The Police K9 Training Podcast with Jeff Meyer

Host Jeff Meyer sits down with longtime K9 instructor Gary Haddon for an in-depth episode on detector-dog operations, training philosophy, and real-world deployment. The conversation focuses on obedience to odor: how to bring the dog to the hunt, not the toy, and shape dogs to ignore visual and food distractions while staying laser-focused on scent. Gary and Jeff compare reward strategies (primary...

In this episode Jeff Meyer is joined by Bill Lewis to walk through the Rosenbaum (San Jose) K-9 case and the legal and practical lessons that followed. The conversation covers the appellate denial of qualified immunity in 2024, why that decision drew national attention. To listen to the first episode about this case scroll back to October 4, 2024, for the episode titled "Shocking Ruling on K9 Case...

Join host Jeff Meyer and special guest Eric Stambro for a deep-dive into contemporary detection dog training. In this episode they unpack the concept of "pay on a sniff," marker training vs. direct reward systems, how to reinvigorate and shape reliable alerts, and practical tactics for vehicles, buildings, and large impound searches.  Topics covered include: what paying on a sniff means and why it...

Host Jeff Meyer sits down with guest Michael Nesbeth to preview Nesbeth’s keynote and new class “From Puppy to Police Dog” at the Colorado Canine Conference. The conversation weaves practical training philosophy with real-world examples drawn from decades of working with police and detection dogs, and highlights what handlers can apply whether they raise puppies or work with adult imports.   To co...

Host Jeff Meyer welcomes Dr. Tiffany Wettin — a veterinarian specializing in equine and small-animal chiropractic, acupuncture, and alternative therapies — to discuss how pain can masquerade as Practical takeaways include adding a pain/health check to the handler’s toolbox before moving straight to additional training, building a preventive relationship with a qualified chiro/acupuncture vet, and...

Host Jeff Meyer returns to discuss common training mistakes he sees in police canine programs and how those mistakes lead to avoidable bites and liability.   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 __________________________________________...

Host Jeff Meyer sits down with legal expert Mike Kmiecik of Sheepdog Guardian for a focused legal update for patrol K9 handlers. Over the course of the episode they unpack recent case law, discuss practical training and deployment habits, and share operational tips meant to reduce risk to officers, bystanders, and suspects while improving search effectiveness. The conversation centers on the long-...

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....

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.   List...

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 contac...

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 con...

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, to...

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 philo...

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 e...

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   ...

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...

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 d...

Join host Jeff Meyer and legal expert Mike Kmiecik on the Police K9 Training Podcast for a focused legal update on Florida v. Harris. This episode breaks down the Supreme Court’s landmark decision, what it actually says about drug-detection dogs, and how handlers and agencies should interpret and apply the ruling on the street and in court. The discussion covers the Court’s view on field performan...

Host Jeff Meyer talks with Matt Wilson, Creative Director and lead product designer at Ray Allen Manufacturing, in an in-depth episode about choosing and fitting K9 equipment. Key topics covered include bite suits (differences between heavy duty, kimono, police-package "marshmallow" suits and semi-competition suits), construction details that protect dogs and decoys (layering, thread break points,...

In this Part 2 episode of the Police K9 Training Podcast, host Jeff Meyer continues his conversation with Cameron Ford to finish the list of seven essential skills for detection dog handlers. The discussion covers points three through seven: consistency and fairness in training, adaptability and creativity when simulating real-world scenarios, handler self-awareness and discipline, diligent record...

In this episode of the Police K9 Training Podcast, host Jeff Meyer welcomes detection expert Cameron Ford to discuss real-world detection work and the handler skills that make teams consistently successful.  Topics covered include the single most important skill: observation and reading subtle dog behaviors (micro-behaviors, head snaps, tail shifts, baseline recognition). Cameron and Jeff emphasiz...

Join Jeff Meyer and guest Art Lopez, director of the Utah POST K9 Program, as they dig into real-world issues facing police K9 teams.  The conversation focuses on administrative and operational challenges: rushing deployments, “chasing the bite,” and changing tactics simply because a dog is present.    To contact Jeff Meyer email him at:  JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To see more about Jeff and the class...

On this episode of the Police K9 Training Podcast host Jeff Meyer welcomes attorney and regular guest Mike Kmiecik of Sheepdog Guardian for an in-depth legal breakdown of a Tenth Circuit case: Luce v. Kyle. Mike walks through the facts, the court’s reasoning, and the practical lessons K-9 teams need to avoid constitutional pitfalls. Topics include qualified immunity, arguable probable cause, unlaw...

In Part 3 of the Simplifying Your Detector Dog series, host Jeff Meyer wraps up the short course by explaining how to move a dog from well-imprinted odors to reliable real-world performance. This episode covers imprint verification, expanding search environments, and managing the dog’s physical limits during intensive early training. To contact Jeff Meyer email him at:  JeffMeyer1@outlook.com To s...

Part two of simplifying detector dog training focuses on charging the mark with a verbal marker, teaching dogs to search independently, and imprinting target odors in controlled environments. Jeff Meyer explains using small, limited search areas, off-leash searches, and making the handler intentionally "useless" so the dog learns to rely on its nose and the reward. The episode also covers introduc...