Work Based Learning role description:
The Police Dog Handler/Trainer
Within the Police service dog handlers are, first and foremost, Police Officers that must have sound policing skills.
Prior to becoming a police dog handler, an officer has to provide evidence that they
are of a high calibre within the policing sphere, having spent a period of time in
normal policing duties out on the ‘beat’ demonstrating their skills and abilities
across the spectrum of policing in today’s modern society. Once they have established
themselves as a good all-
On selection the new handler / applicant has to go through a variety of tests to establish if they have the qualities, dedication and commitment to become a dog handler. If they are physically fit, mentally attuned to the role, and interested in the canine species, they do not necessarily have to have owned a dog previously or own a dog at the time of applying. They must be able to demonstrate, however, that they are not fearful of dogs and be competent of being around dogs in general and police dogs in particular. They must not be afraid to be bitten by a police dog (with the necessary safety equipment being worn), be pursued by a police dog or of being confronted with aggression from both dog and human.
In order to become a handler the officer’s suitability is assessed under the National Integrated Competency framework – dog handlers from the skills for justice.
Once selected the officer is then introduced to the world of the police canine. The welfare of the dog allocated to the handler is paramount and due consideration is given to the environment in which the dog is housed with the handler.
In some instances handlers (usually experienced dog handlers) are allocated puppies to bring on and mentor whilst in other cases handlers are allocated dogs that have either been brought on through a puppy breeding programme or have been acquired, assessed and tested to perform the duties of Police dog work. Each dog and handler team are trained in accordance with the guidelines as laid down by The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland) (ACPOS) Police dogs working group.
This group is responsible for promoting best practice and setting of standards in relation to all these matters.
Reflective Learning
As a Dog Trainer we are constantly evaluating what we are doing when we are doing it.
We start training an exercise and modify what we are doing depending upon the response we get from the dog we are training. Sometimes we change our position, the dog’s position, the motivating force (us, toy, food etc.,) or the equipment we use. As a dog trainer we just call that dog training, however, in the work based learning arena it’s called being a “reflective practitioner”.
It is imperative that Dog Trainers realise that they are reflecting back; not only with the dog they have in front of them but of past cases and dogs they’ve worked with. A Dog Trainer cannot progress without this aspect of experiential learning, it would be impossible as no two dogs are the same and no two will react in the same manner.
Although we do it automatically, the importance of reflection in learning at work
and awareness of the process, needs to be acknowledged for an individual to be able
to carry out any kind of self-
Technical and textbook knowledge, though important, is insufficient to prepare individuals
to be practising professionals. Knowing how or “knowing-
Knowing-
When something untoward does happen it is likely to reflect on what’s going on in
the midst of the activity itself. It is a consequence of this process that is known
as “reflection-
To be able to put into practice these reflective skills, both during and after the action, is what makes you a truly reflective practitioner.
Donald Schon (1983, 1987)
Comparative Assessment elements:
In general an Animal Behaviour Degree will average 1800 hrs study time on wild animals and some domestic species. Dog specific theory is generally taught at less than 5% of the entire degree and rarely by a dog expert but by a teacher who has no practical experience. Animal behaviour degrees are not an expertise level in dog behaviour, training, theory or otherwise.
All vocational learning in canine work-
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Minimum vocational training requirements |
Timescale |
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The police dog handler will gain experience of being able to demonstrate that they can train a dog to the required minimum standard (under the guidance of Police dog training instructors who have to be accredited by ACPO) for the specific role that they have been selected for. There are numerous different specialised fields in police dog work. Police dogs fall into 2 broad categories, General Purpose Police Dogs of which the primary role is that of an operational Police dog referred to as General Patrol dog, and Specialist Dogs. It is feasible to dual train Police dogs in some of the specialist fields. Once the
standard basic level has been achieved and the handler has been assessed and licensed
to work the dog then they have to be annually re- | |
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Theory / academic knowledge |
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Policing skills to become a regular Police officer |
2 years probationary period |
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General Police dog training: novice handlers to achieve ‘standard’ level |
Initial course |
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Experienced handlers with ‘run on’ dogs |
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Experienced handlers re- |
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Specialist Police dog training |
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Explosive search dogs |
Initial course |
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Person scanning (passive) Explosives Dogs |
Initial course |
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Pro- |
Initial course |
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Person Scanning (passive) Drugs dog |
Initial course |
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Pro- |
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Person Scanning (passive) Drugs dog/ Firearms /Currency detection dogs |
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Cadaver dog (Human Remains detection dog) |
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CSI (Crime scene Investigation detection dog) |
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SAM dog (Scent Article Method dog) |
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Firearms support dogs |
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Search and rescue dogs |
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ACPO Instructors Course General Purpose Dogs |
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ACPO Instructors Course Explosive Search Module |
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ACPO Instructors Course Drugs Search Module |
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Practical experience / courses attended |
Timescale |
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General Police dog training novice handlers to achieve ‘standard’ level Initial course |
Normally 13 weeks' duration for novice handlers (can be extended) |
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Experienced handlers with ‘run on’ dogs |
8 weeks (can be extended) |
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Experienced handlers re- |
2 weeks (can be extended) |
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Specialist Police dog training |
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Explosive search dogs initial course |
Course lengths can be varied in accordance with guidance within the ACPO Explosives search dog manual |
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Person scanning (passive) Explosives Dogs Initial course |
8 weeks basic |
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Pro- |
6 weeks basic |
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Person Scanning (passive) Drugs dog initial course |
8 weeks basic |
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Pro- |
8 weeks basic |
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Person Scanning (passive) Drugs dog/ Firearms /Currency detection dogs |
8 weeks basic |
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Cadaver dog (Human Remains detection dog) |
Varied basic course |
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CSI (Crime scene Investigation detection dog) |
Varied basic course |
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SAM dog (Scent Article Method dog) |
Varied basic course |
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Firearms support dogs |
Varied basic course |
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Search and rescue dogs |
Varied basic course |
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ACPO Instructors Course General Purpose Dogs |
4 weeks |
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ACPO Instructors Course Explosive Search Module |
4 weeks |
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ACPO Instructors Course Drugs Search Module |
3 weeks |
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Classroom skills and presentation skills (prerequisite before attending Instructors modules) |
2 weeks |
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Mentored learning |
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Observation of / attending training / classes Instructed learning one to one / group dependant on progress of handler and dog |
As above |
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Overview of minimum skills and experience required: | ||
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Theoretical |
Practical |
Operational |
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The Police dog handler has to learn a huge array of knowledge during an initial basic courses that they attend in order to not only understand how to train and work a dog, but also in its specialist field, in the use of the dog in its chosen role, the law and legalities of working Police dogs in the public domain. Human Rights Standard operating procedures Health and Safety legislation Risk assessments Diversity issues Cultural issues Policing skills Law and legislation Conflict management Powers and polices use of dogs Operational deployment of dogs Use of force General principles of training of Police dogs Animal welfare Obedience Theory of scent Tracking Searching with dogs Bite work Health of dogs Kennel management Zoonosis Dangerous dogs Victim recovery |
The police dog handler has to be able to demonstrate that they, and the dog, have the necessary practical skills to work in many varied situations and circumstances within the Public domain. Minimum Standard level working to advanced level within 1 year Using all of their learnt Policing skills to quickly decide on the appropriate course of action needed to resolve the given situation or how best to use the resources available to them and capabilities of their dog. In general terms, the General patrol Police dog is used for tracking offenders from crime scenes, be it in the city, urban or rural having to deal with varied terrains, searching buildings and open spaces, dealing with disorder situations, violent situations and keeping order in potential volatile circumstances, being able to patrol and work the dogs in normal environments, in the presence of members of the public |
Spatial awareness when training Awareness of other dogs, handlers or objects in the area whilst working with a dog so as not to stress the dog by banging into things or moving across the path of another dog. Different types of environments in which dogs have to work, health and safety issues, risk assessments, appropriate training equipment, right protection for helpers, bite sleeves, covert sleeves, safety equipment Environmental awareness when training A high awareness of events happening during training is crucial, for example knowing who is coming into the area time of day / night conditions that the dog needs to work in, pedestrian and vehicle movements. Weather conditions, varying terrains and within, what types of environment wind / rain / heat / temperature / ice snow. Terrain being used / time factors |
Dog-
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Dog-
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Dog-
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Indicators of wellness Indicators of stress Body language Facial expression Visual signals How dogs learn Conditioning and counter- What they are How they relate to dog training Corrections House training Crate Training Mouthing Play fighting Dominance and submission Eating faeces Destructive behaviour Car sickness Barking Introduction to an established dog Basic dog care and management Vaccinations Nutrition Grooming and nail care Parasites Exercise requirements Basic anatomy and physiology Basic first aid General Patrol Dogs Bite work Test of courage / chase and detain / standoff / stick attack / gun attack / handler attack Play / prey / defence drives in the dog Basic Dog Training Sit Down Recall Stand Walking on a loose lead Motivation and control Person search and indication Heeling on / off lead Article indication non contact Stop (either stand, down, sit) Quarter and search Send away and re- Scent discrimination Training more than one dog Motivating the unmotivated Instilling self control in the uncontrolled The dog and the law Aggression in the dog Towards other dogs Towards people Over food Towards the vet With toys Breed characteristics and temperaments Equipment Fitting and use of leads harnesses collars and specialist equipment Agility Use of basic agility equipment Hurdle, long jump, 6’ scale Practical agility Tracking human scent / disturbance Specialist dogs Drugs / paper money / firearms & shells / component parts of / firearm oils & fired cartridges Explosives varied Body parts Body fluids / blood Scent discrimination / articles / clothing Personal scent |
Indicators of wellness Indicators of stress Body language Facial expression Visual signals Socialisation and Habituation Touch desensitisation How to motivate Technical dog training skills Advanced dog training skills Basic dog care and management Equipment usage Collars, leads and harnesses, specialist equipment, head cameras Training tools, eg., clicker Aversive conditioning Appropriate use of collars Delivery of rewards, timing Consistency of voice and tone delivery Different substances / safety and control of samples / security and risks involved Behaviours moderating adviceHouse training Crate / cage / pen Training Mouthing Play fighting Dominance and submission Submissive urination Car sickness Barking Destructive Behaviour Introduction to an established dog Introduction to other pets Introduction to other animals Dealing with Aggression in the dog Breed characteristics and temperaments Understanding ‘desired’ and ‘undesired’ Displayed behaviours exhibited Handler behavioural skills positives and negatives effects on the dog Play / prey / defence drives and switching between |
Continuity When training you need to be aware of change as and when it happens and be able to deal with it, for example if a dog is brought for training session on a flat collar with training lead and on the next on a check chain and lead. Environmental changes / distractions Change of environment too soon Conditioning to same environments Changing and testing dogs’ capabilities in varied working conditions. |
Ancillary Work Based Learning Skills
As well as being an established Police Dog Handler / Trainer, the candidate may also have a plethora of other dog training skills, attended many courses and achieved many awards on a personal basis with their own dogs.
They may have qualifications outside of the dog training arena that contribute to their competence, confidence and skill as a Police Dog Handler / Trainer and, under the Work Based Learning ethos, these should be acknowledged and recognised as achievements to date within the profession.
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Accomplishments and Qualifications | |
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Training course providers |
Personal (Work Based) Achievements |
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Cambridge Institute for Dog Behaviour & Training Animal Care College Guide dog training National Association of Security Dog Users Home Office police dog training The British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers Other courses are also available |
KC Competition obedience KC Beginner KC Novice KC A B C comp- KC Agility KC Working Trials UD/UDX CD/CDX WD/WDX KC Field Trials KC Bloodhound Trials KC Herding Tests Search & Rescue Cert KC Accredited Instructor |
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The Kennel Club (KC) standards are some of the best in the world and to compete and win is an acknowledgement comparable with other high standards of training knowledge as in the horse world and international competitive events. | |
