Our Courses

Our courses

Professional BASDU training

Every course is delivered by experienced trainers, assessed by qualified assessors and quality-assured by IQAs. Certificates can be verified online in seconds.

Level 2

BASDU L2 General Purpose Security Dog Handler

The core BASDU course for handlers working with a general purpose security dog. Covers safe handling, dog control, patrol and search techniques, legislation and canine welfare.

Duration: 6 days · 60 guided learning hours (GLH)

Entry requirements:
  • A valid SIA licence
  • An Emergency First Aid for Dogs certificate
  • Proof of identity
  • Two proofs of address
  • Proof of dog ownership
  • Proof of the dog's up-to-date vaccinations
  • English at Level 1, or equivalent
BASDU Level 2 - Learn Online Course details →
Level 3

BASDU L3 Trainer Course

For experienced handlers ready to train others. Develops the skills to plan, deliver and assess the full BASDU L2 course, including one week shadowing an expert BASDU trainer.

Duration: 6 weeks

Entry requirements:
  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET), or equivalent
  • BASDU L2 qualification, or equivalent training
  • Two professional references
  • Successful assessment and professional discussion with the BASDU expert team
Course details →
Level 3

BASDU L3 Personal Protection Dog Training

Advanced training for experienced handlers working with personal protection dogs. Focuses on precise control, lawful and proportionate response, risk assessment and the welfare of the dog.

Duration: 6 weeks

Entry requirement: BASDU L2 General Purpose Security Dog Handler qualification, or equivalent

Enquire about this course →
First aid

BASDU Emergency First Aid for Dogs

Practical emergency care for working dogs. Learn to recognise injury and illness, give immediate first aid and keep a dog stable until veterinary help arrives.

Duration: 6 hours (3 hours practical + 3 hours theory) · Certificate on completion

Canine First Aid – Learn Online Enquire about this course →
Course details · Level 2

BASDU L2 General Purpose Security Dog Handler

For people starting a career as a security dog handler, and for working handlers who want their skills assessed against BASDU standards.

6 days 60 GLH Classroom + practical

What you will learn

1. The security dog team The role of a handler and dog in static guarding, mobile patrols and site searches, and how a team deters and detects intruders.
2. Law and responsibilities The Guard Dogs Act 1975, Animal Welfare Act 2006, Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, SIA licensing, reasonable and proportionate use of force, and the BS 8517-1 code of practice.
3. Control and obedience Keeping the dog under full control on the lead: heelwork, positions, steadiness around people, vehicles and distractions, and a reliable recall to the handler.
4. Patrol and search techniques Planning patrol routes, working with wind and scent, reading your dog's indications, searching areas and buildings, and challenging and reporting safely.
5. Canine health and welfare Daily health checks, feeding, exercise and rest, recognising illness, injury and heat stress, working with a vet, and planning for retirement.
6. Kennelling and transport Safe kennel standards on and off site, transporting dogs in suitable vehicles, and controlling temperature and ventilation at all times.
7. Equipment Choosing, fitting and checking collars, leads, harnesses and muzzles, and the handler's own uniform and personal protective equipment.
8. Records, risk and reporting Dog records and microchip details, training logs, notebooks and incident reports, plus risk assessment and safe interaction with the public.

How you are assessed

  • Practical assessment of you and your dog working together, by a qualified BASDU assessor
  • A written knowledge assessment
  • Results quality-assured by a BASDU IQA

What to bring

  • Your valid SIA licence
  • Proof of identity and two proofs of address
  • Proof of dog ownership and up-to-date vaccinations
  • Your dog, with suitable collar, lead and muzzle
You also need English at Level 1, or equivalent.

After this course

Progress to the BASDU L3 Personal Protection Dog Training or, with teaching experience, the BASDU L3 Trainer Course. Add Emergency First Aid for Dogs at any time.
Book or enquire
Course details · Level 3

BASDU L3 Trainer Course

For experienced handlers who want to train and assess new security dog handlers. On completion you will be able to deliver and assess every learning outcome of the BASDU L2 General Purpose Security Dog Handler course.

6 weeks Includes 1 week shadowing Teach + assess

What you will learn

1. Delivering the BASDU L2 course Teaching every L2 learning outcome with confidence: the dog team's role, the law, control and obedience, patrol and search, welfare, kennelling and transport, equipment, and records.
2. How dogs and people learn Learning theory, reinforcement and motivation, reading canine body language, and adapting your approach to each dog's breed, temperament and drive.
3. Planning training Judging whether a dog is suitable, understanding each handler's needs, setting clear goals, writing session plans, and choosing safe venues and resources.
4. Coaching handlers Teaching handlers to train their own dogs: clear demonstrations, useful feedback, managing a group, and keeping every learner motivated.
5. Assessing learners Planning and running practical and knowledge assessments, making fair, consistent decisions, recording evidence, giving feedback, and working with the IQA.
6. Welfare and safety in training Ongoing risk assessment, spotting stress, pain or fear in dogs and handlers, humane handling and equipment use, and knowing when to refer to a vet or behaviourist.
7. Professional practice Training records and progress tracking, data protection, insurance, professional conduct and keeping your own CPD up to date.
8. One week shadowing A full week alongside an expert BASDU trainer on a live L2 course: observing, co-delivering sessions and assessments, then leading them under supervision.

How you are assessed

  • Observed delivery of training sessions covering the BASDU L2 learning outcomes
  • Observed assessment of handler and dog teams, with accurate records and feedback
  • A report from your expert BASDU trainer on the shadowing week
  • A final professional discussion with the BASDU expert team

Entry requirements

  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET), or equivalent
  • BASDU L2 qualification, or equivalent training
  • Two professional references
  • Successful assessment and professional discussion with the BASDU expert team before you start

After this course

Deliver and assess the BASDU L2 course at a BASDU approved centre, or use it towards approval for your own training centre.
Book or enquire

Your route in

How to become a qualified security dog handler

  1. 1 Choose an approved centre Book with a BASDU approved training centre near you.
  2. 2 Complete your training Start with the L2 General Purpose course: 6 days, 60 guided learning hours.
  3. 3 Get assessed A qualified assessor checks you and your dog, with IQA oversight for consistency.
  4. 4 Receive your certificate Your handler and team certificates can be verified online in seconds.
  5. 5 Join & get found Become a member and be listed where employers can find you.

Working on a security contract also requires the appropriate SIA licence.