Do I need a licence or authorization to handle a security dog?

The rules differ by province, so check yours. In BC the registrar must authorize both the business and the worker to use dogs, and in Alberta a patrol dog handler needs a security service worker licence. This course is background knowledge only and does not qualify you to handle a dog.

Can a security dog be used to control a crowd?

No. BC and Ontario both ban using security dogs for crowd control or to pursue people. Dogs are used to detect and to protect the handler on patrol.

Can I pet a K9 dog on my site?

Only if the handler says so. A working dog should not be petted, fed or called, because it can distract the dog from its job.

What should I do if a dog bites me at work?

Get away from the dog, wash the wound with soap and warm water for at least 15 minutes, get medical care right away, and report it to your supervisor.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Working Around Security Dogs Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Under British Columbia's Security Services Regulation, what may a security dog be used for?

Finding people or things, and protecting the handler
Guarding a site alone after the handler goes home
Controlling a crowd at the gate of a concert
Chasing a person who runs off the property after a theft

Show answer

Answer: A. Finding people or things, and protecting the handler

Section 13 of the BC regulation allows dogs to detect people or things and to protect the licensee during a patrol or watch. It bans using dogs to control people or crowds or to pursue anyone.

Question 2 of 25

In British Columbia, when may a security business use dogs in its guard service?

Only if the registrar has authorized it
Whenever a client asks for a dog on site
As soon as the dog is one year old
Only during night shifts at industrial sites

Show answer

Answer: A. Only if the registrar has authorized it

Under section 13 of the BC Security Services Regulation, dogs may be used for security work only with the registrar's authorization, and only if they are trained for the work.

Question 3 of 25

A BC company wants to use a dog trained to seriously injure people. What does the regulation say?

A dog trained that way must not be used
It is allowed with the client's consent
It is allowed only at night
It is allowed if the dog wears a muzzle

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Answer: A. A dog trained that way must not be used

Section 13(6) of the BC Security Services Regulation says a dog trained to kill or seriously injure people or animals must not be used for security work.

Question 4 of 25

In British Columbia, who must be with a security dog while it works?

A police officer from the local detachment
A worker authorized to use dogs, who keeps it under control
Any licensed guard who happens to be working the same shift
The client's site manager or their delegate

Show answer

Answer: B. A worker authorized to use dogs, who keeps it under control

The BC regulation says a security dog must be accompanied by, and under the control of, a security worker who holds an authorization to use dogs.

Question 5 of 25

In British Columbia, what must a security dog's identification tag show?

The client's phone number
The name of the security business licensee
The handler's full name and home street address
The dog's date of birth

Show answer

Answer: B. The name of the security business licensee

Section 13(8) of the BC regulation requires the dog to wear a tag showing the name of the security business licensee.

Question 6 of 25

Under Ontario's rules, what must a guard or patrol dog wear on duty?

A bell so people can hear it coming
A fluorescent collar and an ID tag with the employer
A muzzle and a reflective vest marked SECURITY in red
A harness with the handler's licence number

Show answer

Answer: B. A fluorescent collar and an ID tag with the employer

Ontario says dogs used for guarding or patrolling must be on a leash and wear a fluorescent collar and an ID tag with the name of the guard's employer.

Question 7 of 25

In Ontario, what must an organization that uses security dogs have?

Permission from the local police chief
A veterinarian on site during each shift
A kennel built on every client's site for the dogs to rest
Written rules on how to care for and handle the dogs

Show answer

Answer: D. Written rules on how to care for and handle the dogs

Ontario requires organizations using dogs to have written rules and guidelines on caring for and handling them.

Question 8 of 25

Besides guarding and patrolling, what other uses of dogs does Ontario's regulation allow?

Clearing people out of a busy lobby
Tracking, such as for missing persons, and detection
Holding a suspect on the ground until the police arrive
Escorting trespassers off the property

Show answer

Answer: B. Tracking, such as for missing persons, and detection

Ontario's Use of Animals regulation allows dogs for tracking, such as finding missing persons, and for detection. Crowd control and restraining people are not allowed.

Question 9 of 25

What does a person need to work as a patrol dog handler in Alberta?

Nothing, if the dog is calm
A letter from a dog trainer
A security service worker licence
Only a dog licence from the city they live in

Show answer

Answer: C. A security service worker licence

Alberta lists patrol dog handler among the jobs that need a security service worker licence.

Question 10 of 25

In Alberta, a patrol dog bites its own handler while on duty. Must the licensee report it to the Registrar?

Only if a member of the public saw it
No, bites to handlers are never reported to anyone
Only if the handler misses a shift
Yes, the rule covers bites to the handler too

Show answer

Answer: D. Yes, the rule covers bites to the handler too

Alberta's policy manual says licensees must report any incident where a patrol dog attacked or bit a person, including the handler.

Question 11 of 25

How does Alberta's security policy manual describe a yard or watch dog?

A dog trained to find drugs at the border
A dog turned loose without a handler in a fully enclosed area
A dog that walks on a leash beside a licensed handler on patrol
A dog that helps a person with a disability

Show answer

Answer: B. A dog turned loose without a handler in a fully enclosed area

The manual describes yard or watch dogs as turned loose, without a handler, in a fully enclosed area, and notes the law does not license this group.

Question 12 of 25

What do Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) detector dogs search for?

Only lost luggage and missing travel documents at the airport
Only explosives on aircraft
Drugs, guns, money, and food, plant and animal products
People who have overstayed a visitor visa

Show answer

Answer: C. Drugs, guns, money, and food, plant and animal products

The CBSA says its detector dog teams find drugs, guns, money, and food, plant and animal products.

Question 13 of 25

A CBSA detector dog gives its handler a quiet, subtle signal beside a suitcase. What does this most likely mean?

The dog is about to bite the bag or the traveller
The dog wants the traveller to feed it
The dog may have found what it is trained to find
The dog is tired and needs a rest

Show answer

Answer: C. The dog may have found what it is trained to find

The CBSA trains its dogs to give a subtle signal to the handler when they detect contraband, instead of scratching, digging, biting or barking.

Question 14 of 25

A K9 handler and dog arrive at your post. What should you do before going near the dog?

Offer the dog a treat so it learns to trust you
Ask the handler and follow their instructions
Call the dog by its name so it comes over to you
Pat the dog on the head to say hello

Show answer

Answer: B. Ask the handler and follow their instructions

The handler controls the dog. Ask the handler first, as you would ask any owner, and never feed, call or pet a working dog without permission.

Question 15 of 25

A visitor wants to pet a patrol dog that is working. What should you say?

Go ahead, patrol dogs love people
Wait until the handler looks away
Please stay back; the handler decides
Pet it gently, but only on top of the head

Show answer

Answer: C. Please stay back; the handler decides

A working dog is under its handler's control. Ask people to keep back so they do not distract the dog, and let the handler decide.

Question 16 of 25

On patrol, a loose dog you do not know runs toward you. What should you do?

Crouch down and stare into its eyes
Stand still, stay calm and do not run
Wave your arms and shout at it
Turn and run back to your patrol vehicle

Show answer

Answer: B. Stand still, stay calm and do not run

Edmonton's dog bite guidance says to stand still, stay calm and be assertive, and never turn your back or run from the dog.

Question 17 of 25

Which of these is a stress sign that can come before a dog bites?

A loose, wagging body and soft eyes
Lying on its side to sleep
Raised hackles and licking its lips
Eating calmly from its bowl

Show answer

Answer: C. Raised hackles and licking its lips

Dogs usually warn first. Stress signs include raised hackles, lip or nose licking, yawning, panting, whale eye and ears held flat.

Question 18 of 25

A dog knocks you to the ground. What should you do?

Lie still on your back with arms out
Roll onto your back and kick at the dog's face
Lie face down and protect your head and ears
Sit up and try to grab its collar

Show answer

Answer: C. Lie face down and protect your head and ears

If you are knocked down, lie face down and protect your head and ears, as dog bite prevention guidance advises.

Question 19 of 25

A dog is about to attack and you are holding a backpack. What can help protect you?

Drop the backpack and run away
Hide the backpack behind your back
Give the dog the backpack to bite
Throw the backpack far away from you

Show answer

Answer: C. Give the dog the backpack to bite

Guidance says to give an attacking dog something to bite, such as a bag or jacket, or put a barrier between you and the dog.

Question 20 of 25

Which dog should you never approach on patrol?

A dog on a leash that its owner says is friendly
A dog that is tied up or alone in a vehicle
A dog sitting beside its owner, who says hello
A dog that its owner has invited you to greet

Show answer

Answer: B. A dog that is tied up or alone in a vehicle

Dog bite guidance says never to approach a dog that is tied up, in a vehicle, or without its owner.

Question 21 of 25

A dog bites your hand and breaks the skin. Once you are away from the dog, what should you do with the wound?

Rinse it for a few seconds, then ignore it
Wait a week to see if it gets infected
Cover it with tape and finish the rest of your shift first
Wash it with soap and warm water for at least 15 minutes

Show answer

Answer: D. Wash it with soap and warm water for at least 15 minutes

HealthLinkBC advises washing the wound with soap and warm water for at least 15 minutes, then getting medical care right away.

Question 22 of 25

Under section 445 of the Criminal Code, what is an offence?

Walking a dog without a leash in a city park
Wilfully injuring a dog kept for a lawful purpose
Bringing a pet dog into a shopping mall without asking first
Owning more than two dogs in one home

Show answer

Answer: B. Wilfully injuring a dog kept for a lawful purpose

Section 445 makes it an offence to wilfully and without lawful excuse kill, maim, wound, poison or injure dogs, birds or animals kept for a lawful purpose.

Question 23 of 25

How does section 445.01 of the Criminal Code define a 'law enforcement animal'?

Any dog owned by a security company and used on night patrol
A dog or horse trained to aid a law enforcement officer
Any animal that lives at a police station
Any dog that wears a work vest

Show answer

Answer: B. A dog or horse trained to aid a law enforcement officer

Section 445.01 defines a law enforcement animal as a dog or horse trained to aid a law enforcement officer in carrying out their duties.

Question 24 of 25

Which records must a BC security business keep about its dogs?

Each dog's training and certification, and each handler's
Photos of every place the dog visits
The names of everyone who pets the dog while it is working
Only the dogs' food receipts

Show answer

Answer: A. Each dog's training and certification, and each handler's

Section 13(9) of the BC regulation requires records of each dog's identifying marks, each dog's training and certification, and each handler's training and certification.

Question 25 of 25

In British Columbia, which business record covers an incident where a security dog attacked a person?

The visitor sign-in sheet
The vehicle maintenance log
The use-of-force report
The monthly payroll record

Show answer

Answer: C. The use-of-force report

Section 7 of the BC regulation requires use-of-force reports for incidents when force was used, including when a dog used for security work attacked a person.

Working Around Security Dogs Course 2026

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