High Risk Tracking with Limited Cover

Tactical tracking is one of the most dangerous operations a patrol K9 handler will face. Jeff Schettler covers Small Unit Tactical Tracking for limited-cover situations — minimizing risk while maximizing find ratios.

Wednesday
,
Aug 26, 2026
1:30 pm
-
3:30 pm
Instructor(s):
Jeff Schettler
View full class scheduleRegister for HITS 2026
Jeff Schettler presenting High Risk Tracking with Limited Cover at HITS.
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Class overview

Tactical tracking is one of the most dangerous operations a patrol K9 handler will ever face. Among all law enforcement K9 deployments, tracking presents a level of risk rarely encountered in other patrol situations—a reality underscored by tragic incidents that appear in the news with alarming regularity. While tragedy has historically driven changes in police tactics, K9 tracking methodologies have remained largely unchanged, even as these incidents continue to mount.

Ideally, multiple cover officers are used when hunting armed and dangerous fugitives. In practice, however, there is often a gap between what is tactically necessary and what is operationally available. Modern law enforcement staffing challenges frequently limit cover resources for K9 deployments, unless significant preplanning has taken place.

Jeff Schettler will be presenting a new course on Small Unit Tactical Tracking, designed to help handlers end searches favorably while minimizing risk and maximizing find ratios. This course will cover foundational high-risk tracking concepts, the roles and responsibilities of cover operators, and proven apprehension tactics for real-world deployments.

This session explains:

  • Why tactical tracking remains one of the highest-risk K9 deployments
  • How staffing gaps affect cover when hunting armed fugitives
  • Small Unit Tactical Tracking concepts for limited-cover situations
  • Cover operator roles and proven apprehension tactics in the field
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About the instructor

Jeff Schettler

Jeff Schettler is a retired police K9 handler who served with the City of Alameda and the County of Amador in California. He was also attached to the FBI Hostage Rescue Team’s K9 Assistance Program for three years, where he supported the location and apprehension of high-risk fugitives.

Jeff has worked hundreds of trailing cases across the United States and is widely recognized as a specialist in tactical tracking applications. In 1998, he introduced High-Risk K9 Tracking training—the first program of its kind. His book Tactical Tracker Teams is currently used by military and police units around the world.

Schettler is a certified military trainer and a graduate of the U.S. Army Leadership Academy (Drill Sergeant School). He currently trains police officers, special operations military units, and search-and-rescue handlers worldwide in advanced K9 trailing techniques.

His work training international SWAT teams and NATO military units has proven highly effective. From 2014 to 2025, Jeff built and led the MARSOC MPC Combat Tracking School, serving as the longest-operating civilian contractor in the program’s history.

Jeff has authored five books on tracking and trailing: Red Dog Rising, K9 Trailing, Tao of Trailing, Tactical Tracker Teams, and Two Weeks to Operational Tracking.

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What past attendees say

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Attendee
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Secure your seat at HITS 2026

Legal defensibility is not theoretical. It is tested in court.

This class helps handlers and agencies prepare before that moment arrives.

Register for HITS 2026
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The Drug Canine Legal Update is one part of a broader HITS program designed to strengthen deployment judgment, detection reliability, and operational decision-making in the field. Additional sessions expand that learning across tracking, behavior, detection science, and tactical leadership.

View full class schedule
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