Good morning from the not-so-five-star Alfred's Technologies Ltd in Cheddar! 🍳 I’m here for another HME in bulk day with a group of corporate clients, and of course, I’ve got my trusty training partner, Bandit, by my side. We’re cooking bacon (because who doesn’t love a good bacon sizzle to start the day?) and brewing coffee in the campervan, because, let’s face it, this is luxury—just minus the fancy linens. 🛋
It’s not the Hilton. It’s not the Marriott. It’s definitely not Five Star. But hey, nothing beats waking up to the smell of crispy bacon and the company of my best mate, Bandit. 🐾
Some mornings, the best five-star service is a bacon roll and a side of training. 🌟
#NotTheHilton #CampervanLife #BaconAndBandit #TrainingInTheField"
Explosive Detection Dog Training – HME & BULK Training Day.
Yesterday, 13th February 2025, I hosted and ran a HME and BULK explosive training day for freelance independent EDD handlers. This event was originally organised last year and was fully booked well in advance.
We had 12 teams in total, with a 4:1 handler-to-instructor ratio, ensuring each of the three instructors—myself, Lee Weaver, and Bambi Wilding—worked with four teams each. This structure follows NASDU's Trainer Guide to Perfect Practice, ensuring handlers and dogs receive the highest standard of training.
Throughout the day, teams worked on 17 hides, covering both HME and BULK commercial & military explosives—a unique and essential opportunity. Most of us typically train on small quantities, but exposure to BULK (larger quantities) is critical for both dogs and handlers.
Additionally, training on specific products helps bridge the gaps in HME detection. However, given that HMEs are not licensable, the only way to train on real quantities of HMEs is at a facility such as Alford’s Technologies Ltd. This is the only way to properly train and test both dogs and handlers on real-world target scents.
A key element of the day was training with Alford’s Technologies Ltd, a company I’ve worked with for 15 years on various projects. The ability to train on real kit in this context is invaluable—this type of opportunity should not be missed.
More Than Just Dog Work – Essential Handler Education
At the end of the day, once all hides are recovered, we incorporate an Explosive Awareness Brief, which is absolutely essential for handler education and continuous professional development—something I am a huge advocate of.
There’s far more to this job than working a dog. As part of the brief, one of Alford’s Technologies Ltd’s subject matter experts (SMEs) provides a detailed, relaxed session covering:
✔️ Each target scent we’ve trained on, with handlers getting to see, handle, a
🐾 NASDU General Purpose Patrol Dog Assessments Completed Today! 🐾
Today, I completed two General Purpose Patrol Dog Assessments—one annual and one quarterly. Both dogs and handlers performed brilliantly as we covered the comprehensive range of skills required for these assessments.
Assessment Highlights:
Obedience (including heel work, sit, down, stay, emergency stop, and recall)
Long-line stay (2 minutes)
Patrol exercises: pick-up & indication, intruder search, arrest, handler protection, escort, and questioning
Inspection & grooming
Training & veterinary records review
Vehicle inspection
Muzzle fitting
Live scenarios: differentiating between authorised and non-authorised personnel
We also conducted a knowledge check based on the NASDU manual and British Standards to ensure compliance.
The assessments took place at a warehouse distribution centre in Cwmbran, South Wales, just outside Cardiff. A huge thank you to Heather at SOPPS for arranging access to this fantastic facility, perfect for realistic training and assessments.
Throughout the day, we tested the handlers' skills under pressure, including two emergency first aid scenarios. Both teams demonstrated outstanding standards.
The handlers involved were:
👮 Steve Price with Murphy (Malinois)
👮 Piotr Slomka with Pepe (German Shepherd)
I've put together a short video showcasing key moments from the assessments—check it out!
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Interested in NASDU GP Assessments or Continuation Training?
If you’d like to attend NASDU General Purpose Patrol Dog Assessments or Continuation Training (CT) in Cardiff, South Wales, I have access to several fantastic live venues.
I don’t run fixed dates—instead, I manage training through a WhatsApp group. When handlers need an assessment or want to book training days, they post in the group to check my availability. This also gives others the chance to join in, making the sessions more affordable.
I keep sessions small and focused with a maximum o
A Weekend of Assessments for Troy & Hannah – Big News!
This weekend, we had a series of assessments under NASDU Trainer/Assessor Lee Weaver and I’d like to thank Lee for his time and patience. Conditions were tough—cold, windy… actually, very cold and very windy!
Despite that, we covered a lot:
✅ Scent ID testing
✅ Internal building search
✅ Route search
✅ Open area search
✅ Vehicle search (HGVs) – on-leash (vehicle checkpoint scenario) & off-leash (car park scenario)
✅ Scenario-based
✅ Actions on a find & protocol testing
✅ Extended searches (35–45 mins)
It was a hugely positive weekend, and I’m absolutely delighted to announce that Hannah and Troy have passed their RETEAM assessment! 🎉🐕💪
A huge well done to them both! 🎊 It’s been a long journey, with training spread between myself, Hannah, and another trainer closer to home since September 2024. That slower, structured approach has allowed Troy to develop naturally, keeping costs manageable while ensuring real-world, high-quality training.
One of the unique things about my training is the access I have to some of the best live venues here in South Wales, where we train in real, active environments. Add in the use of live, licensed explosives, and it’s a win-win for both handler and dog.
I know a lot of people have been following their progress—so please join me in congratulating Hannah and Troy in the comments! 👏🐕💥
If you're thinking of bringing on a second dog and want one-to-one training with a flexible approach, along with real-world, professional support, get in touch!
Troy – Day 7 at Bridgend College
Wanted to share this from yesterday’s training session at Bridgend College, Pencoed Campus—and I have to say, Troy just keeps smashing it.
For this session, I wanted to introduce more distractions, so we set up a search around people in a busy environment. The concourse was filled with students and tutors walking around, chatting, sitting down, working, and eating—plenty of movement and distractions.
The handler broke the search down into two separate searches, with a total of two hides. It was quite a bit of ground to cover—a large search area—but Hannah did extremely well.
Hannah handled him extremely well, particularly with all the people around wanting to chat and say hello to Troy. She took it all in her stride and kept everything running smoothly.
#NASDU #NASDUTrainer #DetectionDog #SearchDog #K9Training #WorkingDog
Troy – Final Stint Before Weekend Assessments
I’ve probably been a little guilty of expecting too much from Troy too quickly. He’s been making such great progress that I pushed ahead, and yesterday afternoon, I could see that I needed to take a step back with his route searches. We did that yesterday and again this morning—and it’s paid off. Have a look at this clip. I haven’t even watched it yet, just filmed and posted, but this little superstar is coming along brilliantly.
For context, Troy’s handler, Hannah, is not new to this. She did her initial handler training with me back in 2021 and has been working operationally as an explosives search dog handler ever since. She’s completed top-up training in 2022, kept up to date with her monthly assessments using various trainers, and passed her annual assessments. She’s also done a pyro passive detection dog handler’s course in 2023, where she worked alongside a green dog. So, while we’re refreshing protocols and discussing operational scenarios, I don’t need to go over the basics—this is all about the dog.
This is also one-to-one training, meaning we can really focus and get some serious work in. Troy first came to me last September as green-green, and he impressed me even then. Since then, Hannah has continued his training herself, using properly impregnated Getxent tubes from Gradko International supplied by @alfordsTechnologies and working with a NASDU trainer closer to home. She’s also been taking him out on environmentals, accompanying her and Duke, her operational dog, on jobs—not to work, but to experience the environment, travel in the van, and do bits of training where appropriate.
It might seem short and intense from my side, as I’ve only worked with him during two nine day training stints, but in reality, this has been a long-term, structured development process spread over months. The proof is in the pudding.
Now we’re heading into the final stint before his independ
Best Job in the World? I Think So!
Who gets to go to work every day with their best mate? I do! And honestly, I can’t think of a better way to spend my time. Training, training, training with #BanditTheBombDog, gearing up for something important coming up the week after next.
Today was all about refreshers—off-leash vehicle car park scenarios, a rural route search, and a semi-rural urban route search. Bandit, as always, was loving life, tail wagging, nose working, and making me look good.
I never take this for granted—getting to work with my own dog, training together, playing the game, and doing what we both love. I’ve got the best job in the world, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
#NASDU #NASDUTrainer #NASDUTraining #NASDUCourses #DetectionDog #SearchDog #BombDog #EDD
Troy’s Training Diaries: Day 6 – The Natural
Let’s be clear—this is day six of his current training stint, not some six-day wonder course. But if you saw him work today, you’d be forgiven for thinking he’s been at this for years!
We kicked off with an off-leash car park vehicle search, and Troy took to it like a duck to water. No hesitation, no second-guessing—just straight in, nose down, job done. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he had previous training. But nope, he’s just a natural.
Next up, a rural route search. Needed to take a little step back before pushing forward, but that’s all part of the process. Two separate routes later, we finished off with a semi-urban rural route—because why not keep him on his toes?
Safe to say, Troy’s smashing it. He’s not just doing okay—he’s doing way more than okay. This lad’s got something special.
#TroyTheNatural #DetectionDog #WorkingDogs #K9Training #SearchAndSniff #BusyBoy
**"Day 5 of Troy’s training on this stint, and he’s absolutely smashing it! 🔥🐕 This search at the Royal British Legion Rumney #cardiff is the same one Bandit tackled earlier—so here’s an interesting comparison.
For those new to Troy, he’s a young, high-drive search dog in training, and over the last few months, he’s been making huge progress. Bandit, on the other hand, has been at this for years, so it’s great to see how a seasoned pro and a developing dog approach the same challenge.
This is just one of many searches Troy completed today, and what can I say? Super progress! Onwards and upwards! 💪
How do you think Troy is doing compared to Bandit? Let’s hear it!"**
**"Training never stops! 🐕💨 Bandit might be approaching nine years old, but when it comes to search work, experience counts for a lot. While fitness naturally changes with age, his brain and nose are still as sharp as ever.
Here he is searching at the Royal British Legion Rumney in Cardiff, tackling a tricky hide with scent falling from height. It’s all about problem-solving and reading the search area, and Bandit’s still got it! With something important coming up in the next couple of weeks, we’re making sure both fitness and focus are on point. Hard work now = results later!
But it raises the question… how old is too old? And just to be clear—I’m talking about the dogs here, not the handlers! 😉"**
**"Emergency surgery in progress! 🏥🧸 Bandit ##banditthebombdog watching anxiously as Grandma stitched up his beloved Monkey after a ‘mysterious accident’ (definitely not Bandit’s fault). But as soon as Monkey was ‘saved’… well, let’s just say the patient didn’t survive the recovery phase. 😆💀
Anyone else’s dog ‘love’ their toys a little too much? What’s your dog’s favourite toy?"**
The Wiggles
Bandit The Bomb Dog: Foyer Boss
Another day, another sniffing mission for #BanditTheBombDog! Yesterday, we hit up Cardiff Utility Arena for a little training session, and as always, Bandit was absolutely loving life. Tail going like a windscreen wiper on full blast, nose in gear, and all business (well, business and wiggles).
We worked the entrance points, then straight into the foyer where he locked onto a hide placement under a mat—textbook Bandit. No drama, no hesitation, just a solid “Oi, hooman, it’s here!” moment. At this point, I’m mostly there just to put on his search harness and admire the show.
The best thing? He loves it. Not just the search. Not just the reward at the end. He loves playing the game together—me and him, locked in, working as a team. It’s not a job to him, it’s a full-on fun adventure.
Good boy, Bandit. Same again today?
#DetectionDog #WorkingDogs #ExplosivesDetection #DogTraining #SearchAndSniff
*NASDU Trainer, K9 Assessor, Consultant, Advisor* I'm looking to expand on existing and explore new opportunities both in the UK and abroad.
