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Thank you to everyone who cares for animals | Together we protect every small life Support now Charity licence no.: 91/12132

AAWF 亞洲動物福利基金會
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Asia Animal Welfare Foundation

Training team

More than a rescue. A home for every life.

Our trainers

Professional trainers who help you understand your dog

Our trainers train rescued dogs and teach students, adopters and the public how to care for and handle dogs properly, so every human–dog relationship gets a good start.

  • Ben Lam with a Belgian Malinois by a lake

    Mr Ben Lam

    Chief Trainer | Ben K9 Academy

    Trained under Wong Wai Kwok, Head of Training at the North American Working Dog Association (Far East), and Malaysian trainer Michael Lee. He is currently Head of Training (Hong Kong) for both the North American Working Dog Association (Far East) and the China, Hong Kong & Macau Pet Trade Association, and holds an IGP trainer certificate from the China Working Dog Association.

    • Former instructor of the Nanjing Metro Police Dog Unit and lecturer for Jiangsu provincial police dog units
    • Former narcotics and explosives detection instructor for the Taichung City Police Dog Unit
    • Former training lecturer and consultant for the Macau Animal Welfare Society
    • Former one-year IGP training lecturer for a Hong Kong youth non-profit
    • Dogs he has trained have appeared in films and TV programmes
    Facebook page
  • Super Cheung with a German Shepherd

    Super Cheung

    Senior Trainer | Super Dog Training Workshop

    A student of Ben Lam since 2008 and a trainer with the North American Working Dog Association (Far East). He has deep experience with the training systems used by renowned European trainers and is often invited to give training talks.

    • Head of training at a non-profit drug rehabilitation organisation for over 10 years
    • Former trainer at a Hong Kong dog boarding club
    • Completed a narcotics detection dog course in Yunnan
    • Twice certified in workshops by German trainer Anja Jogi Zank Herrmann and Malaysian trainer Michael Lee
    • Attended IGP and protection dog workshops by two-time German BSP champion Dirk Edler and earned a German training certificate
    Facebook page

What our trainers offer

  • Public training talks

    Talks for dog owners and the public on dog behaviour, communication and positive reinforcement training.

  • Adopter training

    Practical guidance before and after adoption to help new families and dogs settle in together.

  • Student practicum

    Trainers guide students in handling rescued dogs, learning techniques through practice.

  • School and organisation workshops

    Workshops for schools, companies and community groups that promote humane treatment of animals.

Poster for the Foundation Certificate in Dog Obedience and Sport, showing a Belgian Malinois holding a training dumbbell

Training courses

A clear learning path from beginner to professional

Courses are organised by Ben K9 Academy and co-organised by the North American Working Dog Association (Far East) and the China, Hong Kong & Macau Pet Trade Association. Start by building a bond, and step by step become a trainer who truly understands dogs.

  1. Foundation Certificate in Dog Obedience and Sport

    A carefully designed systematic course that builds a stronger bond with your dog, so handler and dog work as one.

  2. Advanced Systematic Training (Obedience) · One year

    Students graduate only after passing every handling and training assessment; trainers keep following up with those who haven't yet reached the standard.

  3. Advanced Trainer Course / Sport Dog Trainer Course

    For students who want to become professional trainers or enter the world of dog sports.

Organiser: Ben K9 Academy

Co-organisers: North American Working Dog Association (Far East) · China, Hong Kong & Macau Pet Trade Association

Ask about courses
Outdoor grass training ground with training equipment
Outdoor training ground
Students and trainers in front of a North American Working Dog Association (Far East) banner
Students and trainers of the North American Working Dog Association (Far East)
Two students in teal uniforms and a trainer holding Advanced Systematic Training certificates on the grass

Student achievements

Congratulations to our Advanced Systematic Training (Obedience) graduate

Congratulations to this student on completing the one-year Advanced Systematic Training (Obedience) course and passing every handling and training assessment!

"It doesn't matter if it took a little longer. Seeing you truly put what you learned into practice is the best feeling. Keep going!"

— Chief Trainer

Our graduation standard

  • Attendance alone doesn't earn a certificate

    Students must truly master and apply what they learn and pass every handling and training assessment to receive a certificate.

  • A one-year systematic course

    Step by step, students master every part of obedience handling.

  • Trainers follow up until you graduate

    If a student hasn't reached the standard when the course ends, trainers keep following up until they truly can and graduate.

Ask about advanced courses

Graduate wall

Congratulations to every certified student

Every certificate means the student has truly mastered and passed every handling and training assessment. We applaud your effort and perseverance!

6 students certified
Students holding certificates in a group photo with trainers on the training ground at night
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
25 August 2024

Graduating class · Handler and dog, certified together

Students and their dogs completed training and assessment together. Behind every smile are countless evenings of hard work on the training ground.

The 25 August 2024 graduating class with trainers and dogs on the training ground
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified
A student holding a certificate with two trainers at the training ground
Assessment passed · Certified

Industry recognition

Ben Lam appointed Head of Training (Hong Kong)

Nominated by the joint committee of the North American Working Dog Association (Far East) and the China, Hong Kong & Macau Pet Trade Association, Ben Lam was appointed Head of Training (Hong Kong) for both associations, receiving the appointment at CIPS 2025, the 29th China International Pet Show.

Group photo of members of the North American Working Dog Association (Far East) and the China, Hong Kong & Macau Pet Trade Association at CIPS 2025
On-stage appointment ceremony at CIPS 2025, with appointees holding their letters
Letter of appointment as Head of Training (Hong Kong) issued to Ben Lam by the two associations

Teaching record · 23 February 2023

Nanjing Metro Police Dog Unit training

From classroom theory to field drills: explaining learning principles such as positive and negative reinforcement, then scent discrimination and search training by tracks, stations and vehicles.

Ben Lam explaining the four quadrants of operant conditioning at a whiteboard
A search dog training beside railway sleepers
A small search dog doing scent discrimination among a row of stainless steel scent cans
A search dog checking a vehicle's tyres
A search dog patrolling a metro station with its handler

Professional milestones

  1. 23 February 2023 | Nanjing

    Teaching the Nanjing Metro Police Dog Unit

    Ben Lam taught training theory such as operant conditioning to the Nanjing Metro Police Dog Unit and led practical search training on tracks, vehicles and stations.

  2. The training team in front of the backdrop at the Jockey Club Tuen Mun Public Riding School open day

    10 November 2024 | Tuen Mun

    Working dog demonstration at the Hong Kong Jockey Club 140th anniversary open day

    Invited to give heelwork, obedience and protection demonstrations to the public at the open day of the Jockey Club Tuen Mun Public Riding School.

  3. July 2025 | Nanjing

    Invited to teach at a police dog institute course

    Mr Yin Huagang was invited by the Police Dog Institute of Nanjing Police University (formerly the Ministry of Public Security Nanjing Police Dog Research Institute) to teach a "Xiasi dog" training and field application course with his dog, raising training standards for local working dogs.

  4. 2025 | CIPS 2025

    Appointed Head of Training (Hong Kong)

    Nominated by the joint committee of the North American Working Dog Association (Far East) and the China, Hong Kong & Macau Pet Trade Association, Ben Lam was appointed Head of Training (Hong Kong) for both associations.

  5. The future

    Bringing expertise to Asia's first smart eco animal education centre

    We will apply our working dog expertise to behaviour rehabilitation for rescued dogs, public education and trainer development.

  • Jointly nominated by two industry associations

  • Leading professional training in Hong Kong

  • Bringing international working dog standards to Hong Kong

Partnership enquiries
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