GAK9-Idaho is the Leading Edge in all things Tracking and Trailing
Gak9-Idaho K9 Tracking and Trailing Training
Welcome to GAK9-Idaho, where we specialize solely in K9 tracking and trailing training. We offer training opportunities for individuals or teams here in Ashton, ID, or we can travel to your location. Typically K9 teams come to us with a foundation for patrol, MPC, or SAR and we add tracking and trailing to enhance their effectiveness in locating people. Our classes are tailored to meet the unique needs of each dog team.
Our tried-and-true methods teach handlers to instill drive and focus on the K9's natural abilities to use its superior olfactory, overcome distractions, discriminate and pursue the human scent. This along with the handler's ability to interpret and read the K9 behaviors is the basic foundation in achieving success in trailing operations.
Using our step-by-step techniques, we teach K9s that the target scent equals a specific scent trail, which leads to the target, where the K9 receives its “paycheck” in the form of a reward. Through this method, K9s develop a strong loyalty to both the scent and trail, and are able to grow through self-discovery in a tiered exposure.
At GAK9-Idaho, we teach handlers to read their K9 trailing indicators and to work together as a team, to effectively follow specific human scent trails to locate the target scent. We train all handlers with our basic tracking/trailing philosophy that is designed to elevate K9 teams to the highest level of performance.
We specialize in law enforcement, military, and SAR classes. All of these classes incorporate our basic foundation, methods and techniques, along with proximity alerts. Our intermediate and advanced classes incorporate tactics every handler should deploy in K9 searches for felony fugitives. . Our law enforcement handlers know that a safe track/trail leading to an arrest is only half the battle, so we equip students with the necessary tools to facilitate successful prosecutions.
For search and rescue (SAR) missions, we provide the same K9 tracking/trailing foundation, along with additional skills tailored for SAR-specific operations.
At GAK9-Idaho, we believe, without exception, that Tracking/Trailing is the hardest K9 discipline. We do not subscribe to fantasies, so we honestly evaluate each team through double-blind testing and rigorous problems. We have decades of experience gathering information, testing data, and refining our techniques. As such, we will provide each handler team with proven tools and techniques that are used by successful K9 tracking and trailing teams worldwide.
GAK-Idaho is a proud partner of GAK9.com, and our collaboration with CEO Jeff Schettler dates back to 1999, ensuring that our training programs are backed by additional expertise and innovation.
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Training Courses
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PHASE I - BASIC COURSE
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PHASE II - INTERMEDIATE COURSE
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PHASE III - ADVANCED COURSE
Our K9 Training
testimonials
“We had Kevin out to Northern California to teach a 5-day LE tracking class. He’s a wealth of knowledge from past experience. He was excellent at reading both the dogs and the handlers while on the move. We ran a ton of tracks and Kevin never slowed down, he just kept pushing. His matter of fact teaching style is easy to understand. It was a ton of fun watching the dogs and the handlers progress throughout the week, we will definitely be back for more. Thank you very much!”
Justin
“Kevin’s law enforcement experience is impressive. However, his true passion has always been focused on K9 handling. He has traveled across the country and internationally to train students, but his school in Idaho is a world-class destination not to be missed. I had the pleasure of going there. I never tired of the fantastic views of the Grand Tetons nor the friendly hospitality. Kevin is an expert instructor that anyone could learn something from regardless of background. I highly recommend this training!”
Charles M.
“I have known Kevin for about 12 years and trained with him once a month for 9 years with Anvak. We have been to several weekly training sessions throughout those years as well. You cannot go wrong with allowing him to train you and your dog. He adjusts his methods to your skill level to ensure you are learning the correct way to do things and challenges you at the same time. During his training you will never say wow you are predictable and if you say it while you are on a trail you are probably not in the right place. Please please please never forget your reward you will be embarrassed because according to Kevin you only have one job. It was a blast training with him and you will create memories that you will never forget. Super excited to see the new facility.”
John O’Donnell
“Kevin is a great trainer with years of real life experience. I’ve had the opportunity to train with and learn from him in California and South Carolina during police and military trainings. Looking forward to our next time.”
Ben McBroom
“Kevin’s positive attitude and wealth of experience make him a great trainer. Kevin makes training fun and is able to easily communicate essential training points to create an overall positive experience. Highly recommended for anyone looking to improve/ train”
Greg Crader
“Kevin is a wealth of knowledge. I feel that after attending the basic tracking course I have the fundamentals and abilities to be a successful tracking team.”
Kash Hasemeyer
“I’ve had the pleasure of instructing a course with Kevin. He is an excellent instructor whose focus is on giving his students the information to solve the problem themselves rather than simply giving them the answer. Kevin is the best urban trailing guy I have met and things I have learned from him have become important teaching points for my own students. Kevin is also a tactical tracking expert. I highly recommend GAK9 Idaho to the beginning handler all the way to the seasoned urban K9 teams.”
