Your security practice will take on a new level with the addition of a security dog, adding an element of visibility to your business. As a result of their abilities to detect threats, security dogs supplement the skills of security officers, providing a faster response rate and greater levels of threat detection.
There are several advantages to hiring a security guard and dog, including their enhanced natural abilities, which are perfect for security deployment. Dogs are highly sensitive to sounds and can detect them much faster than humans can. As they can hear sounds four times further than humans and at a higher frequency than humans, they can alert guards to any issues they may not already know about.
The use of highly trained security dogs in a variety of scenarios provides enhanced security solutions that are efficient and cost-effective. Dog units offer one-off or long-term solutions and are prepared to work with businesses of all sizes.
Whether there is a need to increase security at your workplace, or you have experienced past incidents of threats to your premises or staff, hiring a dog handler can be one of the most effective risk deterrents.
Why Choose SPS Security for your dog security requirements?
Since we are an established security solutions company, we place a great deal of emphasis on our strong relationships with customers. As a result, our clients receive security services that are of high quality and cost-effective, as well as officers who have a proven record of integrity and professionalism.
- Dogs can sense intruders from a distance, even if they are hiding out of sight
- Trained security dogs will deter criminals from targeting your site
- Offers extra security for staff
- All dog handlers and dogs are trained and certified by NASDU and SIA Licensed.
Our SIA licensed guards are fully trained to NASDU standards and have an accredited serviced vehicle and trained security dog too.
Our clients mainly choose to utilise our dog security services in situations where a large area of land needs to be patrolled and the full perimeter of the site needs to be checked. These areas can include:
Corporate offices: Where issues cannot be resolved solely by a static guards
Events: Where public area needs to be controlled
Unoccupied land: Where intruders may have taken occupancy
Residential: Where risks of theft
High-crime areas: Where the added threat of a security dog is required
Drug/Alcohol detection: Where expert dog senses and handler experience is needed
Large sites: Where the full perimeter needs to be covered
- Due to a dog’s heightened senses, they can detect hidden intruders from 300m.
- The dog and handler offer a considerable deterrent in comparison to a single static guard.
- It is known across the industry that one dog team can provide the same or more security level of 3 static guards, making them highly cost-effective.
- A dog lowers the risk to human life. Although an intruder rarely engages the dog, it can protect itself and its handler.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Guard Dogs Act 1975:
Requires that a dog should be under the control of a person capable to always control the dog. To evidence this, the handler should have been trained to BS8517-1 requirements.
BS 8517-1, Code of practice for the use of general security dogs, covers all aspects concerning the general welfare of the dog, including kennelling and veterinary guidance. Recommendations in the standard take into account recent changes in dog breeds and the requirement for compulsory micro-chipping in security dogs. The need for dog handlers to obtain specific insurance and equipment – including the use of correction collars – are also covered in the standard.
To summarise on a practical level, the following points should be adhered to when considering the employment of a Security Dog Team:
- Recognised BS8517 training qualifications for the Team. I.e. NASDU Level 2 for Handler and NASDU Level 2 for Handler and Dog (also known as the “team certificate”).
- A record of monthly training, with quarterly NASDU assessments and annual certification.
- Current veterinary records.
NASDU | National Association of Security Dog Users.
SPS Security are an Associate Member of the National Association of Security Dog Users (NASDU). This association has adopted the BS 8517-1 as the Code of Practice and standard for their approved training courses. It should be noted NASDU is formally recognised by the SIA.
The NASDU (Level 2) dog handler course covers the basic skills and knowledge required to work as a general-purpose Security Dog Handler. During the course you will learn how to be a professional dog handler and how to look after, guide and use the skills of a trained dog the Dog Handler Training Course.
Additional considerations would include amending Assignment Instructions to address the welfare standards for the dog on site (e.g. surfaces that may be harmful). Detailed assessments and instructions are provided to ensure the dog does not pose a danger to anyone or the site.
There is more detailed, in-depth information available in the NASDU Associate Company Member publication
