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Steve “Zane” Stoops spent the last 19 years as the Senior Combat Assault Dog Trainer (CAD) for the United States Joint Special Operations Command-JSOC, assigned to the 1st SFOD-D, located at Ft. Liberty, NC (retired January 2024.) He and a very small and exclusive group of Special Operators are innovators and developed many K9 training philosophies utilized today by the most elite SOF tactical working dog programs throughout the world. Steve actively handled these dogs in numerous combat situations facing fire fights, suicide bombers, and IEDs. A veteran of 14 combat deployments, Steve was also requested by and assisted Naval Special Warfare units in Iraq. During this time, Steve also played a crucial role in the development of the following CAD programs worldwide: 

• Conducted the initial training course for Army Ranger CAD program. 
• Selected and trained the CADs and Handlers for the elite British Special Forces, traveling to England to instruct at the inaugural K9 course for both British Army and Naval Special Operators and their dogs. 
• Selected and trained the dogs for the Danish Jaeger Corps, traveling to Scandinavia to conduct training events. 
• Stood up a K9 program in a combat zone by importing dogs into the zone for the Kurdish Counter Terror Group (CTG). 
• Assisted the German KSK with their CAD program and was co-located with them on a combat deployments. 
• Assisted the Norwegian SOF Dog program in Afghanistan. 
• Stood up the CAD program for the FBI Hostage Rescue Team, selecting and training the K9/Handler teams on a multi-week training course.  

Prior to working for Special Operations, Steve stood up and supervised a protection dog program in Afghanistan for Afghan President Hammed Karzai (2002.) Thereafter, Steve stood up a detection dog program in Tirana, Albania, for the Albanian National Police (2003.)

Steve’s K9 career started while serving 15 of his 20 years as a Police K9 Officer in Anderson, Indiana, after serving in the United States Marine Corps as a Security Specialist at U.S. Embassies throughout Europe and South America. While a K9 Officer, Steve was a SWAT Team member, SWAT Dog handler, and a veteran of hundreds of K9 deployments. He experienced numerous violent encounters with suspects including Officer involved shootings and edged weapon attacks and was responsible fo

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

I first met Jessie some 8 years ago when she payed her way into a decoy class that I was teaching. She immediately impressed me with her athleticism and enthusiasm. At that time, she was simply a young law enforcement officer with and intense desire to become a k9 handler. She did her due diligence to make herself a viable candidate for the job and was rewarded with the opportunity.  On this episode, Jessie shares some of her journey. Like most journeys hers includes successes and hardships. There a many lessons to take away from this episode. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.....Howard

Jessie Owens-Wilder (Aka Tanto) has been in law enforcement for almost 10 years and is embarking on her master police officer recognition.  Within that time frame she has had many different roles at her agency so of which were being on the agency's swat team, bike patrol team, and is now a part of the k9 unit.  

She has always had an interest in k9 and quickly pursued decoying as a way to learn as much as she could about the specialty.  Jessie decoyed for multiple years until the k9 position opened up at her agency.  She was selected to be her agency's handler and she has been serving her community for the past 6 years with her partner K9 Wilson. 

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

We have been after Ben for an interview for a good while. He is actually one of the first gentlemen we pursued when we began the podcast. It was in his best interest to wait until he had fully retired from the Army before we interviewed him.  Ben is one of those guys that makes you feel glad he's on our side! If your old enough to remember the original GI Joe toys you'll be able to relate to this. Ben looks like the original GI Joe with live action hair. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did. As you might expect his biography is understated. Ben, we appreciate your friendship and of course your service to our country. 

Ben Rader is a 21-year Veteran of the U.S. Army and the owner of Rader K9. Ben gained much of his operational experience conducting operations in the middle east during the Global War on Terror (GWOT) for a U.S. Army Special Forces Commander’s In-Extremis Force (CIF) Company and later as a Multi-Purpose Canine Handler/Trainer. Afterwards, Ben served as the Kennel Master/Detachment Operations Sergeant for his Group. 

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

Rich and I had a chat with two board members with ATK9. Paul Ludwig and JC Leblanc are both well known names in the working dog community. They provided pertinent information about the upcoming ATK9 conference in October. The number of world renowned instructors and format make this conference unique. Of course, there were many take aways as well as it relates to training. If you haven't registered for the conference don't wait. Thank you for taking the time to come back to our podcast time and again. Rich and I are humbled by the number of listeners and we love the feedback. 

The American Tactical K9 Association, provides training, educational programming, and assistance to the military and law enforcement communities in police/ military K9 procedures, operations, and tactics.

The educational programs and training offered are specifically designed to enhance the performance and professional status of law enforcement and military personnel by providing a credible and proven training resource as well as a forum for the development of tactics and information exchange between the professional law enforcement and military community.

The American Tactical K9 Association solicits donations and contributions donated by businesses and individuals to offset the cost of training and educational programs which are scheduled on a regular basis. 

https://atk9.org/2024-conference

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

It's especially rewarding for us to get an opportunity to interview a hard working man with integrity. That was certainly the feeling we had as we concluded the interview. Hope you all enjoy the conversation as much as we did. 

Josh is a retired police officer after serving at Garland PD and Denton PD
in Texas since 2003. During that time Josh held positions as a field
training officer, firearms instructor, active shooter instructor, academy
instructor, K-9 handler, and K-9 instructor. Josh’s K-9 partners won
numerous awards, both in police canine competitions, and on the street
making high risk felony apprehensions and seizing thousands of pounds
of narcotics and millions of dollars in drug money. During Josh’s career, he
received numerous awards and commendations including over 50
meritorious conduct awards, officer of the year, and the life saving award.
Josh’s first police dog won the United States Police Canine Association
Region 20 (USPCA) “Top Dog” overall in the first two years he competed,
before becoming a USPCA judge. Josh has trained and certified hundreds
of police K-9 teams and is still active in the police K-9 community.
In the civilian world, Josh competes with his personal dog that he trained
from a puppy in Protection Sports Association (PSA) and is a certified trial
decoy. Josh has trained his current dog to the level of PSA2 and has won
numerous awards at trial with her including high obedience and high
protection. As a decoy, Josh has been selected as a national select decoy
four times, and has traveled all over the U.S. and internationally to decoy,
train dogs, and certify decoys. Josh has decoyed over 150 competitive
trials in five different countries. Josh is currently the secretary of decoys
for PSA and maintains decoy evaluations and certifications of over 100
decoys worldwide.
Josh is the founder and owner of Kirby K9 which started as a custom
leash and collar company for police and working dogs, and has expanded
to include selective training for obedience and protection dogs. Kirby K9
specializes in working dog equipment and is the largest dealer for
Demanet bite suits. Josh works very closely with Demanet to develop and
test new products and bite suits, and Demanet has adopted the designs
and construction of bite

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

We had a great conversation with Rodney Spicer of Gold Coast K9.  Rodney shared how he became interested in working dogs in the 1980's.  He also shared his insights into puppy and working dog selection.  Rodney's transparency about his meager beginnings is refreshing. The theme that stands out is perseverance. We know that you'll enjoy what he has to say and most definitely will be inspired by his story. Be looking for a part two with Rodney Sr and Rodney Jr.  
 
Gold Coast began from one man’s love of dogs and developed into a world class training and performance center. Rodney Spicer transitioned to actual working-dog training in 1985. He purchased his first dog, a beautiful German Shepherd named Arras, and began working obedience skills. Rodney had a natural ability to read and work with Arras and together they were a great team. After some initial success with Arras, Rodney branched out and joined a working dog club, ultimately taking Arras and several other dogs to titles. In 1991, Rodney founded Gold Coast K9. Gold Coast K9 and Rodney went on to successfully compete regionally and nationally as handler, helper/agitator, training director, and judge.

As Gold Coast K9’s capabilities grew through competition, Rodney focused on training police, military, and high-risk private client service dogs in both patrol and detection. Gold Coast K9’s unique, common-sense approach to overcoming real world distractions, pressures, and changing environments, while maintaining drive, enthusiasm, and goal oriented direction set a standard in the K9 training world. Gold Coast K9 teams went on to receive numerous awards including top dog, top agency, agitator’s choice, and medal of valor.

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

We got the bugs worked out since the last episode and we were both able to participate. We both really enjoyed this episode and feel as though there are many great lessons to be learned. Hope you all enjoy the conversation and get some nuggets of wisdom or inspiration. 

Jay Nix,  is a Sergeant with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, in Florida, where he has served as an active-duty law enforcement officer since 2000. He started his K9 career in 2002 as a handler assigned to the patrol division K9 unit. During his career, he was assigned as a handler on a joint agency task force, followed by a handler and unit commander on the agency’s Criminal Interdiction Unit. Ultimately, he was assigned to the Special Operations Bureau, where he holds his current position as the agency’s K9 Unit Commander and Head Trainer. Jay is a certified law enforcement K9 instructor and evaluator for both the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Law Enforcement Canine Association.

Additionally, he serves as the Vice President of a national nonprofit organization called K9s United, which supports K9 teams across the country. He is also the organization’s Training Director of their Law Enforcement K9 training program, which comprises several professional law enforcement K9 trainers who travel across the country, providing advanced training to handlers at no cost to the agencies.Sorry, how’s this 

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

Caught up with Mike Lilley for an interview. Unfortunately, Rich was having some technical difficulties and could not join us. We will be rectifying this by the next episode. I believe you will find Mike's methods to be innovative and sound. The proof is always in the pudding. His name is more and more becoming synonymous with solid tracking. He's just one of the more humble, pleasant, talented men in the business. Hope you enjoy this one as much as we did. There's a lot of information to unpack. 

Training working dogs was a skill passed down from my father at an early age. This knowledge proved invaluable during my K9 handler recruitment as a Law Enforcement Officer and once again during my certification as a Police K9 trainer.

My first K9 partner, Roscoe, was a yellow Labrador we rescued from a local shelter. He put all my training to the test, but we became an unstoppable team. Roscoe showed me the potential of misunderstood dogs and sparked what would later become my driving philosophy as a pet dog trainer.

It wasn’t until my second Police K9 partner, a Belgian Malinois named Neko, that I rooted my training principles and began helping local dog owners in my area with their unruly pets. Neko and I decided to retire in 2018 after an outstanding career in law enforcement and quickly embarked on the adventure of managing a pet training business.

We strive to provide families all over Tennessee and the Southeast US with a clear communication system and ultimately keep misunderstood dogs in good homes and out of shelters.

https://ridgesidek9tn.com/

https://www.mlk9.com/

Email: Suzi@mlk9

Phone: 239-243-1459

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

Once again we got an opportunity to have a conversation with Hans about dog training. The first episode was very popular with our listeners. Many folks felt we just scratched the surface on a few key topics. So, in part two, we were able to dig a bit deeper.  We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. 

Hans Verbruggen

Professional Dog trainer

I 've been living amongst dogs since my childhood. As a little boy I accompanied my brothers to the dog club. Very soon those dogclubs became my ‘world’. Even if I didn’t know much at that time I was really fascinated by those creatures. I tried hard to see and understand as much as possible. Finally when I was 12 years old I got my own dog. His name was ‘Kim’. He was already 10 years old but  I didn’t care. My first steps into ‘Belgian ringsport’ were set. I tried as hard as possible to manage things but I must admit that my dog was my ‘teacher’. The process of learning never stopped. In the meantime I know that every dog is different but there is a way to make them work harder and get the best out of them. I am eager to share those experiences

​My fascination became my passion. I put on the ‘decoy suit’ the first time at the age of 15. Since then I never put it aside. Training dogs became the main goal in my life. I achieved very good results with as well my own dogs as dogs from other owners. Self trained dogs became part of police units and all this with very good results.

Since many years I am a decoy in Hoboken Vinkevelden where I work very hard to assist every member and let them grow.

Dog training is a process that never stops. Therefor I follow seminars and others to keep up with the newest ways of training,  especially seminars of Bart Bellon. 

As stated before dog training is my way of living and I am convinced that I can give anyone a way of moving further, handle issues or start from puppy and build up with the right vision and training.

Hans

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.

Send us a text

 BENITO OLSON began his naval career as a master-at-arms serving in Bahrain and Kingsville, Texas. His work with military dogs opened the opportunity of a lifetime to serve with SEAL Team Six for multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. He earned a reputation as a go-to handler for dogs at the tip of the spear and earned multiple decorations such as a Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart. After medical retirement from the navy, Olson started Patriot Dog Training for law enforcement, estate protection, and household pets.

Information on Lewis Souffront: https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/navy-explosive-ordnance-disposal-technician-1st-class-luis-a-souffront/3370677

https://www.fallenheroesproject.org/post/luis-ariel-souffront

Link to purchase Benito's book. https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/the-underdogs/

Work Cell 830-229-7141
Personal Cell 210-278-4686
[email protected]
www.PatriotDogTraining.com

We are pleased to announce that Vested Interest in K9's has become our newest 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 2025 conference will be April 1,2,3, 2025. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

If you want Rich and Howard to come to your location we can make it happen. They have come together to provide workshops on any K9 related topic you like. Open to law enforcement and civilian attendees. Contact Howard at [email protected] or 704-473-9885.