For Shafic Walusimbi , popularly known as FickbellaWalusimbi, a childhood fascination with dogs has developed into a professional career that has taken him from Uganda to training opportunities and connections beyond the country.
The 31-year-old professional dog trainer says his journey began with a simple love for dogs. Over time, that interest developed into a deeper understanding of canine behaviour, training and responsible ownership.
His introduction to professional dog training took a significant turn after he travelled to Mombasa, Kenya. There, he encountered trainers working with dogs for specialised purposes and gained exposure to techniques that went beyond basic obedience and security training.
Among the people who influenced his development was Samuel Kuyoni, a Mombasa-based trainer who worked with water rescue dogs.
Seeing professionally trained dogs perform specialised tasks changed Walusimbi’s perception of what dogs could do.
He began to appreciate dogs not only as pets or guard animals, but also as highly trainable working animals capable of performing specialised roles when properly handled and trained.
That experience motivated him to pursue training more seriously.
Walusimbi later ventured into dog breeding while training dogs on a part-time basis. The combination of breeding and training gave him an opportunity to learn more about different breeds, temperaments and behavioural patterns.
What had started as a part-time pursuit eventually developed into a full-time profession.
As his experience grew, Walusimbi continued looking for opportunities to improve his skills. His training journey exposed him to internationally recognised approaches to dog training, including methods associated with Bart Bellon, one of the founders of the NePoPo training system.
He also gained exposure through Cali K9, a dog-training brand based in the United States.
These experiences broadened his understanding of different approaches to communication, motivation and discipline in dog training.
But his biggest breakthrough came through social media.
Walusimbi began producing videos showing his work with dogs. What started as a way of documenting and sharing his experiences gradually attracted a wider audience.
Some of his videos went viral, introducing his work to dog enthusiasts outside Uganda.
Social media also gave him an opportunity to educate the public about dog behaviour and training. His content demonstrates different aspects of obedience and handling while encouraging owners to understand their animals rather than relying solely on punishment or force.
As his online following grew, so did professional opportunities.
Walusimbi has since had opportunities to interact with prominent personalities and train dogs belonging to some well-known individuals. Such engagements have contributed to his growing profile in the dog-training industry.
Despite the attention, he says the central focus of his work remains the relationship between people and their dogs.
For Walusimbi, effective training is not simply about teaching a dog to respond to commands. It involves understanding the animal’s temperament, behaviour, fears, strengths and instincts.
He also believes that owners have an important role to play in the process.
A well-trained dog, he argues, is only part of the equation. Owners must understand how to communicate with their animals, maintain consistency and provide appropriate care.
This approach has shaped his work as he seeks to promote responsible dog ownership and professional training in Uganda and beyond.
His journey has also demonstrated the potential of social media to create opportunities for young professionals working in specialised fields.
From learning about professional dog training in Mombasa to breeding and training dogs in Uganda, and later building an online audience, Walusimbi has gradually turned an interest into a career.
At 31, he is still looking to expand his work and share his knowledge with a wider audience.
He hopes his experience will encourage other young Africans to explore careers built around their interests while investing in training, discipline and continuous learning.
For Walusimbi, the journey began with a love for dogs. Today, that passion has become a profession centred on training, communication and the bond between humans and animals.
