Decoy and Bite Development

Decoy and bite development is crucial for the success of any police and military canine unit. This course will assess units’ individual needs from a decoy and working dog standpoint to help develop the necessary basic skills required. Individual decoys and canines will be evaluated, and objectives will be created to train any individual shortcomings through the unit trainer and supervisor. This course is designed to teach the communication necessary between decoys and canines to develop effective and committed bite work.

The beginning stages of this course consists of a round table discussion about the psychology of bite work and its correlation to effective decoying. From there, handlers and their dogs will be evaluated to determine specific training needs. The remainder of the course will be spent teaching bite work and decoying fundamentals utilizing specific tools such as a bite table. In addition to the fundamentals, depending on individual dogs’ current capabilities, we will also work on drive capping and channeling. At the end of the training course, we will conduct another evaluation of handlers and their canines as well as decoys and provide feedback for continued training.

Upcoming dates

June 12-14

Longmont, CO

The Trainers

Assistant Trainer

Matt Foster is a 4-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and in his 9th year as a law enforcement officer. He is also the owner of Kingdom K-9 where he produces canine training equipment. Matt served as a Marine Corps IED detection K-9 handler deploying to Afghanistan during the global war on terror (GWOT). Transitioning into law enforcement, Matt worked as a dual-purpose SWAT and bomb dog handler and is still serving as a SWAT Operator, explosive breacher, and a trained K-9 Decoy.

Professional Canine Certifications:

  • NePoPo New Silver School Graduate
    NePoPo New Silver School of dog training Springfield, MO – 30 hours (2024)

  • Marathon K-9 Academy Basic Decoy Development Certification
    Basic Decoy Development Certification Arapahoe County, CO 30 Hours

  • Johnsons K-9
    K9 Dual Purpose, Detection and Patrol Training – 400 Hours (2021)
    Basic Decoy Fundamentals

  • Phase 3 Canine Tracking School
    Combat Tracking School – 60 hours (2021)

  • California Narcotics/Explosives Canine Association
    CNCA Master Explosives Detection Certification – (2014)

  • K2K9 Solutions IDD Handlers School
    IED Detection Handlers School – 200 hours (2012)

LEAD tRAINER

Ben Rader is a 21-year Veteran of the U.S. Army and the owner of Rader K9. Ben gained much of his operational experience conducting operations in the middle east during the Global War on Terror (GWOT) for a U.S. Army Special Forces Commander’s In-Extremis Force (CIF) Company, and later as a Multi-Purpose Canine Handler/Trainer. Afterwards, Ben served as the Kennel Master/Detachment Operations Sergeant for his Group. Ben is an extensively trained K-9 Decoy in both law enforcement and military K-9 applications.

Professional Canine Certifications:

  • Johnsons K-9 Trainers Course for Police
    K-9 Dual Purpose, Detection and Patrol Training – 400 Hours (2020)

  • Vohne Liche Kennels
    Dual Purpose Tactical Deployment Canine Trainer's Course - 400 Hours (December 2017)
    Dual Purpose Tactical Deployment Handler Course - 280 Hours (December 2013)

  • Joint Special Operations Command
    Multipurpose Canine Handlers Course (September 2015)

  • K2 Solutions
    Train the Trainer Course: Odor Imprinting, Tracking, Patrol Aggression, Off Leash Handling, Buried Odor Detection and Route Clearance - 160 Hours (May 2014)

  • Franco Angelini
    Police K-9 Behavior and Decoy Techniques – 40 Hour (August 2013)