True Foundations

This class is designed to show how crucial the relationship and shaping behavior is to setting yourself up for success is in all aspects of a working K9 in every environment. It provides a roadmap for all stages of training and culminates into problem solving common issues such as outing and distraction breaking through reinforcement and bond development. Proper use of correction and behavior management is also incorporated.

Tuesday
,
Aug 24, 2027
8:00 am
-
10:00 am
Instructor(s):
Mike Ritland
View full class scheduleRegister for HITS 2026
Mike Ritland
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Class overview

This class is designed to show how crucial the relationship and shaping behavior is to setting yourself up for success is in all aspects of a working K9 in every environment. It provides a roadmap for all stages of training and culminates into problem solving common issues such as outing and distraction breaking through reinforcement and bond development. Proper use of correction and behavior management is also incorporated.

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This session explains:

Crucial Relationship

Shaping Behavior

Roadmap for all stages of training

Problem Solving issues

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About the instructor

Mike Ritland

Mike Ritland is a former U.S. Navy SEAL and one of the most experienced working-dog trainers in the country. During his 12 years with the Teams, including deployments to Iraq, he saw firsthand what a well-trained K9 could do in combat. That experience led him to build a career selecting, training, and supplying elite working dogs.

Mike founded Trikos International, which has provided highly trained dogs to Navy SEAL teams, other special operations units, federal agencies, and law enforcement departments. His work covers the full lifecycle of a working dog: sourcing and selecting candidates, detection and patrol training, and preparing handlers to get the most out of their partners in the field. He held the contract for and spent time as a trainer for the west coast SEAL Multipurpose Canine (MPC) program.

He is also the owner of Team Dog, which includes an online training platform built on the same methods he uses with working dogs and a line of dog food designed for performance and health. His training book, Team Dog: How to Train Your Dog the Navy SEAL Way, brings those methods to a wider audience.

Mike founded the Warrior Dog Foundation, a nonprofit that retires and rehabilitates military and police K9s after their service ends. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller Trident K9 Warriors and Navy SEAL Dogs. He brings that operational and training experience directly to handlers who are building working teams of their own.

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What past attendees say

"To the organizers of Handler Instruction & Training Seminar 2026,I was an exhibitor for K9 Tactical Gear Inc at Handler Instruction & Training Seminar 2026. I wanted to express my thanks and appreciation for putting together such a successful event. I had a great experience exhibiting, and everything felt well thought out and organized. I know these events require a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and it showed in how smoothly everything went.Whova was also a great tool to use throughout the event. I relied on it to see who was attending, get updates, and strike up conversations with potential leads. It definitely enhanced my overall experience and helped me make the most out of being an Exhibitor.Best regards,Susan Forbes, K9 Tactical Gear"

Susan Forbes
Position
,
K9 Tactical Gear

"I helped run Twin Oaks Manufacturing’s booth at this event and had such a great time! I especially liked being able to manage our booth profile, see the event schedule, and coordinate demos all through Whova. We had steady traffic and great conversations. Everything ran beautifully, thank you!

Warren Richards
Position
,
Twin Oaks Manufacturing

"I was part of the Elite Nutrition team and really enjoyed this event, everything was so organized! Having exhibit hall hours and getting live updates in Whova was great. I was never worried I was missing something. We met a lot of attendees and had a fantastic experience. Thanks for hosting!

LeAnne Osborn
Position
,
Elite Nutrition

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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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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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