trainers about.
"A trainer's characteristics, thoughts and behavior can affect dogs," he said.
Training a dog takes time and patience. If a trainer is in a bad mood, he should just walk away from a lesson because it won't be effective, Wang said.
He has developed a keen sense of dogs.
"Good working dogs should be bold and have a good temper and a good appetite, like human beings," he said.
He tests a dog's boldness by making a loud noise and watching the dog's response. Dogs used for security must be able to remain calm even when confronted by nearby gunfire.
Generally speaking, a dog won't bite humans unless it's being attacked or feels threatened, Wang said.
Problems with dogs usually reflect back on the owners, he said.
People shouldn't own dogs if they aren't willing to take on the responsibilities that having a pet entails.
It's often said that owners express something about their personalities in the dogs they choose. Wang said that's pretty true.
"For example, it's better for introvert people to choose energetic and passionate dogs as pets, which will create joy and vigor in their lives," he said.
Many owners board their dogs with friends when they leave home for a few days, but the practice can make dogs nervous, according to Wang.
"Some dogs are introverted and sensitive, and sending them to a new environment will make them feel nervous and lonely for fear of being abandoned."
He encouraged people to board dogs at kennels where they can be with other dogs.
"Don't keep dogs if you don't have the time to play with them because dogs need companionship with their owners," Wang said.
In summer, people should keep dogs in cool places and not feed them too much, he added.
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