Meet Manuel Buchanan | International Certified Dog Trainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Manuel Buchanan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Manuel, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DOGS AND OWNERS:

The relationship between dogs and humans has a long time of coexistence, officially between 14 to 12,000 years, although there is evidence of coexistence with tame wolves for around 100,000 years. This means that within the joint evolutionary process, the establishment of shared channels of communication have been present.

The adaptation to the human environment in which a dog develops increases its chances of permanence in that human nucleus (family) and this is based on the possibility of learning the rules of coexistence that this group demands. The presence of behaviors such as aggression or urinating in undesignated places will always put at risk the permanence of a dog within a human group.

Errors in this interspecies communication often have to do with that people considers them as small human beings, and therefore with the ability to fully decipher what an owner assumes is a clear signal. In the same sense, the human’s interpretations of the dog’s behaviors, such as submissive behaviors in the face of what it is supposed to have done wrong, are a very important example of this misinterpretation.

In dogs, the channels and the importance of obtaining signals have important differences with respect to humans. As is known, the sense of smell is of fundamental importance for the dog, both in obtaining satisfiers such as food, as well as in establishing social relationships. Sight and hearing also have a very important role; The latter are senses that are used in a more daily way in communication with humans, compared to smell, which in humans despite having some importance in general, this use is less conscious.

In this sense, on the part of dogs there are body postures basically designed for the identification of emotional states between them, in addition to clear signals regarding the type of social interaction. The combination of tail and ear positions, gaze, panting or closed snout, appearing large or small give these types of signals which will have to be practiced to match them with the response to whom they are sent.

Failures in the interpretation of signals both between dogs and between humans and dogs can result in a wrong response and therefore confusion.

in both the sender and the receiver. Therefore, a good interpretation is essential in a training process.

The complete message will be made up of the combination of several signals, visual, auditory, olfactory, but in relation to communication with humans, the visual ones take on fundamental importance, since they represent the easiest to interpret for us.

Therefore, “teaching” who is in charge can sometimes turn a moderate problem into an extreme one, or on the other hand, rewarding undesirable behaviors can favor them, for example, fear behaviors, excessive barking or even some types of aggression.

Among the different types of behavioral problems that may have a component of communication errors, there are aggression due to dominance, aggression generated by fear, different types of anxious states such as separation anxiety, fears directed at specific targets, such as loud noises, storms and fireworks.

At K9PW TRAINING AND BOARDING our goal is not only to teach our furry friends, we are convinced of how important it is to guide owners in the learning process to have clear and simple communication with their dog.

To do this, we invite them to participate once a week in sessions to reinforce the instructions learned by their dog in our basic training courses.

In these sessions, the owners of our students have the opportunity to practice with other dogs around them, always taking care of the safety of each one of them.

BENEFITS OF DOG TRAINING FOR HUMANITY

In various fields, it has been found that the presence of a well-behaved animal considerably reduces the feelings that threaten a large part of the population: such as sadness, anxiety, depression, loneliness, among others.

Among the benefits that trained dogs can promote towards humans are:

• EMPATHY (Identification with another being, but with understanding of their feelings and needs): This is because understanding what an animal is feeling is easier than determining what a person is experiencing, because the animal is honest, simple and live the moment.

• EXTERNAL FOCUS (Taking individuals outside of themselves): People with mental illness or low self-esteem tend to focus only on themselves and their problems; dogs can help them get out of this state and focus on the environment around them; so it allows them to think and talk about other things.

• PHYSICAL CONTACT (Touching and being touched): It can be said that psychologically, when a person shelters another living being, their need to be sheltered is also satisfied. In hospitals, for example, where most contacts are painful or invasive, contact with an animal is safe, pleasant, and non-threatening.

• IMPENETRATION (Relationship of mutual trust or a feeling of connection with another being): In therapeutic settings, animals can help to obtain an emotionally safe atmosphere (if you have an animal, it can’t be that bad) The presence of an animal can open a path in the patient’s initial resistance; since animals have the ability to open emotionally healthy channels.

ACCEPTANCE (Reception and favorable acceptance towards others): Animals have a form of acceptance that does not involve evaluating the other, they do not make judgments and it is not very complicated either.

• SOCIALIZATION (Seek and enjoy the company of others): Several studies reveal that when dogs visit hospitals, homes etc. There is more laughter and interaction between residents and that encourages socialization in three ways:

Between residents
Between residents and site staff
Between residents, family and other visitors

• ENTERTAINMENT: Almost always the presence of an animal can be entertaining; even for people who don’t like animals. Especially in long-stay homes, since it provides distraction and even something to talk about, which promotes positive atmospheres and reduces feelings of isolation.

• PHYSIOLOGICAL BENEFITS (Positive effects on the basic functioning of the body)

The release of endorphins is induced since sensations of tranquility are generated that turn out to be relaxing. Many tests have shown that the decrease in heart problems and blood pressure levels can be dramatic.

Anyway, these are just some of the benefits reported in various studies around the world.

What should our readers know about your business?
SINCE I WAS A CHILD I LIKED ANIMALS, IN MY HOUSE THERE WERE ALWAYS DOGS, BIRDS, FISH ETC… WHEN THEY ASKED ME WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO STUDY, I JUST WANTED TO BE A VETERINARIAN, SO THANKS GOD I WAS ABLE TO STUDY THE CAREER OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND ZOOTECHNICS.

AFTER WORKING FOR MORE THAN 13 YEARS IN A PRIVATE CLINIC, AND ANOTHER 14 YEARS IN FEDERAL AND MUNICIPAL INSTITUTIONS DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING CANINE TRAINING PROGRAMS IN DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES, IN MAY 2017 WE OPENED THE DOORS OF K9 PW TRAINING AND BOARDING TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC (FAMILIES).

IT DEFINITELY HASN´T BEEN EASY, BUT THE LOVE WE HAVE FOR DOGS HELPS US EVERY DAY TO KEEP FORWARD, LOOKING FOR A WAY TO PROVIDE THE BEST SERVICES FOR FAMILIES WHO TRUST US WITH THEIR FURRY FRIENDS.

WE OVERCOME CHALLENGES DAY BY DAY WITH THE EXPERIENCE GAINED IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS ENJOYING WORKING WITH DOGS AND WORKING AS A TEAM WITH PEOPLE WHO HELP US IN DIFFERENT AREAS

IT HAS DEFINITELY BEEN WORTH HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT I LIKE FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

AND IT IS VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT EVERY DAY I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW AND LEARN MORE FROM DOGS.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
HOUSTON RODEO HOUSTON ZOO
THE WOODLANDS
THE SHOPPING CENTERS
DISCOVERY GREEN
CONCERTS AT THE MILLER PARK

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am convinced that the success that we have at K9 Police Working Noses and K9 PW Training and Boarding, the training school and canine hotel, is thanks to our experience, bringing together personal and work situations where we have had the opportunity to learn and value, putting them in the same project, contribute with the best that there is in each one of us to get ahead and provide quality service for the families and institutions that trust on us. In addition, we have a commitment with our two daughters, to whom we have always tried to instill important values in life such as respect for our peers, love and respect for animals, study hard, be honest with themselves, in what they are doing, and the importance of being happy with what they decide to do in life. And of course, being grateful for the blessings we have every day.

I definitely want to dedicate this stage of my life to my wife Carla and my two daughters Shanti and Danelle, because without the support and motivation they give me every day, being where I am would not be possible or meaningful.

INCLUDING IN THE CREDIT, MY FRIEND LOLA, OUR BOXER, WHO HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING THAT A WONDERFUL DOG ​​CAN GIVE TO A FAMILY.

Website: www.k9pwtrainingandboarding and www.k9policeworkingnoses.com

Instagram: #k9pwtrainingandboarding.com

Facebook: K9 PW Training and Boarding

Image Credits
Christian Valenzuela