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Dog and Handler Work after
Standard
One
specialism within the guarding is dog handling. Here’s word from
Sandra and Richard Timmis of the National Training Inspectorate for
Professional Dog Users formed in 2002. Since then, through hard work
and determination we have progressed to a point where we now have a
British Standard in place BS 8517-1 for general purpose security
dogs, part two for specialist detection dogs is in progress, this
together with a nationally recognised qualification for dog
handlers, serious about training and standards.
Although the security dog sector is not recognised as a specialist
sector by the SIA, we must maintain the standards set at level 2 and
move forward. This is not mandatory; it is for those who wish to
advance.
Now
the British Standard is in place, the NTIPDU have moved onto
advanced dog handling at level 3, for example; the stand off,
building search, suspect search etc all off lead, these disciplines
demonstrate the professionalism of the handler teamed with a well
trained dog. Training is at centres throughout the UK and is
transferred to ‘live’ venues providing practical experiences, taking
part are people of all nationalities, male and female illustrating
new methods within the security dog sector. To date this type of
advanced training is only used by the Police and Forces, we in the
private sector believe that not too far in the future we will be
called on to make this advancement, by this time accredited dogs and
handlers will be fully prepared. The qualification for the advanced
work will be modular, upon completion of each module a safety
certificate will be issued, once all modules have been successfully
completed an NTIPDU certificate will be issued endorsed by an
awarding body.
Laser Light
As
an example of this advanced work the NTIPDU were asked to explore
the feasibility of utilising a laser light visible to a dog and the
possibility of linking it to a fire arms unit. We searched for
several weeks to find two dogs that were capable of carrying out
this task, after training the canines followed the laser beam
wherever it shone. The end result being achieved when the light was
pinpointed on a target, the dog carried out the remainder of the
discipline with the target being brought to the ground and
immobilised.
Article
taken from Professional Security Magazine November 2009 issue
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