Introducing Mike Aylward

For 50 years, Mike Aylward has been training dogs and handlers in the following disciplines:

• Guard Dog training,
• Security Dog training,
• Personal / Family Protection training
• Tracking,
• Explosives detection,
• Termite detection,
• Drug detection,
• Body searches and
• Police work.

Mike’s career in dog training began in 1961 when he enlisted in the British Army as a BIII Dog Trainer.  His 22 year career in the British Army took him to England, Northern Island, Germany, Borneo, Malaysia, Belgium and Hong Kong training dogs and handlers.  In 1983, he retired from the British Army as a Master Dog Trainer.

Following retirement, Mike spent five years as the Inspector Director of Police Dogs HDA for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.   In this role, Mike was responsible for the selection and training of dogs and handlers for Police, drug, arms and explosives detection.

In 1988, Mike moved to Queensland and opened Aylwards Dog School.  Since opening the kennels in Rosewood, Mike has successfully trained dogs for army and explosives, drugs, termites, arson and body searches.  He has also successfully exported trained dogs to many parts of the world for guard and security work.

A full overview of Mike’s achievements and qualifications can be viewed below:

Qualifications:

• Chief Dog Trainer, British Army
• Warrant Officer Class I,  British Army
• Master Dog Trainer
• Director of Police Dogs and Chief Inspector on HDA to Superintendent, Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary
• Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training

Service & Employment History

1961:  Enlisted in the British Army as a  B111  Dog Trainer.  Trained dogs and handlers for security, parachute, and Red Cross purposes.

1963-67:   Operational service in Malaysia and Borneo with tracking, infantry patrol, arms and  explosive dogs. Trained Australian, New Zealand, Malaysian, American and British soldiers and dogs.

BII Dog Trainer – Trained dogs and handlers as above, plus mine, tracking, arms and explosive dogs.

BI Dog Trainer.

1967-69:   Sergeant with No 1 War Dog Training Unit, Germany. Dogs and handlers trained as above, plus drug, liaison and casualty finding dogs.

1969-70:   Sergeant in charge of 40 dogs and handlers in Belgium, responsible for the security of six depots.  (Continuation training of dogs and handlers).

1970-73:   Staff Sergeant at Hong Kong Dog Company RAVC, in charge of 120 dogs and handlers.

Chief Dog Trainer.

MASTER DOG TRAINER

Trained dogs and handlers for Police, guard, drugs, tracking, arms and explosives work.

1973-76 :   Staff Sergeant, Chief Dog Trainer, Northern  Ireland, in charge of  210 dogs and  handlers. Trained dogs and handlers for Police, tracking, drug, SAS, arms and explosives work.

1976-78:  Warrant Officer II, Chief Dog Trainer, Company Sergeant Major,  Hong Kong Dog Company.  Trained dogs and handlers as above.

1978-80:  Warrant Officer II, Chief Dog Trainer,  Company Sergeant Major, Army Dog Unit, Northern Ireland.  Handlers and dogs trained as above.

1980-83:   Warrant Officer I, Chief Dog Trainer & Master Dog Trainer.  RAVC Training Centre, Melton Mowbray, England. The kennels had approximately 250 dogs under  training, at any one time, for supply to all parts of the world.  Dogs and handlers were trained to all classifications mentioned above, plus two new ones:- Sweep and MOD Police dog new Standards of Efficiency

1983-88:   Inspector, Director of Police Dogs, HDA  to Superintendent,  Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. Trained dogs and handlers for Police, drug detection, arms and explosives.

1988:  Purchased kennels in Queensland and granted permanent residency.  Opened Aylward’s Dog School, Boarding Kennels and Cattery.

Honours and Awards

• GSM 1962 Clasp Borneo
• GSM 1962 Clasp Malay Peninsula
• GSM 1974 Clasp Northern Ireland
• GSM For continuous extended operational service
• Long Service & Good Conduct Medal
• Queen’s Jubilee Medal
• 10th Independence Papua New Guinea Medal
• Papua New Guinea Community Service Medal
• Papua New Guinea Police Centenary Medal

Courses Attended

• Class 3, Class 2, Class 1 to Chief Dog Trainer
• Veterinary Dresser/Pharmacist
• Royal Engineer Anti-Terrorist, Anti- Device, Search and Secure Course
• Search Team Commanders/Advisors Course
• All Arms Drill and Man-management Course
• NEBSS Supervisory and Specialist Security Management Course
• All military qualification courses for Warrant Officer I.

As Chief Dog Trainer, British Army, and Director of Police Dogs for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary responsible for the selection of dogs for all classifications and the selection and training of personnel for dog handlers and trainers.

High Security VIP Searches have included those for HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales, the Pope and for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Since opening his kennels and dog school in Rosewood, Queensland has successfully trained dogs for: arms and explosives, drugs, termites, arson, body search etc. Has also been successful in exporting trained protection dogs. Has also regularly held courses for Protection Dog Handlers.

Michael has served on the Committee of the Security Industry Training for the Business Services Industry Training Council (Queensland). He is a member of the Search and Rescue (Queensland) and has trained search dogs for all kinds of terrain and surroundings, rural, residential, etc. Recently he has become a member of the RSPCA Dog Obedience, Instructing and Handling Product Advisory Committee as their Expert Dog Trainer.

Michael has recently been awarded Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training

Category: Features