|
Friday 11th August, started like any other day,
continuation training with my own dogs, potential patrol dogs and
handlers were arriving for assessment and one security dog and
handler accreditation. I had previously met
Ian Swift when he took his BTEC Level 2 Award in Door Supervision at
the centre some weeks earlier. As customary with the NTIPDU
accreditation, he walked and watered his dog before we completed the
necessary paperwork and took a ten minute break before commencing.
I have never seen a more professional and
NATURAL dog handler, he gave 101% in every discipline that he
carried out. He moved effortlessly around the square at varying
speeds, the agility was exceptional as was the remainder of the
accreditation.
After assessing and rejecting several less than
professional teams during the last few months, I was beginning to
get very disillusioned with the standard some handlers worked to,
together with their lack of understanding and acknowledgement when
constructive criticism was offered.
However, after watching this professional dog and
handler team, it has raised my hopes dramatically. This is the type
of dedicated and professional handler the industry so desperately
needs.
Well done to both Ian and 'Max'
Richard Timmis |
