Handler Schools
We offer K9 detection handler courses for a variety of detection disciplines. These courses are offered for groups and individuals in 4, 6 and 8 week formats. Our Handler courses feature a comprehensive array of topics meant to prepare you and your K9 for certification, deployment and beyond.
We offer handler courses for the following disciplines:
- Human Remains Detection (HRD)
- Explosives and firearms detection
- Conservation detection
- Narcotics detection
- Bedbug and termite detection
Each handler course is specifically constructed for your K9 team’s discipline. Individual handler courses are appropriate for any skill level, from brand new dog-handler teams through handlers working dogs who are ready to certify.
Classroom units
Our detection dog handler courses include classroom units on the following topics:
- Basics of learning theory and reinforcement optimization in dogs
- Foundational dog behavior
- Understanding dog body language
- Foundational odor theory and movement patterns
- Understanding canine olfactory processes and their relation to detection work
- Building obedience and environmental stability
- Specific classes related to your discipline
- Basic K9 First Aid
- Search strategy development
- Record keeping
Hands-on modules
The hands-on portions of our handler courses include:
- Basics of on and off-leash handling
- How to avoid cuing your K9 during training and operational searches
- How to recognize important changes in your K9’s behavior
- Effective reinforcement
- Searching blanks
- Conducting known and blind training exercises
- Building search strategies
- Searching real world environments (indoor and outdoor)
- Understanding and troubleshooting relevant K9 behavioral concerns
- Preparing for certification and deployment
- Decontaminating your K9 (discipline specific)
- Building deployment protocols
- Working around distractions
If you will be training your own detection dog, we will also include training specific to the skills which your K9 will require to be effective in their work. This may include building search duration and searching patterns, proofing, indication mastery and more.
Our handler courses will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your K9 and how to be the most effective handler team possible. We train on real target odors as much as possible to ensure that your K9 is reliably hitting on accurate VOC profiles.
Handler course durations
4 week programs are most appropriate for handlers whose K9s are trained to respond to a single odor in similar types of environments, or handlers who have already taken a handler course and are looking to learn specific skills.
6 week programs are most appropriate for handlers whose K9s are trained to respond to multiple odors (e.g. narcotics, explosives, HRD) in a variety of environments. Our 6 week course is appropriate for individuals purchasing a detection K9 from us or those who are bringing their own detection dog.
8 week programs are most appropriate for individuals bringing their own partially trained or untrained detection dog to us. The additional time ensures that we can make maximum progress during your time with us.
On-site housing is available for all handlers.
If you are interested in a private detection dog handler course, we can customize your program to fit your needs. If you are interested in obtaining or training a detection K9 in a discipline not specified above, please contact us directly to discuss specifics.