Simon Mallin K9 Training & Consultancy

Simon Mallin K9 Training & Consultancy *NASDU Trainer, K9 Assessor, Consultant, Advisor* I'm looking to expand on existing and explore new opportunities both in the UK and abroad.

*NASDU Trainer, K9 Assessor, Consultant, Advisor*
An SME for government, commercial and private canine security organisations and individuals. Extremely flexible with a WILL DO attitude. Long-or short-term projects.

*Fields of expertise:*
Explosive Detection Dogs, Drug Detection Dogs, Pyrotechnic (flare) Detection Dogs, People Search (passive scanning/vapour wake), Tracker Dogs, Patrol Dogs, Wil

dlife Protection (Anti-poaching) Dogs, Medical Alert Dogs. Initial Training for both dogs and handlers, assessments (QA/QC), Continuation Training, Remedial Training, Problem Solving, Project Management and Installation. Over the past 30+ years. I have gained expertise in security K9 Management and Training. I was a Military Working Dog Handler with the British Army (Army Dog Unit NI) in the late 80s and 90s. I’m a founder member, former chairman, current committee member and company director of the United Kingdom’s NASDU (National Association of Security Dog Users). I have travelled extensively, providing training and education in the K9 arena (including in some of the world’s security hot spots). I have provided training of both dogs and rangers deployed in the fight against the Illegal Wildlife trade in Africa (anti-poaching dog teams). In more recent years I've trained dogs and owners for Medical Alert in the UK and am keen to progress this further. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my profile. I'm always keen to increase my network of like-minded people and potential clientele.

These look fun 😁 😂
12/09/2025

These look fun 😁 😂

🚨 Volunteers Wanted – Drug Detection Dog Training 🚨I’ve secured permission to train at McArthurGlen Shopping Centre, Bri...
11/09/2025

🚨 Volunteers Wanted – Drug Detection Dog Training 🚨

I’ve secured permission to train at McArthurGlen Shopping Centre, Bridgend on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September.

📍 We’ll be working the main concourse, entrances, and funnels — a fantastic live venue that I used regularly in the past and am pleased to be returning to.

🕙 Times: 10:00–16:00 both days.
🙋 I need volunteers to help throughout the day (no more than an hour each).

What’s involved?

You’ll carry safe, legal training aids (target scents).

You’ll blend into the crowd or entry points.

The handler won’t know who’s carrying what.

It’s all part of day 15 & 16 of a 32-day NASDU Level 3 DDD course — proper live training in a public setting.

It’s safe, legal, and good fun — plus a chance to see behind the scenes of professional detection dog training.

📧 If you’re interested, please email me at [email protected]

Any budding potential Drug Dog Trainers looking for CPD or developing their Trainer portfolio are very welcome

Day 7 of 32 – NASDU Passive & Proactive Combined Drug Detection Dog CourseThis course is run one-to-one with a green dog...
11/09/2025

Day 7 of 32 – NASDU Passive & Proactive Combined Drug Detection Dog Course

This course is run one-to-one with a green dog and novice handler, which is my preferred model and the way I deliver it is Passive first, before moving on to Proactive.

There’s no escaping the NASDU paperwork that comes with it — attendance records, learner evidence, lesson Plans / Assessment Sheets training hours — it’s all part of the process. The key I’ve found is to make it part of my working day. On the way home I’ll grab a coffee, sit down, and get the attendance record completed there and then. The Assessment Sheets and Lesson Plans i incorporate into the training days and work through them with the learner, its actually a fabulous training aide. That way it never builds up, and it becomes part of the routine rather than a chore.

At the end of the day, these records aren’t just “forms to fill in.” They’re a diary of the dog and handler’s progress and evidence that goes directly towards Highfield certification. Each qualification is a minimum of 100 hours, and on a combined 32-day course we easily cover 200 hours, including assessment, so everything stacks up without needing to rely on RPL.

So far, I’ve used four attendance forms covering 7 days, and I’ve accounted for around 7-8 guided learning hours per day. On a one-to-one basis that’s more than justified — the learner also has homework, self-study, and report writing on top. Even lunch is part of it, as we’re still talking dogs, industry, and training.

When I used to run group courses, I’d save time by using one hand written Attendance Record across the group — as long as everyone was on the same day and training the same content — then copy it at the end and add the individuals details. Now I work exclusively one-to-one, so each sheet is specific to the dog and handler.

My handlers also keep their own daily training records throughout the course. I sign them off, add my comments where needed, and at the end they’ve got a proper record for their files. It’s a habit that stays with them when they’re out working operationally.

Nobody loves paperwork, me included — but if you build it into the day, it’s a lot less painful, and it’s what makes the qualification credible and stands out at the end.

🚨 IED Awareness Day – Wednesday, 19th November 2025📍 Alford Technologies, Cheddar💷 £295 per person🎟️ Strictly limited to...
10/09/2025

🚨 IED Awareness Day – Wednesday, 19th November 2025
📍 Alford Technologies, Cheddar
💷 £295 per person
🎟️ Strictly limited to 20 places
🕙 Approx. 10:00–16:00 (exact timings confirmed closer to the date)
🥪 Bring your own lunch | Tea & coffee and light refreshments provided

---

I’m running a one-day IED Awareness event in partnership with Alford Technologies, aimed at EDD handlers, and those working in high-risk environments.

---

🔍 Format of the Day:

Components of an IED – Classroom presentation on device layout and materials

Conduct of an IED Find – 4Cs, 5Ws, and what an EOD team commander needs from you (statements, diagrams, access, etc.)

Demo Exercise – An operational find scenario

Explosive Power Demonstration – Detonators, explosive chain, UVIED, HME (e.g. ANS), etc.

Certificate of Attendance – Jointly issued by Alford Technologies and Simon Mallin K9 Training and Consultancy.

---

🧠 No heavy theory, delivery at the right level. Just credible, practical awareness content delivered by people who know.

---

📩 To Book:

Please email [email protected] to request a place.

Once a place is agreed, an invoice will be raised and the booking becomes secure and non-refundable.

If you need time to make full payment but want to secure your spot, let me know in the email — I’m happy to be flexible where possible, but once confirmed, the invoice will raised with an agreed date for payment and remain payable in full. Regardless if you change your mind further down the line due to the nature of the event.

---

👉 email to register interest — first come, first served.

Only seven places remaining !!

10/09/2025

🐾 Day 5 – NASDU Level 3 Passive & Proactive Drug Detection Dog Handler Course

📍 Yesterday we were back at Bridgend College, Pencoed campus, working closely with the Animal Care Department who kindly loan me classes throughout the day. That gives us fresh line-ups of students as carriers (both negatives and positives), all under control and in a safe environment.

We’re still concentrating on the passive element — imprinting cannabis and reinforcing co***ne. Co***ne has been a little more challenging, so it’s been a case of repeat, simplify, repeat, simplify, then move forward.

Training included:

Static and moving lines

Chase-backs/follow work

Scent ID to reinforce target odours and work through distractors (dog food, tennis balls, poo bags, blank training aids, trainers / handlers scent etc.)

All positive reinforcement: play reward, so for the dog it’s fun.

One barrier at the moment is Marley’s fitness. He’s what I’d call “kennel or pet fit” rather than “search fit”, which means by the afternoons he’s knackered and it limits what we can do. We’re managing it carefully, and his fitness and stamina will build as the course progresses.

We'll also be switching his food to Burns Pet Nutrition Active Working dod feed.

This week is about controlled environments — corridors, doorways, static line-ups — which allows the handler to focus on line work while the dog learns. On Friday we’ll move to a new facility: the Royal British Legion during a live social event. There we’ll be working an actual entrance point alongside security. The expectation for Marley will be low (still early days), but it’ll be invaluable for the handler: operational planning, risk assessment, positioning the dog, working in a live environment.

Running a passive course properly is a big logistical task — you need live venues and real human carriers and not the same ones again and again. You can’t replicate it in a barn with mannequins, and you certainly shouldn’t be assessing handlers in that kind of environment.

That’s why partnerships with places like Coleg Penybont - Bridgend College Bridgend College are so valuable — the students gain exposure to another animal-care career path, and the handle and dog get the controlled but real training they need.

08/09/2025

🐾 Day 4 – NASDU Level 3 Passive & Proactive Drug Detection Dog Handler Course

Today we were at Coleg Penybont - Bridgend College , Pencoed campus, and I had the pleasure of being joined by Mr. Tony Yeo.

Tony kindly came in to assist with chase backs, moving lines and acting as a dynamic carrier/helper. For those who don’t know him, Tony is ex–South Wales Police with 30+ years’ service, finishing as an instructor at the Police Dog School. He also worked with me for over a decade back in the Malpeet days, and has been one of my mentors — particularly on the passive drug side of things.

He’s one of the top passive trainers in the UK, and I learned a huge amount from him in those early years. We all had to learn from someone, and I’ll always be grateful for the time, knowledge and experience Tony shared with me.

Great to have him join us today and to see him still working dogs with the same passion.

Thank you, Tony 👏

07/09/2025

Day 3 of 31 after a seven day break – NASDU Level 3 Combined Passive & Proactive Drug Detection Dog & Handler Course

Back on the racks today, reinforcing the first target scent introduced (cannabis), and imprinting a second scent – co***ne. We used both the racks and the scent ID system.

The scent ID isn’t part of NASDU’s core requirement (at least not yet), but it’s a really useful tool for testing. It helps ensure the dog is locked onto the target scent and ignoring distractors.

Really pleased with this dog — and the handler, who wishes to remain anonymous. Super day all round.

Tomorrow we move to Bridgend College, Pencoed campus, where we’ll be working with live people in a live venue. Thanks to a great arrangement with the college, we’ll have fresh classes of learners throughout the day — meaning new carriers each session rather than recycling the same ones.

Focus for tomorrow: new live venue, real people, reinforcing the two scents now imprinted, moving lines and introducing the chase back.

07/09/2025

🎥 Friday’s Training & Assessments

Lauren & Moss, and Frank & Marlene (yes — Marlene! Not the one from Only Fools and Horses, but Frank’s Labrador 🐾) joined me for a full day of EDD CT training and assessments here in South Wales.

We covered:

Internal building search – a bomb threat scenario with role-play and Q&A. Both teams went in blind to a complex multiple room facility. Impressive work all round, with one awkwardly placed hide that tested both dogs. We had to reduce the difficulty in this case to keep things positive.

Large open-area search – this one included Harrier Jump Jets ✈️ (yes, really).

Scent ID exercises in between.

Small area search to finish.

Throughout the day I gave verbal feedback, and both teams left with detailed reports, videos and assessment sheets and (I’m pleased to say) achieved their assessments — with just a few minor action points for development.

Frank even brought his campervan and made a mini-break out of it. That’s the beauty of training in South Wales — plenty of good venues and great places to stay.

All in all, an enjoyable and productive day with two dedicated handlers and their dogs.

☕ Coffee First. Always.No secret here — I don’t function before 10am without coffee. Normally it’s Costa, Greggs or even...
07/09/2025

☕ Coffee First. Always.

No secret here — I don’t function before 10am without coffee. Normally it’s Costa, Greggs or even McDonald’s — quick stop, van parked, coffee in hand, day planned.

Today? My usual Costa Coffee was shut. Disaster. Ended up in Starbucks. Not a fan. Coffee’s not great, and it’s more expensive. Why is that?

Anyway, I’m training today, which means spending time with another human being… so coffee is compulsory. For their sake as much as mine. 😅

Anyone a Starbucks fan ?

The Fear of the Unknown… Conquered (kind of!)Today I paid for my shopping at Aldi without using my bank card.No cash. No...
06/09/2025

The Fear of the Unknown… Conquered (kind of!)

Today I paid for my shopping at Aldi without using my bank card.
No cash. No chip & pin. Just me, a self-checkout till, and my phone.

I’d loaded my card onto Google Pay earlier in the day and, to my shock, I just tapped my phone… and it worked.

For a 57-year-old who still remembers the Nokia brick, it felt like witchcraft. Scary, but exciting.

And here’s the thing — even at 57, the fear of the unknown is real. But whether it’s trying new technology, taking on new training, or making a change in direction with your career… the lesson is the same: if you never try, you never grow.

And what’s next…?

Friday evening thoughts…I’m absolutely knackered – physically and mentally – but what a week it’s been.I’ve never been o...
05/09/2025

Friday evening thoughts…

I’m absolutely knackered – physically and mentally – but what a week it’s been.

I’ve never been one for doing the same thing day in, day out. When I first came out of the Army, I set up Malpeat Security Dogs Limited in the late 90s. Truth be told, I was probably the worst patrol dog handler ever… walking a fence line for 12 hours straight nearly broke me. Hats off to the men and women who do that day in, day out – it’s not for me.

But this week has been exactly what I am good at (and what I enjoy most):

Mon & Tue – delivering a Passive Drug Detection Dog course Days 1 and 2 in Cardiff (two venues, two very different days).

Wed – up to Cheddar with Alford Technologies Ltd, hosting a bulk explosives/HME training day for corporate handlers.

Thur – EDD monthly CT & assessments, outside live venue (one handler).

Fri – more EDD monthly CT & assessments, outside live venue (two handlers).

Mix in the report writing, planning, organising,phone calls, emails and the self-employed admin that comes with it and ofcourse social media posts… and yes, I’m tired.

But here’s the thing NASDU handlers and trainers sometimes forget:and im guilty of it. Every bit of income I’ve earned this week – apart from Wednesday (though even that’s linked indirectly) – has come from being a NASDU trainer. Four out of five days directly, one indirectly. It’s what pays my mortgage and keeps the wheels turning. I’ve got a lot to thank NASDU for as have many others.

Weeks like this make me appreciate what I do, and remind me why I still enjoy it. Training dogs and handlers never gets boring. 🐾

Address

K9 Training And Consultancy
Cardiff

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Simon Mallin K9 Training & Consultancy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Simon Mallin K9 Training & Consultancy:

Shortcuts

Share

Category