Brian Burdette *

Class: Basic Training Introduction and E-Collar Basics

 

Discuss basic commands, escape training versus avoidance training.

Covers the three action introduction which properly prepares a dog to understand electrical stimulation in training.

 

 

Scott Clark - High Drive K-9 *

Class: “Building Search Deployments: Building a Street Beasts”

 

High Drive K-9 has created an honest, explosive, disciplined class dealing solely with K-9 engagement issues, relating to K-9 Bite Building and Problem-Solving strategies dealing with building search deployments.

 

Bob Eden - KATS K9 Platinum*

Class: Managing Extreme Bite Behavior

 

In recent decades, law enforcement has seen an increase in the number of dogs brought into training that exhibit extreme resistance to the traditional methods of corrective training.  One major problem many agencies face is that of extreme bite behavior. The dog refuses to release a bite in training regardless of whether it be on a bite sleeve or a bite suit, resulting in the inability of the dog to pass certification and this issue often transforms to similar issues in street performance. These extended contacts by the dog result in extensive and sometimes unnecessary injury to suspects, which in turn increases officer, supervisory and agency liability.  As trainers, historically we have resorted to traditional corrective measures which often result in little or no solution, short term solutions, or often exacerbate the problem. This class will give you insight as to what is happening with the dog physiologically, and the internal conflicts the dog is dealing with that interferes with successful training, and options to overcome those conflicts. Understanding how hormones are affecting the dogs thinking and ability to perform, and how traditional training methods increase steroid hormones that exacerbate the issues will give you new insight as to how to overcome these significant training problems, build a better bond with your dog, and get the responsive performance you need out of your dog both in training and on the street in high stress situations.  This lecture dovetails into Eden’s K9 Learning Concepts and Problem Solving class and philosophies.

 

 

Ricky Farley - Alabama Canine Law Enforcement Training Center 

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Class: Muzzle Fighting

 

This class will start from the beginning on how to enhance your canine’s genetic fight drive through muzzle training.  Teaching your dog that the fight is with the man and not the equipment will make for a much more reliable street ready partner. 

 

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:  Why muzzle train?

Advantages to muzzle training are …

1. Combats equipment fixations

2. Enhances genetic fight drive

3. Safely re-enact any street scenario

4. Picture training – Showing the dogs different situations that are normal to us but abnormal to him.  Once your canine learns to not question what the agitator or agitators are doing or what they are wearing but is only to go do his job then we have a K-9 that will perform on the street.

 

This is a highly sought-after class for specialized K-9 Units throughout the world

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Bradley Gillespie *

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​Class: K9 Team Operational Optimization Training :

“ Train the dog, Train the handler, Train the team”

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Often in Police K9 training, the dog training occupies the vast majority or all of the training time. Training blocks are focussed on dog training / conditioning / behavioural issues and the rest of the team is left behind. Operational employment of a K9 team fundamentally is about decision making of the handler, conditioning of the dog and operationally relevant skill sets of the team. The key to complex and difficult situations is mastery of fundamental skills. Too often the term reality based training is used to represent training that has nothing to do with operational realities. Brad will discuss techniques to assess what the operational outcomes and objectives are and how to establish a training program that develops not only the dog, but the handler and the team.

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James Ljunggren

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Class: Explosives Odor Imprinting and Post Blast Operations for the K9 Handler

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This training program is designed to provide participants with the knowledge of explosive odor imprinting of detection canines with the correct energetic materials to enhance the effectiveness and capabilities of their canine teams. The training allows the handlers to understand the science involved and the ability to locate target odors during a canine search operation. This program also enhances the canine handler’s knowledge of how to search for and locate secondary devices in the post-blast area.

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Michele N Maughan CTR USARMY CCDC CBC

 

Weird Science: A 12-Step Program

 

Class Description:

This class will cover the basic science of canine olfaction as it relates to detection work, what we've learned about maintaining training aids, and ways to enhance your training and operations. Handlers will learn specifically about:

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• Odor basics & K9 Olfaction

• Factors that Affect Odor Availability and Odor Profiles

• The balance between generalization and discrimination

• Training aid handling, care, and contamination

• Outcomes of Department of Defense K9 Studies​​

 

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JC Richardson - Delmarva K9 *

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Class: Patrol Mechanics*

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Learn how to identify the needs for your patrol teams

Learn techniques on how to train for your geographical area

Learn training techniques to train the outs and recalls.

Learn when and when not to utilize the power of reward for patrol

Learn how adding stress into training will help you on the street

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Justin Rigney - K9 Services Unlimited *

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Class: Powerbiting 

 

“Power Biting” is a combination of training techniques which has been systematically designed to enhance your K-9 partner’s bite, while greatly reducing the risk of injury during intense training for the dog as well as the decoy. There are many benefits to employing this system such as; increased depth and bite pressure, reduction/elimination of handler conflict, stops transfer bites, greater speed of entry, reflex response to pressure, improved targeting and tremendous cardiovascular conditioning.

 

Paul Shaughnessy - Excel K9 Services

 

Class: K-9 Selection, Imprinting, Search Patterns, Communications & Full Overview of Starting & Finishing a Detection K-9   

   

This class will include teaching the dog to conduct a productive search pattern during each deployment through the use of training aid placement. We cover the use of different leashes, equipment, distractor odors / negative training aids. This is set up as an interactive powerpoint with videos, a question / answer time and a seven page handout.

 

 

Howard Young - White Beard K9 Inc.*

 

Class: On Your Mark

 

Trainers and handlers frequently mark behaviors unknowingly. The focus of this class is to understand the power of marking and reinforcing behaviors we desire in our k9’s. The power of the marker is vitally important in building a solid foundation, but also throughout the dog’s career. Marking the right behavior doesn’t just apply to detection.

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John Howard - Kinetic Performance Dog Food*

 

Class: Feeding the Working K9 Overview

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Feeding the Working K9 is a fast paced, interactive class that teaches the student how to read a nutritional label, what to look for in key ingredients, how to tell a good working dog food from a bargain brand, how do minerals and vitamins get depleted in a K9, replenishing and recovery needs of a performance.

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Eric Stanbro and Ted Summers - VanEssK9 & Torchlight K9 *

 

Class: Building the Street Dog Through Scenarios

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The importance of doing various training scenarios to make your K9 partner street ready

 

 

Todd Wilber ​ - Precision Explosives

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Class: Primary explosives and HME explosive compounds and related safety.

 

This will include peroxide based threats and compositions.  We will cover past, present and future threats, the means of building the explosives and the safe handling of the materials for training. ⠀

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ROBIN GREUBEL

 

FINE TUNING THE TRAINED FINAL RESPONSE Leave this talk with an understanding of the dance between timing, criteria and rate of reinforcement and how your observation and mechanical skills are crucial to getting the behavior you want.

 

THE FOUR ‘D’S OF DETECTION WORK Incrementally increasing your distance, duration, difficulty and distraction in your search chain is as easy as a nursery rhyme. Leave this talk with concrete steps to develop training plans and scenarios to cement your detection work.
 

EVAN NOLTE AND PAUL FEDYNIAK

 

Course Topics:

Basic K9 exam and vital signs

 

Canine Individual First Aid Kit Contents - when and how to apply these contents in the field.

 

Canine CPR and when to use Narcan

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Michael Kmiecik *

 

Canine Legal Updates:  Patrol Dogs

 This block of instruction will focus on criminal and civil litigation related to police service patrol apprehension dogs.  Specific attention will be placed on use of force and current trends throughout the United States Court of Appeals.

 Canine Legal Updates:  Narcotic-contraband Detection Dogs

 This block of instruction will focus on criminal and civil litigation related to narcotic-contraband detection dogs.  Specific attention will be placed on current trends throughout The Supreme Court and The United States Court of Appeals.ca

 

CAMERON FORD *

 

Class: Odor Pays: This class covers the how to start dogs in detection work and use “Delayed Conditioning” which is the Key component of making odor higher value and the ONLY pathway to reward and reinforcement.  This class will cover the mechanics, communication and step by step method from starting and conditioning a dog on odor.  We will also cover how to maintain your dog and going even further to fully prepare you to meet the new higher levels of scrutiny and evaluations K9 teams face today.

 

Carlos Ramirez *

 

This course covers an instructional breakdown of operant and classical conditioning which is crucial for successful development. Carlos will discuss how to develop skills with proactive and reactive dogs through properly timed cues and markers that will help patrol dogs develop exceptional technique, grip and drive while explaining how to be your dog’s battle buddy rather than his enemy during bitework sessions. Carlos will also discuss how to evaluate your dog, establish a baseline, and develop a training plan to take both your handling and decoy techniques to the next level.

 

Doug Wannemacher *

Building search / Tactics 

 

Learning to modularly train building search from beginning to end including imprinting the alert behavior of human odor as well as teaching a consistent trained final response, all while incorporating tactics that will save lives.

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Dave Wynne

 

CLASS DESCRIPITION

 

WAYS TO IMPROVE THE K-9 TEAMS ABILITY TO TRACK ON OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENTS. 

 

This class is designed to identify numerous ways handlers can improve their tracking capabilities whilst tracking on operational deployments. This class will discuss line handling techniques, line pressure, reading your dogs indications on tracks, casting patterns, hard surface tracking, cross tracks, scent discrimination and much more. 

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Brad Smith

 

High Risk K9 Patrol Operations and K9 SWAT Deployment - S.K.I.D.D.S. / CATS 

 

For those that have a misconception as to how beneficial K9’s can be in a high-risk patrol operation or to a SWAT team this class is for you.  We encourage all patrol officers, military, SWAT and supervisors to attend this class.  You will learn how to utilize your dog to find the suspect quicker, yet safer, while maintaining your tactical advantage and officer safety.  

We will discuss what to look for during your selection of a Tactical Patrol dog or SWAT dog as well as the handler.  Learn how a properly trained patrol dog and the handler can be utilized during a in a high-risk patrol deployment or SWAT operation when it comes to tracking, barricaded suspects, approaches, entries, blind corners, room clearing, hallways, stairs, attics, crawl spaces, vehicle assaults, arrest techniques and even in a gas environment.  

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Danny Parker - Vohne Liche Kennels

 

Class: Obedience to Odor

 

This class will take handlers deeper into why detection dogs do what they do. Ken will delve into what “drives” are and how they are utilized. The term obedient to odor refers to the dog understanding that odor drives the reward, not the handler. This fast pace class will cover everything from odor imprintation, to reward, to search patterns and the why’s behind each of these components of detection dog training.  Not only is this class highly entertaining, but most of all, it is highly informative.

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TODD MONA

Class Description:  “Increasing Hunt Drive while Expanding the Building Search”

 

Through achieving many apprehensions and successful non contact apprehensions (alert/surrender), on high risk building search deployments and burglaries in progress, Todd has come up with a system designed to increase your K9s hunt drive to search more intensely, proficiently and help prepare and dominate the encounter with suspects.  It allows the handler and back up team to remain safe.

 

Mike McHenry

1. How to select a canine for police work , do', don'ts , things to consider and do,

 

 2. Canine Supervisor do's, don'ts, compensation time, liability, records keeping, and more

 

PAT NOLAN 

Leading edge training combined with modern electronic equipment offers non-line of sight directional capabilities for working canines.

This class will cover 

• Conditioning Cues or “Markers” to improve communication, speed learning and reduce conflict in training.

• Training in Drive; done properly you can build speed and power in your dog’s responses without sacrificing control.

• E-collar conditioning to Push for desired behavior

• Introducing the radio and camera skills for remote detection and surveillance work.

 

Scott Lockerman

 

𝙎𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖 & 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨 

 

How to effectively use social media and leadership tactics in building public relations, communicating, and coaching and developing those around you.

 

Mike Garber

 

𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨: 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙆9 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 & 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮

 

This will cover everything from start to finish with a K9 Units funding. The sad truth is the majority of our K9 teams are not budgeted, but funded by our own fundraising and community support. Managing your K9 unit financially can be just as important as how you deploy on the street to keep the program a success. Your fundraising provides training and equipment vital to your success. This course will cover set up, funds, 501c3’s, fundraising ideas, merchandising, community donations (how and where to get them), websites, online stores, social media, protecting the money and building better financial backing for your program. Fundraising and “friend-raising” are the best things for your program to be a success.

 

AARON TAYLOR

 

Advanced e-collar implementation to reduce conflict, reduce friction, and to establish true communication. 

 

Ridgeside K9 is a collective group of prior police K9 trainers, military K9 trainers and some world class civilian trainers that have developed an ecollar system designed to take away friction, take away conflict, and create a true communication with the dog based on behavioral response - not compliance based on the handlers presence. Ridgeside K9 has trained in excess of 10,000 dogs on this system including patrol dogs, single purpose odor dogs, protection dogs, hunting dogs, and thousands upon thousands of house pets. Ridgeside K9 specializes in aggression control and the use of an ecollar in true behavior modification application. Clarity of task is missed in 90% of most training evolutions and the fall back is often pressure, more pressure, extreme pressure - and then wash the dog out, blame the handler, the kennel, etc etc - all while the issue was most likely a simple communication issue created by overwhelming pressure while the dog is nothing more than simply confused. Right now the police K9 industry struggles on true implementation of the ecollar past the basic "hard headed dog, bring out the double-box, we need the hammer, the ecollar will fix the out". Obedience based on handler presence will always fail when choice is an option, compliance based on handler presence will always fail when equipment is not present, and redirection and accidental bites will always happen when the dog pairs the handler to the correction. Our system was established to deal with truly dangerous dogs that we train on a daily basis. Think how much stress would be reduced if your police K9 had avoidance of a negative based on the dogs behavioral understanding and not the presence of or the emotional state of the handler which always equals confusion. Higher drive the better! 

 

Class structure: (ecollar is worked into every aspect of this)

- Intro

- Communication (How dogs truly think and communicate)

- How dogs think and learn

- Marker training / Luring / Shaping / Free shaping (use of ecollar during this)

- Feeding

- Corrections. How corrections are associated to either behavior of the dog or presence of the handler)

- Management of the dog and aggression

- Drive in dogs and how to manage drive

- Rewards

- Problem solving

- Structure and Consistency

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