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Welcome to the USPCA K9 Training & Resources Hub

This page is dedicated to supporting police canine teams with the knowledge and tools they need to excel in the field. Whether you're looking for cutting-edge training techniques, insights into evolving case law, essential medical advice, or practical resources to enhance your team's performance, you've come to the right place.

As a trusted leader in police canine training and certification, the USPCA is committed to providing valuable, up-to-date content to help handlers, trainers, and supervisors stay informed and prepared. Explore our curated articles, expert tips, and essential information designed to strengthen your partnership with your K9 and uphold the highest standards in public safety.

General Information

Clarity in Police Canine Training by USPCA Best Practices Group - New
K-9 Training Principles for the Modern Operating Environment by Steve White
Training Beyond Certification by Training for Failure
Building Trust and Enhancing Communication by Don Slavik - New
McK9Academies - David Ferland
K9 Handler - Dog Bond - Author Unknown - New
Testing for a Proper Police Dog

Enhancing Police K9 Unit Effectiveness Through Supervisory Oversight and Strategic Policies - New

Preparing for the "Long Run" 
 The Learning Curve by Don Sterling
 Optimizing K-9 Deployment Strategies: A Data-Driven Approach - New
 What affects a K9 Team's success? 
 I am a Police Service Dog 
Cooking Up A Great Training Session by Robin Greubel - New
The Start is the Most Difficult Part
Basic Police Working Dog Training Academy: Things That Should Be Considered Before Making Your Choice By Bubba Howell
Understanding the Capacity of Police Canines to Modify Their Behavior - New
Glossary of Terms often used in Police Canine Training, Deployments, Depositions, and Court Room Situations
Navigating the Police K-9 Import Business by Steve Pearson
For Trainers: Advancing Your Problem-Solving Skills - New
Best Practices in Contemporary Canine Policing by Scott Sargent
The Role of Bug Dogs in Forensic Investigations by Susan M. Stejskal, PhD, DABT (retired)
Disruptive Consequences of Heavy Punishment - New
The smaller agency dilemma for use of force K-9s By Dr. David "Lou" Ferland
Law Enforcement Canine – Going Away or Staying? - It is Up to Us By John Kerwick
How the Natural Heating and Cooling of Air Effects Odor and Scent - New

Behavior Conditioning

Negative Punishment
Not Using Force in Police Dog Training
Body Language
Promoting Positive Training Methods 

Tracking

Advanced Tracking

K9 Supervisors 

You Are Now a K9 Supervisor, Not What? New

Fundraising

Successful Fundraising for K-9 Units: A Guide for Law Enforcement Agencies by David Ferland

Canine Health 

2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and Companion Animals
Understanding Heat Injury
2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and Companion Animals
 Canine Field DECON
 Protecting the Law Enforcement Canine from the Opioid Epidemic by Dr. Paul McNamara DVM, DACVS
 Pushing the Limits and K9 Fitness by Erica Boling
 Handling Police Canine Medical Emergencies by Dr. Paul McNamara DVM, DACVS
 Naloxone Reversal of Intravenous Fentanyl on Odor Detection in Working Dogs
Keeping an Eye on the Target: Maintaining a Mission Ready K9 by Erica Boling
CONTROLLED CHAOS Guidelines for Increasing Stamina & Endurance by Erica Boling
Keys to Canine Health by Dr. Paul McNamara DVM, DACVS
Ebola and the Law Enforcement Canine by Dr. Paul McNamara DVM, DACVS
Understanding Heat Injury
Rapid Response to Injury  by Dr. Paul McNamara DVM, DACVS
Cyanide Toxicity and the Working Canine by Dr. Paul McNamara DVM, DACVS
Rethinking Heat Injury in Working Dogs
 Canine influenza update by Dr. Paul McNamara DVM, DACVS
Understanding Heat Injury in the Operational Canine
Controlled Chaos: Guidelines for Increasing Stamina & Endurance by Erica Boling

Legal

Changing Graham Standard by Scott Sargent
Model Canine Police by Scott Sargent
Guidance on Policies and Practices for Patrol Canines
Model Administrative K9 Manual  1-2023 by Scott Sargent
Agency Liability Issues by Michael Kmiecik
A Guide to Effectively Presenting body-camera Evidence at Trial by Eugene Ramirez
Canton v. Harris: A Retrospective on Constitutionally Adequate Police Training by Eugene P. Ramirez & Lynn Carpenter
United States Police Canine Association’s Position On Patrol Canine Handler Core Competencies Framework

 United States Police Canine Association YouTube Videos