Markers and Prey Toys: Shaping Behavior for Patrol

The class will provide the student with the tools to implement reward and correction markers, and prey toy work into their training routine.

Thursday
,
Aug 27, 2026
4:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
Instructor(s):
Heath Kuhlmann
View full class scheduleRegister for HITS 2026
Heath Kuhlmann presenting Markers and Prey Toys: Shaping Behavior for Patrol at HITS.
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.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.

Class overview

The class will provide the student with the tools to implement reward and correction markers, and prey toy work into their training routine. We will cover the reason, use, and implementation of marker training as well as the purpose of prey toys to shape behavior. Through the use of prey toys, handlers can condition desired behavior in a lower drive to give more reps during a session. Markers give handlers the ability to reward and correct behaviors without stopping the session or causing conflict. 

This session explains:

  • implementation of marker training as well as the purpose of prey toys to shape behavior
  • The class will provide the student with the tools to implement reward and correction markers, and prey toy work into their training routine.
  • We will cover the reason, use, and implementation of marker training as well as the purpose of prey toys to shape behavior.
  • Through the use of prey toys, handlers can condition desired behavior in a lower drive to give more reps during a session.
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.
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About the instructor

Heath Kuhlmann

Heath Kuhlmann is the founder and lead trainer of FACT K9. His experience includes 10 years in the USMC and over 24 years in law enforcement. Prior to becoming a handler, he worked patrol, auto theft, and cargo theft. He has 13 years of experience as a handler and serves as the Lead Instructor for his Departmental Canine Program. Heath developed the training schedule and guidelines used in his department’s basic handler course. He has served as the Lead Instructor since 2018. He has conducted hundreds of training days throughout the state for his department as well as allied agencies. This training includes maintenance of canine teams, E-Collar workshops, decoy workshops, and problem solving of handler and canine issues.

As a handler, Heath is working with his second canine partner and understands the progression of training needed to properly develop a canine team. As a trainer, he is dedicated to the progression of the team: handler and canine. He currently serves as the progression trainer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s- SED patrol K9 teams. Heath is a CA POST Canine Evaluator, CA POST certified instructor, and International Police Canine Association (IPCA) Certifying Official. He has attended numerous training courses including Basic Decoy Training (Von Liche Kennels), Basic E-Collar Class (Tactical K9), Canine Trainers Course (Tactical K9), Police K9 Behavior and Decoy Techniques (K9 Bite DR), Obedience Fundamentals and Troubleshooting for Police Canines (Michael Ellis), and Detection Dog Trainer Course (FORD K9).

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

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.

‍

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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Explore other HITS classes

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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