Advancing the standards of law-enforcement K9 programs since day one

For more than two decades, HITS has brought together handlers, trainers, prosecutors, and subject-matter experts to strengthen how K9 programs train, deploy, and document their work.

Through conferences, training programs, consulting, and professional resources, HITS supports agencies working to improve operational readiness and courtroom defensibility within their K9 programs.

The result is a national professional network focused on advancing the standards of modern police K9 work.

HITS 2026 conference banner announcing the Handler Instruction and Training Seminar at JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona
Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.

Why we created HITS

Before HITS, much of police K9 training developed within regional circles. Exposure to ideas and techniques was often limited to a department’s geographic area.
HITS was created to bring the K9 community together and open those boundaries.

Before HITS

  • Training methods often stayed within regional bubbles
  • Limited exposure to ideas from other agencies
  • Established practices rarely challenged or compared
  • Many programs operated within one dominant approach

What HITS introduced

  • yellow-dot
    Handlers and trainers from across the country sharing techniques
  • yellow-dot
    Exposure to different operational perspectives
  • yellow-dot
    Opportunities to compare and refine training methods
  • yellow-dot
    A professional community focused on improving K9 programs together
For many attendees, this experience either confirms they are on the right track or introduces new ideas that help strengthen their training and operational practices.
Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.
Large group of people seated in a conference room attending a presentation with a speaker at the front near a projection screen.

The mission behind HITS

HITS was created to provide serious, professional education for law-enforcement K9 handlers and the agencies responsible for their programs.
‍
The conference and the broader HITS community focus on the issues that most affect real K9 work:

  • Operational training and deployment practices
  • Documentation and record-keeping
  • Legal standards affecting K9 programs
  • Courtroom testimony and defensibility
  • Program oversight and supervision

Rather than focusing on isolated techniques, HITS brings together instructors, legal experts, and experienced handlers to examine how K9 programs operate as complete systems.

Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.

The growth of HITS

// Early years

HITS conference launched

HITS began as a professional conference created to bring law-enforcement K9 handlers, trainers, and legal experts together to discuss operational practices and courtroom defensibility.

// Expanding education

Regional training programs introduced

Specialized training seminars and regional programs were added across the country, allowing agencies to participate in HITS education beyond the annual conference.

// Industry knowledge sharing

HITS K9 Podcast and educational resources

The HITS K9 Podcast and written educational resources expanded the community conversation, sharing instructor insights, case experience, and operational discussions throughout the year.

// Today

A national professional K9 network

Today HITS connects thousands of handlers, supervisors, prosecutors, and instructors through conferences, training programs, consulting, and professional resources focused on modern K9 deployment.

Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.

The people behind HITS

HITS is led by experienced professionals who have spent their careers working within law-enforcement K9 programs. The instructors, organizers, and contributors behind HITS bring together operational experience, legal knowledge, and training expertise to support the agencies that rely on police K9 teams every day.

Ted Daus

President
,
HITS K9
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.
See speaker

Ted Daus

President
,
HITS K9
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.
See speaker

Ted Daus

President
,
HITS K9
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.
See speaker

Ted Daus

President
,
HITS K9
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros.
See speaker
Learn more

Andrew Weiman

Retired Trainer
,
PACKTRACK
With more than 33 years of police experience involving various assignments in specialty drug investigation unit in south Florida, Detective Weiman has become a leading expert in the field.
See speaker

Jeff Barrett

Retired Police Officer
,
Lakeland PD
Jeff is a retired police officer with more than 37 years in the Criminal Justice system.
See speaker

Ted Daus

Owner
,
HITS T&C
Counsel of record in U.S. Supreme Court K-9 cases and longtime Broward County prosecutor. National lecturer on canine law and search-and-seizure with decades of courtroom experience.
See speaker
Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.

Recognized across the K9 profession

Over the years, HITS has been recognized within the K9 community for its contributions to professional education and operational standards.

These recognitions reflect the role HITS plays in bringing together professionals committed to improving how K9 programs train, document their work, and demonstrate reliability.
Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.

What handlers say about HITS

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname
Position
,
Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname
Position
,
Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname
Position
,
Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname
Position
,
Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname
Position
,
Company name

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare."

Name Surname
Position
,
Company name

Go to HITS. It's a great class. Great conference. This is the third one that I've been to. I try and go every time. They change up the classes. It's offered for detection and apprehension or patrol canines. All the classes are great. You should definitely check it out. I'm going to try and come back next year.

‍

Greg Edlund
Broward Sheriff Office

Hi, this is Brian Laas. I'm from Arvada, Colorado. This is about my second or third time with HITS, and I've enjoyed it greatly. I like the vast amount of instructors' backgrounds, so even though I've come once or twice before, I'm always gaining a lot of knowledge. This is a great seminar for both the new and the old handlers. I think you can't go wrong coming here. It's a good time and well-spent money for your department.

‍

Brian Laas
Arvada Police Department

Hi, my name is Neil with U.S. Park Police. This is the first time I ever attend HITS and it's great training. A lot of different courses that definitely benefit my career. I've been a handler for 14 years now. I'm still learning and I recommend people to come down here and learn something.

‍

Neil
US Park Police

Been to hits a couple times, keeps getting better every time. This year it's been amazing, a lot of people, a lot of great classes, great camaraderie between all the agencies here. It's a good time, I highly recommend it.

‍

Unknown Attendee

Hi, Mark with BCBK9 here at HITS 2017, lets you know what a success it was. Tons of handlers, tons of great classes. We're really glad that we drove all the way out from Missouri and we're looking forward to 2018 being in DC and we hope to see you all there.

‍

Mark
BCB K9

Yeah, this is my first time it hits. It was a great time. Actually, I've been to a lot of conferences before. This is definitely the best.

‍

Attendee
Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.Light beige paper texture background with subtle fibers and creases.

Join the HITS community

Each year, handlers, supervisors, prosecutors, and instructors gather at HITS to share experience, examine evolving legal standards, and strengthen how K9 programs operate.
‍
Attend the conference, participate in training, or explore the professional resources available through the HITS network.

Explore upcoming conference
See other events
K-9 handler taking notes during an instruction block at a HITS training seminar