April 2026 Update

April 24th–26th saw UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales  deliver a constructive few days of training out of Anglesey, in the Malltraeth and Parys Mountain areas.

A total of 16 dogs and handlers attended from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, including both qualified and trainee teams. We also welcomed two new dog and handler teams who have now joined the NASDU official training programme.

Across the three days, the focus was on introductory training and continued professional development across all NASDU search and rescue pathways.

The varied training environments reinforced adaptability and presented both qualified and trainee dogs with realistic search scenarios, supporting the development and maintenance of operational drive and endurance.

For the new dogs, consistent positive reinforcement was used throughout to build confidence, motivation, and a clear understanding of the task through a simple, structured approach, helping to establish solid foundations.

A constructive and rewarding few days overall with a committed group of handlers and dogs throughout.

UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales concluded March with an intensive weekend of training in the Chirk area.

Local coroner’s officers joined the sessions, along with international guests from the Caribbean and Libya, all eager to engage in the training and explore future collaboration opportunities.
Additional observers attended to gain insight into our training methods and consider future programmes.

Friday morning saw HRD handlers attend Wrexham University, where we were grateful to hear talks delivered by a senior forensic lecturer as part of our ongoing partnership. The session focused on forensic taphonomy, exploring environmental factors that influence cadaver searches in both land and aquatic environments, including wildlife activity, vegetation, water currents, and water temperatures.

Teams split into groups for the afternoon, working on submerged water, live victim, man-trailing, and cadaver land exercises, focusing on objectives such as refinds, scent discrimination, and variable reward system exercises.

Thanks to our partners Triple R for their expert demonstrations of Side-Scan Sonar and AquaEye systems. Handlers and observers gained valuable insight into how this technology is utilised and supports search operations in aquatic environments.

Congratulations to one handler who successfully passed their NASDU Level 3 trailing assessment and is now a fully qualified team member - a result reflecting hard work and dedication.

Training came to a close on Sunday at Chirk Marina, with teams reinforcing techniques and achieving their objectives.

Huge thanks to Chirk Marina for generously allowing us full use of their facilities.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 K9 Search & Rescue NI 

𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮.

The weekend included continuation training for HRD, Land & Submerged Water, Live Victim Air - Scenting, and Mantrailing teams, supporting CPD and ensuring handlers remain effective, efficient, and fully compliant with certification standards.

HRD teams focused on refining accuracy and reinforcing effectiveness in complex environmental conditions, Air-Scenting directional-distance control, and Mantrailing varied trail start, scenarios, and interpreting negative outcomes.

K9 Search and Rescue Continues to Grow!

An additional four handlers have now joined this team, registering for NASDU Level 3, and progressing through their introductory training, with both handler and dog already demonstrating skill and potential for development.

The weekend was busy and productive, with valuable knowledge shared.

As always a pleasure supporting these committed handlers in their training.

Thanks to the team members for organising the training locations,  and the volunteers for making these search scenarios as close to real-world conditions as possible.

January was a busy month for UK-K9 Training for Excellence - Wales, from the edge of the Scottish Highlands to the island of Anglesey and on to Skarbimierz, South Western Poland.

Anglesey (Jan 23-25) welcomed 14 dogs and handlers from England & Wales for a full-schedule weekend, with many undertaking pre and re-assessments.

Credit to those working towards live-person tracking/trailing assessments, and well done to all handlers that passed their HRD Land & Water re-assessments, teams fully operational, upholding UKK9 Training for Excellence standards and NASDU regulations for a further 12 months.

In Skarbimierz (Jan 28-Feb 5), despite the bitterly cold conditions, a busy programme kept everyone active ( and warm! ) the training was well recieved and a great success.

We were pleased to welcome new handlers and dogs to the NASDU register, and look forward to seeing them progress throughout the year.

Well done to the two handlers who passed HRD NASDU assessments - your commitment and consistency to training was clearly demonstrated.

Thanks to host Anna Hermińska for her professionalism, and for providing an excellent training site, giving everyone ample opportunity to move around for scenario-based exercises in realistic terrain.

2026 has started with a strong emphasis on teamwork and development, with every handler, dog, and location presenting valuable lessons, achievements.