The Police K9 Training Podcast with Jeff Meyer

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 contact Jeff Meyer email him at: JeffM...

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, tone) techniques to reduce handler re...

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 philosophies covered: prioritize horsepo...

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 email him at: JeffMeyer1@outlook.com

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  

Thanks to this shows sponsors:

A...

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 ...