Specialist Dog Training by The Way of the Dog

Having served as an operational Service Police Dog Handler, Kennel Manager, and Senior Training Instructor on a variety of Service Police Dog Sections during his 25 years in the Royal Air Force Police, Shaun Hesmondhalgh is able to deliver many forms of specialist dog training. These include, but are not restricted to, disciplines such as;

• Personal Protection
• Patrol & Guarding
• Open Area Searching
• Building Searches
• Operational Tracking
• Scent Detection
• Article Searching

In addition to routinely training dogs for counter terrorist and counter insurgency activities Shaun trained and prepared dog teams for national dog trials successfully winning awards in all disciplines including being presented with the prestigious title of the Provost Marshal’s (RAF) Best Police Dog Section.

Shaun spent a brief period as an approved assessor with the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers (BIPDT) Security Division and was authorised to train and assess dogs for the Security Dog Handlers Accreditation at Level 1 and Level 2. For personal reasons Shaun chose not to continue his role within the Security Division but shares this information purely to demonstrate previous experience.  For now Shaun chooses to train and prepare dogs for assessment independently of organisations that offer security dog accreditation. Notwithstanding, Shaun is extremely experienced and highly capable; possessing the skills and competencies to prepare dogs for assessment with external agencies and awarding bodies.

In respect of delivering any form of personal protection training suitability interviews are compulsory and an assessment of a dogs capability will be required. Despite breeding not all dogs are emotionally equipped to engage in such work and therefore it is paramount that a dog’s confidence is assessed prior to engaging in any form of protection work that is either connected to professional employment, sports, or working trials. Handlers and their dogs will be required to engage in several weeks/months of control related training before being taught any protection related work of any kind.

Dog owners seeking in any form of training that involves bite work will be required to demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Dogs will also need to be suitability insured.

For more information and a confidential discussion on specialist training for individuals and businesses, please contact us