Mission Statement: World Class Accredited K9 Training Institution & K9 Solutions Provider
Menu
We do not guarantee any level of employment, income, or compensation after you finish the course.
In addition to giving you the tools to be a successful dog handler/ trainer, AK9I has taken significant steps in assisting our graduates in securing post-graduation employment. We have created an alumni group of former students and current staff, that can not only share success stories and network with each other, but also use the group to share job opportunities, training opportunities, and other important information.
AK9I also has several robust strategic partnerships with other companies that use our students along with their dogs for part time and full-time work. We take it a step further and give a class on career development which touches on possible career paths to take after graduation, as well as how to start your own company, contacts for possible employment, and tips on how to be successful.
You will be certified to the same standards as other nationally recognized 3rd party independently verified standards. Because we are a nationally accredited post-secondary institution, our certification is nationally recognized.
Depending on the state, and the contract or job you are working, our certification is more than sufficient to satisfy the requirements needed to work with your K-9 partner.
We have classes starting on the first Monday of every month.
We do not perform any sort of background check on students; however, it is important to note that any criminal record may impact your chances of post-graduation employment. We do not discriminate for any reason with regards to being a student. If you can cover the cost of tuition you are welcome to attend.
If you have a disability, we will make every reasonable accommodation that allows the safe performance of class activity. Please contact Paul Roushia, our president, if you have any questions regarding this. The only stipulation is that you are required to have a GED or high school diploma prior to attending our course.
We source our dogs from established breeders / programs in Europe and domestically. All dogs go through an extensive evaluation process to include radiographs of hips, elbows and spine, medical screenings, environmental testing, and more to see if they have what it takes to be in our program. All dogs come with a one-year health warranty.
Housing is provided for AK9I students at no cost. Students reside in our dormitories located at the Zuni campus. Students are not required to stay in the dormitories while attending training courses. Students may reside off-campus at their own expense.
There is a common area with a TV, coffee table and sofas. We provide free satellite TV and Wi-Fi. There is a fully functioning kitchen. It includes a stove/oven, microwave, coffee maker, sink, counter space, pots/pans, multiple refrigerators and freezers, and a lot of pantry space for everyone.
We do not provide towels or wash cloths. Laundry facilities are on site in each dorm and are free of charge. However, you must provide your own detergent. There is no cafeteria, so meals are up to the student.
We charge a WEEKLY $25 dorm fee for the provision of general supplies, maintenance and cleaning.
NO DOGS ALLOWED AT THE DORMS.
Personal dogs must be housed at the kennel. You must provide a copy of their current vaccines to include DHLPP, Bordetella, & Rabies. You will also need to sign a liability waiver and complete a boarding application.
If you are bringing a personal dog, please email our Administrative Assistant, Ryan, at rgibbs@ak9i.edu and inform her. You must arrive prior to 7pm as the kennels are closed and locked after that.
ALL students who successfully graduate from either the 5-, 6-, 8- or 13-week training program get to keep their dogs upon successful graduation AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. All dogs come with a one-year warranty against genetic defects.
Students do have the option of bringing and utilizing their own dog provided it passes our vetting process for hunt drive and environmental stability. If a student utilizes their own dog, they will not be issued a dog by AK9I. Students are not provided a reduction in tuition cost if they utilize their own dog.
The majority of this course is hands-on training. Appropriate dress includes closed-toed shoes, pants or cargo pants, shorts and a t-shirt or long-sleeved shirt. Revealing clothing is prohibited.
Understand that accessories e.g., jewelry including rings and bracelets may distract the K-9. Piercings such as hoops, nose and eyebrow rings are prohibited during training because they are a safety hazard.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official U.S. Government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Copyright © AK9I™ 2022
Bite work, grip development, decoy mechanics and development, single and multi-person pursuit and apprehension, apprehension from a vehicle, apprehension with gunfire, vehicle extractions, handler protection, prisoner escorts, recalls and outs, tracking and trailing. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, students will condition their dogs to pursue, bite, hold and guard a decoy with and without gunfire under a multitude of conditions, locations and stimuli.
Application of Principles of Conditioning (reward schedules, fixed and variable ratios and intervals) for the commands of “sit, stay, down, heel and come” walking in heel position and obstacle agility course. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, students are taught to condition the dogs to respond to basic verbal and hand commands and navigate the obstacle course using positive reinforcement methods.
Canine odor recognition protocol (4-hole variable, odor wall), practical application of detector dog handling search pattern and search procedures in buildings, vehicles, warehouses, stadiums offices, open areas parcels, luggage and bomb threat response protocols. Using operant conditioning methods, students are taught to condition a “green” dog to detect and passively respond to target odors in different environments.
Final certification of detector dog team in real world environments using North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) certification standards. Students will certify with their dog by demonstrating their dog’s ability to detect and respond with a passive response to the target odors. Students will also be able to identify their dog’s behavioral change when the dog is in the scent cone and working to source.
Orientation, canine safety, canine health care and grooming, canine kenneling and transportation, Principles of Conditioning, explosives and narcotics safety, storage and transportation. This segment of the course is designed to teach students safety practices in and around the kennels and safe handling and transportation of explosives and narcotics. Students are introduced to Operant Conditioning (reward schedules) and Classical conditioning (pairing of unconditioned and conditioned stimuli) escape training, the canine sensory spectrum and titration levels.
Application of Principles of Conditioning (reward schedules, fixed and variable ratios and intervals) for the commands of “sit, stay, down, heel and come” walking in the heel position and obstacle agility course. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, student are taught to condition the dogs to respond to basic verbal and hand commands and navigate the obstacle course using positive reinforcement methods.
canine odor recognition protocol (4-hole variable, odor wall), Practical application of detector dog handling search pattern and search procedures in buildings, vehicles, warehouses, stadiums offices, open areas, parcels, luggage and bomb threat response protocols. Using operant conditioning methods, students are taught to condition a “green” dog to detect and passively respond to target odors in different environments.
Final certification of detector dog team in real world environments using North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) certification standards. Students will certify with their dog by demonstrating their dog’s ability to detect and respond with a passive response to the target odors. Students will also be able to identify their dog’s behavioral change when the dog is in the scent cone and working to source.
Final certification of detector dog team in real world environments using North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) certification standards. Students will demonstrate their dog’s ability to pursue, bite, hold and guard a decoy with and without gunfire under a multitude of conditions, locations and stimuli.
Orientation, canine safety, canine health care and grooming, canine kenneling and transportation, Principles of Conditioning, explosives and narcotics safety, storage and transportation. This segment of the course is designed to teach students safety practices in and around the kennels and safe handling and transportation of explosives and narcotics.Students are introduced to Operant conditioning (reward schedules) and Classical conditioning (pairing of unconditioned and conditioned stimuli) escape training, the canine sensory spectrum and titration levels.
