UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales

UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales Providing specialist search dog training to Search teams and individuals.

Following training in North Wales, UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales delivered training in Co. Down, Northern Irelan...
31/07/2026

Following training in North Wales, UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales delivered training in Co. Down, Northern Ireland, with NASDU members from K9 Search & Rescue NI.

The four-day delivery combined Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and continued professional development for Search and Rescue disciplines, including Live Victim, Mantrailing, Submerged Water, and HRD (Cadaver Land). As part of the training, Submerged Water dogs completed their annual reassessments, with successful completion confirming continued certification for a further 12 months.

Practical exercises and problem-solving scenarios reinforced dog and handler capabilities, with teams demonstrating their skills and readiness, whilst those progressing through their training continued to strengthen their ability.

The approach shown by each handler was a clear reflection of their commitment to maintaining recognised standards and their determination for continued development.

From South Wales to North Wales26th–28th June saw UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales continue training delivery, with...
29/07/2026

From South Wales to North Wales

26th–28th June saw UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales
continue training delivery, with three days at Llyn Crafnant.

Training covered multiple NASDU pathways, including Submerged Water, Cadaver Land, Mantrailing and Live Victim, with dog-and-handler teams working towards achieving the required standards while completing Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and Continued Professional Development (CPD) as part of their NASDU certification pathway.

Changing conditions on the water created realistic search scenarios, providing valuable opportunities for Submerged Water handlers to experience how wind direction and water movement continually influence the scent picture. Handlers were also able to observe how their dogs adjusted, responded and performed from the boat while working in variable conditions.

Complex trails were set for the Mantrailing teams, incorporating controlled contaminated start-offs, split trails and walking mispers, with Live Victim teams focused on communication and directional control, with dogs ranging across extensive search areas.

Each exercise, planned to reflect operational search conditions.

The training days highlighted the importance of adaptability, effective handling, communication and teamwork, with each exercise designed to support the ongoing development of operational competence.

A productive three days of realistic, operationally focused training, with committed handlers dedicated to maintaining professional standards and operational search capabilities.

UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales has spent recent weeks delivering training across a range of disciplines, supporti...
29/07/2026

UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales has spent recent weeks delivering training across a range of disciplines, supporting dog-and-handler teams in developing their skills while maintaining recognised professional standards through our awarding body, NASDU.

From 22nd to 24th June, we were in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, delivering a three-day NASDU mantrailing course for handlers at various stages of their operational training.

Training scenarios were tailored to each dog-and-handler team’s current level of experience, allowing handlers to refine existing skills, build confidence in their own and their dogs’ abilities, and work towards their individual objectives.

Temperatures remained high throughout the three days, with earlier starts introduced to support the welfare of the dogs and their handlers.

We welcomed new handlers onto the NASDU Register and look forward to supporting them as they continue to develop their skills, knowledge and experience.

The commitment, teamwork and mutual support demonstrated throughout the three days reinforced the importance of a positive training environment. It was encouraging to see all the handlers supporting one another, while developing their individual skills; with experience being shared amongst handlers rather than measured.

A further 5-day Level 3 HRD Land & Submerged Water training programme was completed between April 30th and May 4th, with...
08/05/2026

A further 5-day Level 3 HRD Land & Submerged Water training programme was completed between April 30th and May 4th, with UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales having now returned to the UK.

NASDU members from the Polish Fire Brigade and Search & Rescue Team Mazurska Grupa Poszukiwawczo-Ratownicza) completed further CT, & GLH development.

Training highlighted current progression levels and key areas for further development.

HRD Land: Focused on grid work with scenarios supporting layout understanding and improved outcomes for dog and handler teams.
HRD Water: Focused on scent movement in water and how environmental factors influence primary and final indications.

New attendees will now register with NASDU for Level 3, continuing GLH under UK-K9 supervision.

Well done to all handlers who completed HRD Land & Submerged Water pre-assessments and assessments as part of the mandatory programme.

We now await the outcome following submission of the formal EPA paperwork for handlers put forward for assessment.

As always, a huge thank you to Agata Stecewicz & Marcin Stecewicz for organising training areas & your continued commitment in ensuring everything ran smoothly throughout.

Our return in the coming months will continue with training, CPD, pre-assessments, assessments, and potential further collaboration with other professional organisations.

April 24th–26th saw UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales deliver a constructive few days of training out of Anglesey, ...
01/05/2026

April 24th–26th saw UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales deliver a constructive few days of training out of Anglesey, in the Malltraeth and Parys Mountain areas.

A total of 16 dogs and handlers attended from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, including both qualified and trainee teams. We also welcomed two new dog and handler teams who have now joined the NASDU official training programme.

Across the three days, the focus was on introductory training and continued professional development across all NASDU search and rescue pathways.

The varied training environments reinforced adaptability and presented both qualified and trainee dogs with realistic search scenarios, supporting the development and maintenance of operational drive and endurance.

For the new dogs, consistent positive reinforcement was used throughout to build confidence, motivation, and a clear understanding of the task through a simple, structured approach, helping to establish solid foundations.

A constructive and rewarding few days overall with a committed group of handlers and dogs throughout.

UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales concluded March with an intensive weekend of training in the Chirk area.Local coro...
30/03/2026

UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales concluded March with an intensive weekend of training in the Chirk area.

Local coroner’s officers joined the sessions, along with international guests from the Caribbean and Libya, all eager to engage in the training and explore future collaboration opportunities.
Additional observers attended to gain insight into our training methods and consider future programmes.

Friday morning saw HRD handlers attend Wrexham University, where we were grateful to hear talks delivered by a senior forensic lecturer as part of our ongoing partnership. The session focused on forensic taphonomy, exploring environmental factors that influence cadaver searches in both land and aquatic environments, including wildlife activity, vegetation, water currents, and water temperatures.

Teams split into groups for the afternoon, working on submerged water, live victim, man-trailing, and cadaver land exercises, focusing on objectives such as refinds, scent discrimination, and variable reward system exercises.

Thanks to our partners Triple R for their expert demonstrations of Side-Scan Sonar and AquaEye systems. Handlers and observers gained valuable insight into how this technology is utilised and supports search operations in aquatic environments.

Congratulations to one handler who successfully passed their NASDU Level 3 trailing assessment and is now a fully qualified team member - a result reflecting hard work and dedication.

Training came to a close on Sunday at Chirk Marina, with teams reinforcing techniques and achieving their objectives.

Huge thanks to Chirk Marina for generously allowing us full use of their facilities.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 K9 Search & Rescue NI 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 ...
16/03/2026

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 K9 Search & Rescue NI
𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮.

The weekend included continuation training for HRD, Land & Submerged Water, Live Victim Air - Scenting, and Mantrailing teams, supporting CPD and ensuring handlers remain effective, efficient, and fully compliant with certification standards.

HRD teams focused on refining accuracy and reinforcing effectiveness in complex environmental conditions, Air-Scenting directional-distance control, and Mantrailing varied trail start, scenarios, and interpreting negative outcomes.

K9 Search and Rescue Continues to Grow!

An additional four handlers have now joined this team, registering for NASDU Level 3, and progressing through their introductory training, with both handler and dog already demonstrating skill and potential for development.

The weekend was busy and productive, with valuable knowledge shared.

As always a pleasure supporting these committed handlers in their training.

Thanks to the team members for organising the training locations, and the volunteers for making these search scenarios as close to real-world conditions as possible.

𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗮𝘄 UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼.𝗪𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻/𝗪𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 (𝗗...
14/03/2026

𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗮𝘄 UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼.𝗪𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻/𝗪𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 (𝗗𝗪𝗠𝗥𝗧)

Training covered Live Victim (Air Scenting), HRD land and water, and Mantrailing.

HRD dog handlers completed their pre-assessment for grid searches, showing strong methodology, practical techniques, and a clear understanding of managing environmental distractions. Well done to all involved, now advancing towards their NASDU Level 3 dog and handler qualifications.

Handlers with Live Victim and Mantrailing dogs continued their CT hours, demonstrating excellent ranging, consistent focus, and problem-solving skills.

A productive few days in ideal conditions with professional, focused handlers.

Huge thanks to the team for top-notch training locations and the volunteer bodies who supported the scenarios.

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