Both Working Dog & Classroom Training

Steve Colburn

This course will provide a basic overview of scent discriminate tracking/trailing principles to help handlers improve their urban tracking. The course will cover the need to understand the negative and will provide lectures along with hands-on training in urban tracking/trailing environments. We will also cover lost track drills in urban areas and will deliver steps to build scent discrimination principles into your tracking program. Participants should have a basic tracking foundation with their canine. Please note this is not a one day start to finish program and will provide a basic overview of scent discrimination.

Ian Donovan

The key role nutrition plays in fueling your K9 partner for mental and physical performance, healing and recovery. 

Howard Young

A frequently asked question is, how can I ensure that my dog will engage a suspect when the time arises? Conventional wisdom suggests that preparing your dog for real world engagements involves a myriad of activities in order to remove any confusion for the dog. If we have done our due diligence and selected the right dog for the job we must prepare the dog for battle. There are no shortcuts and it’s never just one thing that gets the job done. In this class Howard will share a recipe to prepare your dog for real world engagement. Note….the class explores a variety of techniques. In this industry many things are ever evolving, but many times techniques are cyclical and have a way of coming back around again. Whether the technique is “new” or simply a “rebranded technique” it’s imperative that it’s done to fidelity.  

Eric Stanbo

I break down things you’re doing on and off duty that’s creating conflict between you and your k9 partner. I discuss using the e Collar to fix issues created by poor e Collar usage. Finally we deep dive in fixing your dogs “sticky” out. 

Ron Cloward

This course will provide handlers and trainers a highly productive training plan through the use of a muzzle. We will cover a brief history of the muzzle and its early uses in the United States. We will go over the need for balance in the muzzle from playing ball to obedience, searching, tracking, man work, and tactical training drills that will enhance overall obedience when working in a tactical stack. The muzzle is a tool like any other that if it is used right it will have a positive impact on teams, and build a stronger team. The muzzle will also help build younger dogs that have the character and behaviors for police work, but it will also identify those who do not. I think everyone will find some value in this course.

Michael Nezbeth

This immersive class delves into the parallels between human cognition and the keen instincts of canines, offering practical techniques to analyze, strategize, and solve challenges systematically. From understanding the psychology of problem-solving to leveraging intuition and applying structured methodologies, participants will engage in discussions to hone their critical thinking skills.

Steve Stoops  

When training working dogs, it is vital to teach the dog that the Man" is primary. The dog must learn that although the equipment such as sleeves and suits play an important role in his initial training, it is equally important for him to understand that they are not immune to negative stimulus from the adversary. A decoy needs equipment to train the dog, a  "Nemesis" teaches the dog that it is in his best interest to confront and engage a gear free human, and dominate. In this training we will draw a distinct delineation between a "decoy" and the "Nemesis. The gear free, motionless human is the most common adversary for a Police Dog. The goal of this course is to share techniques with k9 professionals that were garnered from real world encounters, so that they can better prepare young dogs for actual deployments. A decoy is a fun "Punching Bag".  With proper training, the young dog will learn that he will have fun and be successful engaging a gear free and unanimated  suspect.

Jeff Meyer

Police Patrol Dogs handlers face two common issues in modern policing. Addressing these issues through education, proper dog training and sound tactics can be key components to a successful outcome. In this new HITS presentation, Jeff will discuss “Chasing the Bite and Letting the Dog Dictate the Tactics”. Jeff’s presentation works through the manifestation of these phenomenon, how they perpetuate and most importantly, the steps you can take to avoid the costly and sometimes deadly issues surrounding them. 

Gary Hadden 

• Students will know why K9 detection to Fentanyl and Fentanyl laced drugs are a vital part of the war on drug trafficking.
•  How to effectively utilize your k9 partner in a safe and effective manner.
• Safety measures in imprinting, training, and certifying.
• How to testify, reference “unintended imprintation”
• Utilizing the k9 in an interdiction program as part of the overall strategy to reduce the flow of illegal drugs and drug proceeds.
• Filing Charges and testimony
• Educating Handlers, Trainers, C0-workers, and Prosecutors
• Pill Mills (fake vs. real)
• Scenario Based Training (Traffic Stops, Training at active facilities)
• Learn from Mistakes (Train to correct them)
• Prepping Vehicles
• Reports Matching Video
• Certifications (Internal, External, Single-Blind or Double Blind)
• Defense Experts
• Interior Vehicle K9 searches?
• Fentanyl and Xylazine
• Currency