Student Testimonials

Google Reviews

Billy McleanBilly Mclean
17:08 14 Dec 21
Had an awesome time at the 13 week course, learned a ton and cannot beat the value of the course. shout out to my instructor Kevin D thank you
Jason MerrittJason Merritt
11:07 14 Dec 21
I have been to numerous courses within the States but AK9I stands above them all. The information and experience I had gained there cannot be matched. I have worked in the trainer capacity and now working as an explosive handler preparing to hopefully enter back into the trainer realm. With AK9Is' name behind you, there's nothing you feel that you can't do.
Zack HaglundZack Haglund
16:55 25 Oct 21
All the instructors here are amazing and friendly with decades of knowledge behind their belts. Kennels are always well kept and dogs are kept happy when they’re put up for the night or the weekend. Brad was my instructor I highly recommend him because he will give you the knowledge behind everything you are doing with the dog and your dogs mindset. All of the management was very nice and are very willing to help you with whatever they can at a very swift pace. The living quarters are nice with big common areas.Overall it was a great school with a lot of great people and awesome times.
W. WildmanW. Wildman
23:57 06 Jul 21
I have been working with working dogs since 2010. My career has consisted of Military Working Dogs 2010-2014 then Police Dogs 2014-Present. I have NEVER been a K9 Handler, however, as a police officer had the privilege's of working with several dozen during the last few years. I have grown to both love and hate certain characteristics of the dogs and their handlers. Through this experience and a little self motivation, I decided to make the phone call. I was ready to be a handler. My mother always told me "be the change you want to be", so I did. I attended AK9I during the months of April-May 2021 for their 8 week course. I graduated with "K9 Hank" and have since been training with a local police agency on the Southern Coast of Mississippi. Per my background and credentials, one could assume correctly that my dog is a "Narcotics Dog", also trained in tracking, articles, and open areas. I would say with having watched dozens of working dogs and handlers operate throughout the last 11 years of my life; I am thoroughly satisfied with my training I received at AK9I. The type of dogs and handlers AK9I turns out truly are amazing. The staff at AK9I considered what type of dog I wanted, it's purpose, and my home life accommodations. They recommended a dog, then demoed several. Without question I decided to select K9 Hank for his unmatched abilities. With 8 weeks of training and a my newly selected K9 companion, Instructor Kevin worked countless hours to ensure this K9 team met the required standards to graduate. Let me tell you folks, this is no ordinary team. AK9I uses a method of training unmatched and unparalleled by any of the current K9 trainers in the United States. I would say to those of you considering attending to please give this school an opportunity. See what they have to offer. Call and speak with Paul, speak with Michelle, speak with Angie, speak with any of the staff as they are there to help and accommodate. I know you will not regret your decision to attend AK9I. The school is what you make of it. Spend your time networking and training and I promise you will reap the benefits.
Clint FletcherClint Fletcher
13:43 18 Jun 21
I went through the 5 week course not to long ago and I can honestly say it was very good training. The instructors know what they're doing and they have good quality dogs. The facility itself is also good, different training environments to test your dog in. Coming back with my K-9 some of my co-workers had their doubts because they went through a different company but time and time again my dog has proven them wrong and even outshine some of the other seasoned dogs. Bottom line is I highly recommend AK9I if you're looking for good quality training and good quality dogs
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BASIC OBEDIENCE (25 HOURS):

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.

PATROL DOG TRAINING AND CONDITIONING (95 HOURS):

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.

BASIC OBEDIENCE (25 HOURS)

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.

DETECTOR DOG SEARCH PROCEDURES (110 HOURS):

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.

DETECTOR DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS)

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.

ACADEMICS (40 HOURS)

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.

BASIC OBEDIENCE (25 HOURS)

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.

DETECTOR DOG SEARCH PROCEDURES (110 HOURS)

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.

DETECTOR DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS)

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.

PATROL DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS)

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.

DETECTOR DOG SEARCH PROCEDURES (65 HOURS):

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.

ACADEMICS (40 HOURS):

Orientation, canine safety, canine health care and grooming, canine kenneling and transportation, Advanced 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 Advanced methods of Operant (reward schedules) and Classical conditioning (pairing of unconditioned and conditioned stimuli) escape training, the canine sensory spectrum and titration levels.

BASIC AND ADVANCED OBEDIENCE (65 HOURS):

Application of Advanced Principles of Conditioning (reward schedules, fixed and variable ratios and intervals) for the commands of “sit, stay, down, heel and come” (all commands are given off-leash) and obstacle agility course (on-leash and off-leash), long downs, vertical/horizontal carries, ladder climbs, window entries and tactical movements, off-leash send-outs, wagon wheels and T-Patterns. Utilizing Operant Conditioning methods, student are taught to condition the dogs to respond to advanced verbal and hand commands and navigate the obstacle course using positive reinforcement methods.

DETECTOR DOG SEARCH PROCEDURES (235 HOURS):

Canine odor recognition protocol (4 hole variable, odor wall), Vapor Pressure (the scent cone), factors affecting the scent cone, e.g., wind, humidity ambient temperature, convection and terrain, advanced application of detector dog handling search patterns and search procedures in buildings, vehicles, warehouses, stadiums offices, open areas, theaters, parcels, luggage and bomb threat response protocols. Off-leash distance casting and control, shooting a line and orbiting. Using advanced operant conditioning methods, students are taught to condition a “green” dog to detect and passively respond to target odors in different environments. Students are also taught how to overcome cognitive dissonance utilizing advanced techniques for behavior shaping and modification as well as receiving Instructor Development, Electronic collar and K9 Selection training.

DETECTOR DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS):

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.

PATROL DOG TRAINING AND CONDITIONING (130 HOURS):

Overview of bite work, grip development, pursuit and apprehension and gunfire stimuli. canine team selection (how to evaluate both the dog and handler), breeding programs, puppy rearing and evaluation, initial bite work and grip development for puppies, advanced animal behavior (physiological and psychological factors),kenneling, kennel operations and kennel management, training operations and situational problem-solving, advanced tracking and trailing with drop articles, multiple turns and cross-tracks. Door breeching with and without flash bangs. 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.

PATROL DOG CERTIFICATION (25 HOURS):

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.

PATROL DOG TRAINING AND CONDITIONING (60 HOURS):

The primary purpose of this course of instruction is to prepare canine teams for integration into the tactical operations of law enforcement as a nonlethal option. Bite work, grip development, decoy mechanics and development, single and multi-person pursuit and apprehension, apprehension from a vehicle (bailouts), apprehension with gunfire, vehicle extractions, handler protection, prisoner escorts, recalls and outs, tracking and trailing and building search/working “in the stack.” 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.

ACADEMICS (40 HOURS)

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.