Instructors: Joey Agustin & Scott Clark 

In this hands-on course, handlers and decoys work together in real-world training scenarios to build a K9’s confidence in apprehension. Decoys will learn proper bite placement, safe catch techniques, and movement strategies to ensure K9s remain injury-free while enhancing their effectiveness in the field. A skilled decoy is a critical component of a K9’s training, and this course will teach participants how to shape strong, clear-headed working dogs through expert decoy work.

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Instructors:Steve Stoops & Brian Greene 

This course is designed to further enhance the safety and effectiveness of SWAT K9 capabilities by teaching K9 teams the tools to successfully integrate into a tactical environment—both in training and real-world deployments—while mitigating risk to friendly elements. Handlers and tactical team members will train together to improve communication, operational obedience, and subject differentiation, ensuring K9s can work seamlessly within a team. Multiple real-world scenarios, including suspect apprehensions and building searches, will challenge teams to refine their tactics under pressure, increasing their efficiency and survivability in high-risk operations.

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Instructors: Rick Hogg 

K9 handlers must be prepared to engage threats while managing their partners, often leaving them with only one hand available to operate their firearm. This life-saving course focuses on one-handed shooting techniques, reinforcing marksmanship fundamentals, and stress-based training to improve reaction time and accuracy in high-risk situations. With instruction rooted in combat-proven techniques, this training enhances safety and survivability for both handlers and their K9s.

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Instructors: Paul Ludwig 

Real-world deployments are unpredictable. This course prepares K9 teams for high-pressure, rapidly evolving situations that demand quick decision-making and adaptability. Through hands-on scenario-based training, handlers and K9s will learn advanced deployment techniques such as targeted apprehensions, passive surrenders, proper removal strategies, and overcoming deployment failures. By refining communication, control, and adaptability, teams gain the tactical edge needed to operate effectively in high-risk environments.

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Instructors:Steve Stoops & Shannon Krieger 

This course sharpens K9 detection teams by improving clarity, precision, and communication in narcotics, explosives, or contraband detection work. Handlers will refine their leash handling, learn how to enhance their K9’s indication, optimize reward systems, and master search patterns to ensure peak performance. Each team will receive tailored feedback to address specific challenges, providing an opportunity to elevate their detection skills to the next level.

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Instructors: Dr. Erin Perry 

Every working dog is exposed to hazardous materials, whether on the streets, in disaster zones, or in search-and-rescue operations. This online course educates handlers on how to properly decontaminate their K9s after exposure to chemicals, toxins, and environmental hazards. Topics include risk assessment, immediate field decontamination, and long-term health considerations to ensure the safety of both the dog and handler. (2 CE credits)wer to the question here.

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Instructors: Philippi “Mountain” Sanz & Matt Williams 

Tracking is a vital skill that can mean the difference between life and death. This course teaches K9 teams the fundamentals of tracking, including scent work, proper leash handling, and navigating a variety of terrains. Handlers will learn to lay tracks, work through distractions, and effectively communicate with their dogs. Whether tracking a missing person or pursuing a dangerous suspect, this training builds proficiency and confidence in K9 teams.

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Instructors:Dr. Shannon Vawter

This hands-on course trains handlers to provide life-saving first aid to their K9 partners. Topics include managing trauma, stabilizing injuries, wound packing, heat exhaustion treatment, and emergency evacuation techniques. After classroom instruction, students will apply these skills in realistic, scenario-based training exercises. Handlers will leave with the confidence and knowledge to provide critical medical care when every second counts.

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Instructors: Deana Hudgins, Nick Fathergill, Kathleen Kelsey, Athena Haus, Tom Haus 

This course offers six unique full-body search scenarios, including shoreline, vehicle, and wide-area searches. Handlers can choose to work blind or known exercises while receiving expert feedback from seasoned HRD instructors. Participants will refine their search strategy briefings, execute searches, and analyze results to improve their effectiveness in the field.

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Instructors:Deana Hudgins, Nick Fathergill, Kathleen Kelsey, Athena Haus, Tom Haus 

Designed for active water search teams, this three-day course provides real-world and certification scenarios in both still and moving water environments. Handlers will conduct extended blind and known searches from both shorelines and boats, learning specialized techniques for locating human remains in water.

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Instructors:Deana Hudgins, Nick Fathergill, Kathleen Kelsey, Athena Haus, Tom Haus

Focusing on advanced scent work, this course trains teams to locate buried human remains. Participants will refine their ability to read K9 alerts, work through challenging soil conditions, and develop a systematic search strategy for forensic and recovery operations.

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This course exposes K9 teams to the complexities of locating human remains in fire scenes. Exercises include working with burned human remains, accelerant detection, and overcoming distractions such as food, animal remains, and household debris. Handlers will train on both small-scale burn exercises and large-structure burn sites.

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Instructors:Deana Hudgins, Nick Fathergill, Kathleen Kelsey, Athena Haus, Tom Haus

This two-day workshop prepares teams to locate human remains in active crime scenes while preserving forensic evidence. Handlers will work through building searches, vehicle searches, and wilderness recovery operations, focusing on detecting trace odors, bone fragments, and blood evidence.

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Instructors:Deana Hudgins, Nick Fathergill, Kathleen Kelsey, Athena Haus, Tom Haus

K9 teams will work through progressive distraction exercises, starting in controlled environments such as lineups and moving into full search scenarios in buildings, vehicles, and wilderness settings. This course focuses on troubleshooting distraction issues before, during, and after search operations to strengthen a K9’s focus on target odor.

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Instructors:Deana Hudgins, Nick Fathergill, Kathleen Kelsey, Athena Haus, Tom Haus, Jordan Ballard (Crystal Clear K9), Genevive Ballard (Crystal Clear K9)

This intensive training prepares K9 teams for search-and-rescue operations in disaster environments. Handlers will train in complex urban terrain, learning to navigate obstacles and enhance their K9’s ability to detect and alert in high-stress, confined spaces. This course is critical for teams responding to natural disasters, collapsed structures, and mass casualty events.

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