Send us a text

 Jim O’Brien, handled two police canines while he was a patrolman in the state of New Hampshire. Jim and his canine partners were a huge asset in central New Hampshire and were responsible for the capture and arrest of countless suspects and drug seizures.  Jim developed both canines programs from the ground up and had much success with both programs.

Jim was the lead instructor at two kennels in the state of NC where he was tasked with instructing Law Enforcement and Military personnel. Jim has instructed canine teams from around the world and has instructed classes for Working Dog Magazine, K9  Cop Magazine, Bravo 3, and Blue Line K9 conferences. Jim enjoys learning new skills to enhance his abilities as a trainer and continually strives to increase the success rates of his canine teams in the field.

Jim has had many great human influences and dog trainers over the years that have assisted his growth as a trainer and his love for dog training. However, the one being that grew that passion more than any human was his last partner, Blek. Blek was a great patrol dog, but was the best instructor!

Jim conducts both Law Enforcement and Pet Dog Training. Jim can be contacted directly at 603-986-9897 or at [email protected]

• Training pet dogs
• 2014 moved to NC
• Opened NCK9 LLC in 2017
• 8 week handlers course
• Food based reward system
• Why has food reward systems been so taboo in the police dog industry?
• Pay trainers well
• Staff retention
• Challenges in finding qualified handlers
• The need to be physically fit "dogs and handlers"
• Hard surface tracking
• Be a thief 
• Bowl to washer 
• Patience- wait for the dog to put his nose to the ground. Pay for that behavior.
• Difficulty obtaining good dogs
• Super young
• "Ball drive/possession
• Teach with food first. 
• Clean reps w/o the struggle over the toy
• Existential food reward system - dog works for his daily ration of food
• Ecollar integration
• Ecollar technology
• September 2023 handlers course
• Patience, patience, patience!
• K9 legal updates
• Multitasking
• Hit the ground running by building you dog a good portfolio of pictures.

We are happy to announce Fox and Hound as our title sponsor. Please checkout shopfoxandhound.com

We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org.

Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code.

Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9. Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com

HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: [email protected]