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Trust me, looking for explosives in Hostile environment is very different to searching for anything else. I agree about the ability to read a dog etc but the awareness that you need when working in these environments is totally different. I have done drug detection work as well as explosive and at the end of the day, although the procedures are similar the work itself is very different, as is the procedures on an indication. The scope for disaster is alot bigger too, whats the worst that a kilo of cocaine can do when your dog indicates compared to a kilo of HME.?? Trust me you don't want to be stood too close to that. Also the companies that employ you will be paying a lot of money for your services, hence the reason they want you to have all the certificates, It proves to the client that you are at least to a standard to do the job otherwise everyone would be doing it. As for course's to train you to do the job, like everything there are good and bad but I am always dubious when a handler arrives having done a three week course, It takes 16 weeks to do the British Army Arms/ Explosive Course so how can they do it so much quicker.?? If you have the right attitude, i.e the course gets you to a level but afterwards you learn the job, you'll be fine but too many handlers arrive thinking they know everything and trust me, you never ever do.!!! I have been handling for over 13 years and everyday something new comes up.
With regards to patrol dogs securing compounds I think most of the companies over here employ TCN's to do it as they are so much cheaper. It's a nightmare getting your foot in the door over here now, especially in the dog world. If I can be of any help PM me and I'll help in anyway I can.
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