The Police K9 Training Podcast with Jeff Meyer

Host Jeff Meyer returns solo on this episode of the Police Canine Training Podcast to discuss a critical but often overlooked topic: training scars. With no guests on the show, Jeff defines what a training scar is, why it develops in both dogs and handlers, and how these unintended habits reduce operational effectiveness by making teams respond to training patterns instead of real-life variables. The episode covers concrete examples of common dog training scars — such as dogs pacing alongside fleeing suspects, leaving prone passive subjects, and expecting artificial cues (making noise or visual signals) during patrol work — and handler training scars like immediately approaching a contacted suspect instead of moving to cover or failing to rehearse crisis decision-making. Jeff lays out practical fixes and training strategies: incorporate muzzle work and prone passive scenarios, change up repetitive drills, create decision-making and scenario-based training that forces handlers and dogs to adapt, practice crisis rehearsals and cover movement, and involve the whole training group in designing challenging evolutions. He also recommends reviewing videos of real incidents to analyze mistakes and then applying those lessons to your training plan.   To contact Jeff Meyer, email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/           

On this episode of the Police K9 Training Podcast host Jeff Meyer speaks with Jake Skifsted, founder of the nonprofit Shield 616. Jake shares the origin of the organization after his experiences responding to active shooter events in Colorado Springs and explains how Shield 616 rapidly grew into a nationwide mission to provide life-saving equipment and community support to first responders.   Listeners hear specifics about the Colorado K9 Conference in mid-June, including Shield 616’s special event: a Topgolf tournament and dinner on June 16th provided through donations for conference attendees. J   To contact Jeff Meyer, email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/           

Host Jeff Meyer sits down with Steve Colburn to explore two practical, field‑proven approaches for improving police K9 teams: a structured treadmill conditioning program and regular double‑blind training days. Expect an in‑depth look at why conditioning matters, how to implement treadmill work safely and effectively, and how double‑blind exercises both test and teach handlers and dogs.   To contact Jeff Meyer, email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net   To Contact Steve, email him at steve.colburn@cityofloveland.org    Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________           Online Class Click Here      k-9services.com _____________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/       

In this episode host Jeff Meyer welcomes veteran trainer Howard Young back to preview his "Effective Engagement" station at the Colorado K9 Conference and share practical, street-tested canine training advice. Howard describes how he transitions dogs from controlled training into real-world police work using exercises that expose dogs to unusual stimuli without over-relying on bite suits.   To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________           Online Class Click Here      k-9services.com _____________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/       

Join host Jeff Meyer and guest Eric Stanbro as they preview the Colorado K9 Conference in Colorado Springs (June) and dive into practical, street‑tested K9 training.  Eric explains his updated "e‑collar without conflict" approach: using the tone as a negative marker, long‑tone recalls versus short‑tone leaves, and the new "tone precursor" (tone → move → release) and "tone sandwich" (tone, stim, tone) techniques to reduce handler redirects and keep dogs focused. He also reviews the "power of twos" (correct the first response, pay the second) to eliminate lingering and cheap shots during bite work.   To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________           Online Class Click Here      k-9services.com _____________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/       

In this episode Jeff Meyer welcomes Mike Nesbeth to preview his keynote at the upcoming Colorado K9 Conference. He discusses his long-time passion project breeding and raising Malinois (one to two litters a year), the advantages of raising dogs locally (complete life-history, tailored police-dog preparation), and why North American production differs from large European kennels. Key training philosophies covered: prioritize horsepower before brakes, avoid making puppies "sticky" to handlers, and build innate curiosity and hunt value early. Mike outlines progressive training stages and ages: early loose food-luring and weight gain, marker/clicker work and shaping targeted behaviors around 8–12 weeks, building duration for hunting and tracking through many reps, and introducing leash/e‑collar pressure later (commonly around one year) applied to pre-shaped, away-from-handler behaviors. He explains why detection and patrol skill development overlap (hide-and-seek and building-search games early) and stresses that detection success often hinges on commitment and hunt duration rather than just early obedience.     To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________           Online Class Click Here      k-9services.com _____________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/       

Join Jeff Meyer and Jay Crafter for a deep dive into tracking. Topics covered include: Jay’s path into tracking and conservation; procuring and selecting dogs; handler selection and development; planning realistic training that fits limited resources; real-world operational challenges (armed poaching patrols, dangerous field conditions, language and cultural differences}.   To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________           Online Class Click Here      k-9services.com _____________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/                 

In this episode Jeff Meyer interviews Gord McGinnis, a veteran K9 trainer from Metro Vancouver, about decades of police canine experience and a pivotal real-world incident that prompted a scientific study on explosive-detection generalization.    To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________           Online Class Click Here      k-9services.com _____________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/                 

In this episode host Jeff Meyer sits down with Mike Kmiecik of Sheepdog Guardian for a wide-ranging interview that pulls back the curtain on canine case law research, jurisdiction-specific training, and running a national K9 education business. Mike shares his path from 28 years in law enforcement — nearly 20 years as a working K9 handler — to inheriting and expanding Terry Fleck’s legal research platform and turning it into a practical resource for handlers and attorneys. The episode weaves in personal perspective: Mike’s early interest in policing, his long career as a handler, the difficulty of balancing family life with the demands of K9 work, and the decision to retire from patrol to pursue training full time.    To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________           Online Class Click Here      k-9services.com _____________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/                 

Join host Jeff Meyer and guest Jack Schonely (retired LAPD helicopter instructor/pilot and former K9 handler) for a practical, real‑world conversation about integrating drones K9 teams. Jack brings a unique perspective from years on the ground working a dog and in the air as a tactical flight officer and pilot. The episode covers lessons learned from both roles. Topics include: the rapid rise of drones in law enforcement; how drones complement (but don’t replace) helicopters and K9 teams.     To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the classes that are offered go to: www.Policek9Training.net     To Contact Jack email him at: Jack@officertactics.com To Check Out Jack's Book: Charles C Thomas Publisher      Thanks to this shows sponsors:     AceK9.com ______________________________________________________________________________ KATS K9 Record Keeping  www.katsplatinum.com ______________________________________________________________________________           Online Class Click Here      k-9services.com _____________________________________________________________________________   Ray Allen K9      https://www.rayallen.com/  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Next Level K9    https://www.thenextlevelk9.com/      _____________________________________________________________________________ For information about the Colorado K9 Conference https://coloradok9conference.com/