The Police K9 Training Podcast with Jeff Meyer

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 prac...

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 drone...

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 performance (its limits and relevance), the ...

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, mobility), and a practical recomme...

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 keeping and reflection, and mainta...

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 emphasize the value of realistic training —...

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 classes that are offered go to: www.Polic...

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, unlawful entry, and excessive force clai...

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 see more about Jeff and the classes t...

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 introducing additional odors, encouraging a...

In this first episode of a short series Jeff Meyer explains a simplified approach to detector dog training using markers. He covers charging the mark, teaching dogs to think with successive approximations, and prioritizing strong searching behavior over rote final responses.

Jeff also discusses moving training into real-world environments, minimizing overcomplication, and setting handlers up for success as they begin training with ...

In this episode of the Police K9 Training Podcast, host Jeff Meyer delves into one of the most frequent challenges faced by narcotics dog handlers: why do trained dogs perform well in controlled settings but often struggle during real-world vehicle searches? Jeff offers insights into recognizing and addressing common issues such as handler dependency, inconsistent rewarding practices, and training environment discrepancies. Discove...

Join Jeff Meyer as he dives deep into the intricacies of managing an effective police K9 unit. Featuring insights from Ron Cloward, listeners will explore crucial aspects of K9 supervision, handler selection, and the critical role supervisors play in both training and real-world deployment. This discussion is a valuable resource for anyone involved in or interested in police canine operations.

To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: Je...

In this episode, Jeff is joined by three renowned tracking experts, Steve Colburn, Royce Ilse, and Jay Crafter, who share their vast experience in both urban and rural tracking. They delve into innovative tracking techniques, the importance of scent discrimination, and the distinction between traditional methods and more advanced tracking strategies.

To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com

To see more about Jeff ...

In this episode, Jeff and Michael explore the nuanced use of bite tables in police dog training—offering practical advice for handlers on optimizing this tool beyond traditional applications. They discuss core concepts like drive capping, bite mechanics, and the importance of transitioning skills from the table to real-world scenarios.

To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com

To see more about Jeff and the class...

In this episode, we delve into the world of canine training with Steve Stoops. Discover the methods to transition dogs from training environments to street-ready warriors, learning to confront adversaries without traditional bite equipment.

Steve Stoops shares insights from his experiences in global canine training, including techniques originally honed in top military counterterrorism units and adapted for civilian police work. En...

Join host Jeff Meyer in the latest episode of the Police K9 Training Podcast as he dives into the intricacies of selection tests with experts Brian Laas and Adrian Peech. 

Don't miss out on this episode full of practical advice and real-world experiences aimed at improving the efficiency and success of Police K9 Teams by starting with the right dog.

To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com

To see more about Jeff a...

In this episode, Jeff Meyer takes a closer look at the culture within canine units and the broader police department environment. Through his experiences and observations from training handlers across the country, he highlights the impact of cultural influences on canine team performance and unit cohesion. Jeff discusses the importance of selecting the right dogs, effective training practices, and how departmental culture can signi...

Join Jeff Meyer as he talks about many subjects with Eric Stanbro. In this episode, we explore crucial aspects of canine behavior, including rewarding techniques for narcotics detection dogs and maintaining high performance standards on and off the field. Eric shares his experiences and findings from a scientific study conducted in his agency.

To contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com

To see more about Jeff and the...