Classes previously delivered at HITS K9

Explore previous HITS instruction across tactics, legal context, behavior, detection, leadership, and operational decision-making.

These sessions reflect the depth of education delivered to handlers, supervisors, and agencies preparing for real deployment and courtroom scrutiny.

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Experiences shared by past participants

Feedback from handlers and agencies who have participated in past HITS instruction.

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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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Classes that shaped prior HITS events

Past HITS programs have included instruction designed to strengthen operational readiness, legal defensibility, and long-term performance across working K9 teams. Each class combines real-world experience, research, and courtroom-relevant perspective to support decisions that hold up beyond the training environment.

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Canine Unit Supervision and Management

Canine Supervisors and Managers are in the best position to prevent many of the issues we face in the K9 discipline and many of todays supervisors and managers have no K9 experience to build on.

Class Instructors:

Gary Aulis
Owner, Head Trainer
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Building a Training Aid "Tool Box" for Fentanyl (and other Emerging Drug Threats)

The K9 community has been focused on Fentanyl detection for a long time but has limited training aid options. But what is the most appropriate training aid for Fentanyl, and how is odor availability affected by purity, age, cutting agents.

Class Instructors:

Jonathan McGrath, PhD
Technical Advisor
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Laser Targeting

This course will take participants and their K9s through the optimal techniques for maintaining high speed, and reliable response in A-to-B laser targeting.

Class Instructors:

Thomas Schuppe
Owner/Director
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Engagement Unleashed: Fixing Hesitation and Drive Issues in Patrol Dogs

This class is a high-impact, solutions-focused course designed to tackle one of the most frustrating problems in modern K9 deployments—dogs that hesitate or lack clarity in real-world engagements.

Class Instructors:

Zach Pfannenstiel
CEO
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Echelon K9
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Learning that continues beyond the classroom

Handlers return from HITS with knowledge that supports:

  • Clearer deployment judgment
  • Stronger courtroom testimony
  • More reliable detection and tracking performance
  • Better program leadership and documentation
  • Long-term improvement across K9 units
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Strengthen long-term K9 performance

Past classes show the level of instruction HITS delivers each year. Explore upcoming sessions or register to attend future training.

View current classes
Register for HITS 2026
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