Our Credentials

We are not merely members but also a fully accredited training and examination centre for both The British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers  and The National Training Inspectorate for Professional Dog Users.

A1 K9 have several trainers who are able to tutor both dog and handler teams to the required standard for both the BIPDT and NTIPDU security dog handler assessments.

We normally have at our kennels a selection of part or fully trained dogs that can be teamed up with prospective handlers ready to embark on a career within the security sector.

The security dog handlers course is designed to give candidates the basic knowledge as to how to use and care for their dog within their working environment. The course covers obedience, control, agility, criminal work, health and safety and most importantly, several aspects of animal care.

 

BIPDT

An overview

The British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers is a non profit making organisation that has been established for 30 years. With members worldwide and worldwide recognition of its qualifications it is the oldest association of its type.

The main aims of the institute are:

To compile a register of bona fide persons suitably qualified as trainers of working dogs and to establish the highest code of conduct for all persons connected with the use of dogs in the service of mankind.
By means of training courses and examinations for instructors, trainers and handlers, to raise the standard of training, management, welfare and usage of working dogs.
To promote public interest in working dogs and convey by all possible means an unbiased presentation of the use of dogs.
Give support to suitable legislation for the stricter control of persons harnessing the natural attributes of dogs for commercial purposes.

THE INSTITUTE IS A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT ORGANISATION

REGISTERED IN ENGLAND 1995 AS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE. REGISTERED NO: 3048148
REGISTERED OFFICE: BOWSTONE GATE, NR. DISLEY, CHESHIRE. SK12 2AW. COMPANY SECRETARY: TOM BUCKLEY

 

NTIPDU

Where it began and where it is going

For more than 25 years the various governments have insisted that there will be some form of legislation governing the private security industry, this legislation eventually reared its head for discussion in 2000. Following debates in Parliament, the Private Security Industry Act 2001 was conceived and received royal assent on 11 th May 2001. As part of the Act there needed to be a governing body, this lead to the inception of the SIA (Security Industry Authority), originally chaired by Mrs Molly Meacher, formerly deputy chairman of the Police Complaints Authority and more recently by Mr Peter Hermitage and Mr John Saunders as Chief Executive.

 

The Act covers a wide section of the security industry and will be implemented in sections over the next three years, the first areas to receive legislation this year will be Wheel Clampers and Door Supervisors, followed by Manned Guarding mid 2005 which will incorporate Dog Handlers, Security Officers, Cash In Transit and Key holders, followed by Consultants and Private Investigators. For each section of the industry, the SIA must consider and implement the following: - The definition of each sector, the training required, vetting, licensing, approved provider scheme and enforcement.

 

With the assistance of government funding JSIC (Joint Security Industry Council) and the BSIA (British Security Industry Association) formed ‘Way Forward Groups' whose remit was to research and advise on the implementation of the Act for the various sectors. Whilst the results from these groups were received in raptures, it was noted that they had failed to cater for every sector of the industry.

 

County Guard Dogs UK based in Shrewsbury became extremely concerned following the realisation that the security dog handler had received only a mere mention within the proposals for the Act. This concern lead to Sandra Timmis Training Co-ordinator and Ian Green CEO meeting with Mike Welply CEO JSIC in Berkshire to discuss their concerns and offer their assistance and knowledge within this area of the industry. From that initial meeting the relationship between County Guard Dogs UK and JSIC grew to unprecedented levels with the Telford duo enlisted not only as committee members but also Regional Chairmen for JSIC covering Wales & West Midlands.

On the 23 rd October 2002 a new training organisation was launched with full sponsorship from County Guard Dogs UK, the NTIPDU (National Training Inspectorate for Professional Dog Users), whose five directors are Richard Timmis proprietor County Guard Dogs UK, Sandra Timmis, Ian R Green CEO County Guard Dogs UK,

John Humphris director John Humphris Ltd, (former Police Dog Handler and Home Office Accredited Instructor) Surrey, and Wayne Barker, Director Barkers K9 Ltd, all of who are trainers, instructors and handlers with a vast knowledge and expertise within this specialised sector of the industry. The five directors who between them have over 70 years experience of working with dogs, (both police and security), have, in the past experienced training methods, employed by so called ‘expert' trainers who rely on their previous talents without seeing the need to update and keep abreast of new innovations and methods.

 

Three of the main aims of the inspectorate are to promote professionalism within the industry, to formalise a suitable policy for training handlers and dogs and to promote equal opportunities throughout the profession.

 

The directors of the NTIPDU wholeheartedly supports and encourages the aims of the SIA and the new legislation, and has researched the training and standards which presently exist, reaching the conclusion that whilst being, in the minority reasonable, when viewed as a whole are insufficient.

 

The NTIPDU has developed a full and concise training structure ranging from Dogs and Handlers to Instructors, all the courses are designed to be attainable without jeopardising the standards. By using varied training techniques such as audible cassettes, videos and interactive CD-Rom, the speed and structure of the training can be tailored to the precise needs of the individual pupil. From the initial training, all Dog Handlers, Trainers, and indeed the Instructors receive continuation training conducted at their place of work and at accredited training centres, which not only maintains the standards but also improves on them whilst keeping each and every individual and company aware of any changes from both the NTIPDU and the SIA.

 

Through our close links with JSIC and the SIA, the NTIPDU is working in collaboration with other organisations within the manned guarding sector to develop a training criterion upon which the SIA can implement as being the basic standard required for employment within the canine sector of the industry. It is from this work that Sandra Timmis and Ian R Green now sit on the SIA Stakeholder Consultation Committee and through their own efforts provided the SIA with a platform to speak directly to the Telford business community in March 04.

 

The Inspectorate has devised a method of regulating dogs and handlers by using a unique system, which has not been used in the industry before. The Inspectorate calls for any potential security dog handler to have undergone vetting to BS 7858 and security officers basic job training to BS 7499 certificated by either IPSA (International Professional Security Association) or SITO (Security Industry Training Organisation) with a minimum of one months on site experience. Gone will be the days of untrained personnel and dogs guarding client' property. Historically, through lack of training and control, security patrol dogs have been looked upon as being a liability, by using the NTIPDU system, every client will be assured when employing a team trained by the Inspectorate they will be getting a highly qualified and professional unit, fully insured to carry out the clients' requirements.

 

The NTIPDU does not profess to know all the answers to all the problems besieging the industry at the present time, but are confident that by keeping an open mind, the new generation of handlers and trainers that pass through the NTIPDU system will possibly be the best in the country.