A scientific based K9 (Canine) Dog Unit and dog handler training centre offering the best service available. K9 - Canine Dog training academy specializing in explosive and narcotics detection dog
training and offering kennels - see our products & services.

 

Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy has been the distinctive leader in the dog training and development field in South Africa since 1987, with services rendered varying from dog training and selling to the training of dogs for personal protection, as well as the training of dogs and handlers for specialised applications as required by governments and the private sector internationally.

 

 

 

Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy,

• Runs a professional training academy for dogs and handlers (Dog Trainer School – Career Pathing: How to become a dog trainer).

• Is an accredited SASSETA (Safety And Security Sector Education And Training Authority) training service provider that provides courses for learners that can lead to national qualifications, with qualified registered Assessors and Moderators.

• Is a P.S.I.R.A. (Private Security Industry regulatory Authority) accredited dog and handler training center and a P.S.I.R.A. accredited dog supplier. Training is presented by Grade A DH5 Instructors.

• Provides certificates of competence for both dog and handler.

• Offers dog training and handler courses including:

1. Personal protection training

2. Service dog training

3. Dog obedience training

4. Attack dog training

5. Patrol dog training

6. Tracker dog training

7. Substance detection dog training (sniffer dogs)
   i. Narcotic detection dog training (drug detection dog)
   ii. Explosive detection dog training (bomb detection dog)

8. Guard dog training

9. Puppy socialization training.

• Offers consultation services internationally and locally to governmental as well as private concerns.

• Hires out dogs and dog kennels.

• Does Research on and Development of new techniques and training aids for narcotic detection dogs and explosive detection dogs, and advanced training methods.

• Develops and utilizes vapour training aids for continuation training of dogs and handlers for substance detection.

• Has dogs for sale that are stringently tested for good temperament and behaviour.

• Advises and implements programmes for integrating dogs into families (companion animals – ethology)

• Offers a kennel service (Boarding Kennel) for clients.

• Supplies service dog equipment (Dog kennel service, dog harness, dog leash, dog check chain).

• Provides a scientific dog behavioural consultancy service

 

To provide, through our Academy and Research Institute, the means by which our customers can be satisfied in the most cost-effective and productive manner;  be the service provider of choice because of our high quality of service, performance and commitment to the highest standards of professionalism;  perform as team players that show respect for colleagues;  develops and maintains training capacity for:

• Professional training of dog handlers to the highest international standards for SASSETA (Safety And Security Sector Education And Training Authority)  and P.S.I.R.A.  (Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority) accredited courses

• Consultation services

• Specialized training of handlers and dogs for:

   

  1. Substance detection

  2. Personal protection

  3. Puppy socialization

  4. Patrol dog duties

  5. Tracker dog applications

• Research and Development

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Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy has its own research unit, headed by owner John Greyvenstein. He holds a BSc (Zoology) (Hons) and an MSc in Genetics. The topic of his thesis was on Working Dogs.

The research unit, in conjunction with the Government of the Seychelles as well as South African scientists made a significant breakthrough during the first half of 2005 in the detection of narcotics and explosives using sniffer dogs, making the process much more accurate while avoiding potentially dangerous side effects for both Handler and Dog.

The Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy team developed training aids that contain a small amount of the vapour of a target substance. Dangerous substances like explosives and narcotics are tamed in the process because of the techniques applied (which adhere to the requirements of the Chief Inspector of Explosives as well as those of the Medicines Control Board).

 

The aids are not dangerous to either trainer or dog, and cannot be abused by anybody. With proper precautions they can also easily be protected against contamination, and can be stored securely.

During trial runs in both the Seychelles and locally, resounding success was achieved with both the preparing and testing of training material, and the training and assessing of dogs and handlers.

The new technique was successfully demonstrated during an Open Day at Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy on 10 June 2005 – using narcotics detection dogs that have been trained for less than two weeks.

The breakthrough in the application of sniffer dogs has also opened up significant new career opportunities in specialised dog handling for both private security firms who want to have their officers trained for narcotics and explosives detection making use of sniffer dogs, and for private individuals who want to follow a lucrative career in specialized dog handling after obtaining their DH5 certification.

The Research Unit has also already successfully patented a unique kennelling system, scientifically designed, developed and tested to enhance the comfort of the dog and simplify the task of its minder, while representing a significant cost saving.

A scientifically balanced self-feeder unit for dogs has also been successfully developed and tested, and is in full commercial use.

Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy’s research unit is constantly working on projects relevant to the dog-related security industry, and more breakthroughs are in the pipeline.

      

John Greyvenstein and Dr. Fanie van der Walt in the research laboratory.

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