BCI Academy

16/10/2026

HEATWAVE | PLEASE LOOK AFTER PEOPLE AND ANIMALS

With very hot weather affecting parts of South Africa, please take extra care of yourself, your family, your staff and the animals in your care. Heat related illness can become serious quickly, especially for young children, older people, people with existing health conditions and anyone working outdoors.

For people:

• Drink water regularly and rest in a cool or shaded place.
• Limit strenuous activity and time in direct sun during the hottest part of the day.
• Wear light clothing, a hat and sunscreen when outdoors.
• Check in on elderly neighbours, young children and anyone who may be alone or vulnerable.
• Never leave a child or person inside a parked vehicle.
• If you work outdoors, make sure staff have access to drinking water, shade and regular opportunities to cool down.

Watch for signs of heat illness, such as headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, heavy sweating or muscle cramps. Move the person to a cooler place, loosen tight clothing and help them cool down with a wet cloth or fan. Confusion, fainting, seizures or collapse are emergencies seek urgent medical help.

For animals:

• Provide clean, cool drinking water and deep shade throughout the day.
• Bring pets indoors, if possible, during the hottest hours.
• Never leave an animal in a parked car, even with the windows open.
• Walk and exercise dogs early in the morning or later in the evening. Avoid hot paving, which can burn their paws.
• Check kennels, runs and outdoor areas for shade and good airflow as the sun moves.

Excessive panting, restlessness, weakness, vomiting, wobbling or collapse can be signs that an animal is overheating. Move the animal to a cool place, begin cooling with cool water and contact a veterinarian urgently. Do not force water into an animal that is weak or unable to drink normally.

Please check on one another and keep an eye on the animals who depend on us. A little care and preparation can prevent a dangerous situation.

BCI SECURITY & BCI K9 ACADEMY

If you see someone or an animal in distress, please act and get help.

14/10/2026

🐾 BCI K9 ACADEMY | AGILITY TRAINING 🐾

Jump, run, climb and conquer! 🐕💨

Building confidence, improving coordination, and strengthening the bond between dogs and their handlers, one obstacle at a time! 🐾💪

Fast paws, focused minds, and tails in motion! 🐶🔥

In Canine We Trust.

13/10/2026

🐾 BCI K9 ACADEMY | OBEDIENCE TRAINING 🐾

Sit, stay, focus and repeat! 🐕💪

Building better manners, stronger bonds, and confident dogs one paw at a time! 🐾

Because training is more than commands, it’s teamwork! 🐶❤️

In Canine We Trust.

04/10/2026

A Proud Moment for BCI at the SAWTDA Nationals 🏅🐾

BCI Security and BCI Academy were honoured to host the South African Working Trials Dog Association (SAWTDA) Nationals at BCI Academy.

One of the evening’s special moments was seeing Corinda Loots, Director of BCI Security, owner of BCI Academy and qualified K9 instructor, present medals to every competitor. Each medal recognised the effort, discipline and partnership behind that team’s performance. Congratulations to all the handlers and their dogs you earned your moment!

For Corinda, this was more than a presentation. It brought together a lifetime of love for dogs and a career shaped by that passion. From childhood, she was the one who wanted to bring every dog home! 😂 When she entered the security industry, she carried that dream with her and worked towards establishing a K9 Unit.

Over the years, Corinda has worked closely with the SPCA, the NSPCA, SAPS K9 and other law-enforcement K9 units. She is a strong voice for animals and serves on the EXCO of RSA K9. That same commitment is at the heart of BCI Academy, where Corinda and her team train security companies and private dog owners.

Corinda says:

“The passion and bond my students have with their furry kids is absolutely amazing. Getting a dog is a lifetime commitment. A dog becomes part of your lifestyle, your everyday routine, your commitment and your responsibility.”

A trained dog in a movie may make it look effortless. Behind that performance are hours of consistent training, patience and care. Before bringing a dog home, ask yourself honestly: do you have the time and commitment to meet their needs every day?

A dog is not a part time responsibility. If you can’t make time to train, care for and love them unconditionally, don’t get a dog.

A heartfelt thank you to SAWTDA, Peter September, his amazing team and all the members for making us part of such a memorable event. Thank you, too, for the beautiful framed gift that will have a special place at our Academy. We are truly proud and grateful.

In Canine We Trust. 🐾

02/10/2026

02/10/2026

01/10/2026

🐾 THE WAIT IS ALMOST OVER! 🐾

The SAWTDA Nationals 2026 are coming to BCI Academy, Kromdraai on 2 & 3 October! 🇿🇦🏆

Get ready for two action packed days of skill, teamwork, precision and incredible dogs as our top competitors go head to head for National glory! 🔥🐕‍🦺

Bring your support, bring your energy, and get ready to WATCH THE BEST. WORK THE BEST. BE THE BEST! 🐾💪

📍 BCI Academy, Kromdraai
📅 2–3 October 2026

LET THE NATIONALS BEGIN! 🇿🇦🏆🐾

29/09/2026

The Amazing Bond Between a Person and Their Dog

Brad Pitt’s new movie, Heart of the Beast, is a powerful reminder of the loyalty, courage and companionship that can exist between a person and a dog. The connection on screen is moving, and it’s easy to come away wanting to experience that special bond for yourself.

But movies show us the beautiful moments. They don’t always show the hours of preparation, training and teamwork behind them. Odin, the dog in the film, is portrayed by four dogs, with trained handlers supporting their work.

A dog is not a movie prop or an accessory. Bringing one home is a long term commitment. Dogs need daily care, patience, exercise, guidance and consistent training. That responsibility continues when you’re tired after work, when the weather is unpleasant and when you’re planning a holiday. Their safety and care still have to come first.

My concern is that a wonderful movie may inspire people to buy a dog without thinking through what daily life with that dog really involves. Please take time to learn about the breed, its needs and the commitment involved before making that decision. Consider adoption, and speak to a responsible trainer or rescue organisation if you need guidance.

Enjoy the movie and the special bond it portrays. Just remember: the most beautiful relationship with a dog is built over time, through patience, care and commitment long after the cameras stop rolling.

25/09/2026

🐾 TRAIN. PLAY. LEARN. GROW. 🐾

At BCI K9 Academy, our Saturday classes are about more than just teaching commands we’re building confident, obedient and well-socialised dogs!

🎯 OBEDIENCE
Building focus, discipline and a strong connection between you and your dog.

🏃‍♂️ AGILITY
Turning energy into something productive while building confidence, coordination and teamwork.

🐕 SOCIALISING
Learning how to behave calmly and confidently around other dogs, people and new environments.

From puppies taking their first steps to our adult dogs sharpening their skills every dog has something new to learn! 🐾

Training with purpose. Excellence with bite.
BCI K9 Academy
📍 Kromdraai

23/09/2026

🐾 A WORKING K9 NEEDS MORE THAN A SMALL KENNEL

A kennel is an important place where a working K9 can eat, rest and sleep safely. However, no dog, especially an active working K9, should spend the entire day confined to a small kennel.

Working K9s are intelligent, energetic animals that require movement, stimulation and a healthy change of environment. Being confined for too long can cause frustration, boredom, excessive barking, destructive behaviour, stiffness, loss of fitness and even emotional stress.

What is a run camp?

A run camp is a larger, securely fenced area where a K9 can move freely, stretch its legs, explore, relax and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. It is not necessarily a training area or a place where the dog must work. It gives the K9 safe freedom away from the limitations of its kennel.

Why should K9s be rotated between their kennels and run camps?

Regular rotation gives every dog an opportunity to:

🐾 Walk, run and stretch naturally
🐾 Maintain healthy muscles, joints and fitness
🐾 Release built up energy and frustration
🐾 Enjoy mental stimulation and a change of surroundings
🐾 Display natural behaviours such as sniffing and exploring
🐾 Return to the kennel calmer and more relaxed
🐾 Develop into a more balanced and focused working K9

Dogs should be changed over according to a proper daily schedule so that every K9 receives fair and safe time in a run camp. The camps must provide secure fencing, shade, clean water and protection from extreme weather. They must also be checked and cleaned regularly.

K9s that do not safely socialise with one another should use the camps individually. Gates must always be secured, and dogs must be supervised appropriately. Strenuous activity should never take place immediately before or after feeding.

A kennel should be a K9’s safe resting place, not a place where it spends its entire life.

A physically healthy and mentally fulfilled K9 is happier, more focused and better prepared to perform its duties. Proper kennel management is not simply about keeping dogs contained. It is about caring for the working partners who depend entirely on us for their health, safety and quality of life.

They work for us. They protect us. They deserve responsible care.

BCI K9 ACADEMY
In Canine We Trust