As a “centre of excellence” Watchdogs Ltd’s training centre is accredited by all three of the industry training organisations for security dogs.

The British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers, the National Training Inspectorate for Professional Dog Users and the National Association of Security Dog Users all recognise and approve Watchdogs as a training and examination centre.

Our instructors are able to train both dogs and handlers in preparation for examination by either body and they are fully conversant with the current legislative requirements governing the use of dogs within the commercial sector.

Should a handler not have their own dog we are able to provide a “pool” dog in order to enable the handler to receive training prior to obtaining one.

We are firmly committed to helping to raise the standards of dogs and handlers within the security sector.

We believe that by raising the standards companies and individuals involved within the sector will be treated as professionals and will be able to charge more realistic rates for the services that they provide.

In general all three organisations are looking for a similar standard of theoretical knowledge regarding: The Law, Canine Welfare and Husbandry and practical handling skills in Obedience, Agility and Protection.

Obedience: Heel work including turns to the left and right, the sit, the down, the stay (in sight of the handler), the recall and the present (the dog to sit up in front of the handler to re attach leash).

Agility: The dog must be taught to negotiate certain obstacles, e.g. 3ft hurdle or clear jump, a 4ft 6″ solid wall and an “A” frame whilst remaining under full and proper control of the handler.

Patrol, Location and Criminal Work: The handler is taught to patrol in a proper co-ordinated manner with his or her dog and to recognise indications given by the dog that there may be an intruder on the premises. The dog is taught to bark having located an intruder.

The dog and handler team are taught how to deal with an intruder once they have been located and the dog may have to demonstrate its ability to protect its handler from attack. Once the situation has been brought under control the dog and handler team will be shown how to safely escort the intruder to a designated area.

Other: The handler must be able to fit a muzzle to their dog and must be able to carry the dog if required for at least 10 paces.

The dog must not react adversely to loud noises i.e. gun fire.

Available Courses

Watchdogs Ltd routinely offer EDI Level 2 General Purpose Security Dog Handler courses. Each 5 day course is run from the Watchdogs head office and prices are available on application. For further information, please contact David Hollis on 0870 750 0545. Below are details of the forthcoming training dates for 2010:

• Feb: 8th to 12th
• March: 1st to 5th & 15th to 19th
• April: 26th to 30th
• May: 17th to 21st
• July: 5th to 9th
• August: 2nd to 6th & 16th to 20th
• October: 11th to 15th & 25th to 29th
• November: 15th to 19th
• December: 6th to 10th & 13th to 17th

Practical Training Assistants Course (Foundation Baiters Courses)

The Practical Training Assistants Course (Foundation Baiters Courses) is designed to train suitably experienced individuals so that they have a good understanding of and are proficient at carrying out training practices safely and effectively in the training and testing of general purpose security patrol dogs in intruder detection and handler protection exercises at a basic level.

Available Courses

Watchdogs Ltd routinely offer Practical Training Assistants Courses. Each 2 day course is run from the Watchdogs head office and prices are available on application. For further information, please contact David Hollis on 0870 750 0545. Below are details of the forthcoming training dates for 2010:

• March: 22nd to 24th
• May: 10th to 12th
• August: 9th to 11th
• November: 8th to 9th