Learn from nationally recognized K9 expertise
Instruction shaped by real-world K9 deployment, operational decision-making, and courtroom accountability.




AboutJeff 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.




Featured session at HITS 2026
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.







Other classes
High Risk Tracking with Limited Cover






Learn fromJeff SchettleratHITS K9
Join national-scale K9 education designed to strengthen deployment judgment, legal defensibility, and long-term operational performance.

See who else is teaching at HITS
HITS brings together prosecutors, scientists, federal advisors, and operational trainers whose instruction reflects real-world deployment and courtroom scrutiny.
















