At just shy of 130 people, this Joint Squadron is the biggest Squadron within the Defence Animal Centre. With an unsurprisingly operationally focussed output, the CTS delivers trained Military Working Dogs (MWD) to support Defence not only deployed Units but those responsible for UK security as well.
The Sqn will procure and train about 200 dogs this year (all MWD are accepted into service by an external body that ensures standards are maintained) and about 650 students and this is achieved by a team of RAVC, RAF and Civil service personnel. The 8 classifications of dogs will be trained for a range of uses in either the DETECT or PROTECT discipline. Detection dogs are used in a wide range of operational scenarios and there are different classifications of MWD that can be called upon by commanders to support their requirements.
Detection dogs are usually trained to detect drugs or weapons and explosives (plus component parts and associated items). In countering the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threat, the commander on the ground has an array of detection dogs upon which to call. Whatever decision he makes (lower assurance but increased forward motion or higher assurance and slower pace) the CTS will have trained the dog for the role.
The provision of DETECT capability is tailored to operational requirements and emerging capabilities have seen the CTS demonstrating extreme flexibility as new variants of MWD come on line. DETECT also extends to Tracker and Police dogs which have a UK centric role.
PROTECT sees the bold, highly driven Protection dog being produced to protect installations at home and on operations.
If resourced there is no limit to the type and number of MWDs trained.
Of course the other element of the dog team is the trained handler. Trainees will be guided through their course (one of about 20 available) by highly motivated and DTTT qualified instructors. The CTS also facilitates the provision of Phase 2 (Specific to Arm) RAVC Training. In addition there are courses available that teach people to become dog trainers, how to instruct (DIT) and how to manage dog sections. To ensure quality of instruction remains high, all instructors will be formally assessed, and coached, at least twice a year.
Trainers and Instructors work outside in all weathers all year and work tirelessly to meet the CTS Statement of Training Target (SOTT). The SOTT provides handlers and dogs to customers across Defence that include 1 MWD Regiment, AIR as well as MDP and NISGS. CTS remains incredibly agile and excellent communications with end users ensure that amendments to the outputs (handler or MWD) are acted upon appropriately and swiftly. This in turn means that the capability is exactly what defence needs.
CTS is supported by a team of civilian Kennel Assistants that maintain the health and husbandry of all MWDs under training in ever increasing numbers of new kennels. This with the technical veterinary support of VTS and the ability to train on the extensive estate courtesy of the pasture required for horses at ETS, means that MWD under training are in the best possible environment with the best possible care.
Courses - Canine Training Squadron
Protection
- Practical Training Assistant
- Patrol Dog Handler/Reteam
- Kennel Manager/Assistant
Search
- Arms Explosive Search Dog Handler/Reteam
- Vehicle Search Dog Handler/Reteam
- Tracker Dog Handler/Reteam
- Drugs Detection Multi-purpose Handler/Reteam
Police
- Police Dog Handler/Reteam
- Qualified Police Dog Handler/Inspector RAF
RAVC Trade Courses
Military Working Dogs
- Patrol Arm True Dog
- Arms Explosive Search Dog
- Police Dog Tracker Dog
- Drugs Detection Multi-Purpose Dog
- Vehicle Search Dog