Learn from nationally recognized K9 expertise

Instruction shaped by real-world K9 deployment, operational decision-making, and courtroom accountability.

August 25-26, 2026
Jeff Schettler
Register for HITS 2026View full speakers list
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Jeff Schettler, Tactical Tracking Specialist, Georgia K9

About
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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Featured session at HITS 2026

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Aug 25th, 2026
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8:00 am
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10:00 am

High Risk Tracking with Limited Cover

Details

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.

Small-unit tracking tactics for when you don't have enough cover—reducing risk while keeping find ratios high on armed-fugitive tracks.
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Other classes

1:30 pm
-
3:30 pm

High Risk Tracking with Limited Cover

Aug 26th, 2026
Jeff Schettler
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Learn from
Jeff Schettler
at
HITS K9

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

Register for HITS 2026View full speakers list

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.

Mike Lilley

Owner
,
MLK9
Mike Lilley is a professional K9 trainer with extensive experience in law enforcement, working dogs, and operational deployments.
See speaker

Shay Maimoni

Founder
,
Israeli Special Tactics K9
Founder and lead trainer at Israeli Special Tactics K9, specializing in muzzle fighting, drive engineering, and counter-terrorism K9 development.
See speaker

Dr. Kelvin Frank

Forensic Science Lecturer
,
FIU
Assistant professor at FIU’s Global Forensic and Justice Center, leading canine detection science, standards, and the International Commission on Detector Dogs (ICODD).
See speaker
View all speakers
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