Page 13 - Chiron Calling Autumn/Winter 2022

Military Working Dog Handler Initial Trade Training Course 2201
by Sgt Andy Miles
On completion of Basic Training recruits wishing to join the Royal Army
Veterinary Corps arrive at the Defence Animal Training Regiment to complete a seven-week Initial Trade Training (ITT) course on how to become a Military Working Dog handler.
Firstly, recruits are taught
animal husbandry in order to look after MWDs both within barracks and whilst deployed within field conditions. This aids relationship building between both MWD and handler which is paramount to ensure both handler and dog are going to be successful as a team. Once recruits have developed a good relationship with their MWDs and are completing animal husbandry to the required standard they progress on to learning how to handle them.
Throughout the course recruits learn essential knowledge and skills that are vital to becoming a MWD handler, and this consists
of obedience, agility, pick up and indication training, how to carry out the role of a Practical Training Assistant (PTA) and finally the releasing of MWDs to capture and detain any possible intruders or enemy forces.
To consolidate what they have learnt on the ITT course, recruits complete a five-day intense and strenuous final exercise where all
lessons learnt are tested whilst deployed in the field, really putting the recruits through their paces.
WEEK 1 / 7
Week 1 of the ITT Course is where students are paired with MWDs and start learning the fundamentals to becoming a MWD handler alongside being put through their paces on their first PT session of the course.
WEEK 2 / 7
All initial veterinary lessons are completed, here recruits learn how to administer basic first aid to their MWD’s whilst in camp and whilst deploying within field conditions.
WEEK 3 / 7
Is when students learn how to become Practical Training Assistants to ensure the correct safety is carried out at all times to prevent any sort
of injury to the handler and MWDs whilst completing valuable training to improve the MWDs bite capability.
WEEK 4 / 7
Students are tested on their ability to be a PTA (Practical training Assistant) on a static bite and a full chase a detain.
WEEK 5 / 7
Recruits learn how to handle MWDs in a number of different disciplines including Bite Work, Obedience, Agility and starting scenario training.
WEEK 6 / 7
Exercise first night is completed to teach students how maintain and operate with a MWD within field conditions preparing them for the ITT MWD final exercise.
WEEK 7 / 7
Students are put under pressure whilst carrying out scenario training during their final exercise, requiring quick thinking to deal with whatever situation that is put in their way. On completion of exercise the ITT course is complete with a Pass out Parade on the final day of the course.
Pte Lydia Brown being presented her Stable belt and RAVC TRF’s on the pass out parade by the Chief Veterinary Remount Officer Col Mark Morrison QHVS.
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