The Working Dog Depot Podcast

Dec 8

Send us a text Simon Prins Simon is a specialist in animal behavior and training, with over 25 years experience of handling and training dogs for police and military operations. His ground-breaking work lies at the intersection of robotics, sensors, and canine abilities, contributing to remarkable success in a wide range of missions. He has trained a multitude of dogs and handlers from special units across the world, rooted in his firm belief that science can significantly enhance our interactions and work with animals. He became a patrol dog handler after joining the Dutch police force, and in 1996 he set up an innovative k9 research and development project, integrating it with covert operations. This involved conceptualizing and developing a training program for radio-guided camera dogs, a system that has achieved global recognition and application. In 2002, Simon handpicked and trained 16 dogs and their handlers to initiate USAR, a dedicated search and rescue operation. His pioneering approach took another step forward in 2006 when he began merging dogs and electronics, outfitting radio-directional canines with sensors and enabling them to carry small robots into operations. Throughout his career, Simon has written numerous training protocols, invented innovative training apparatus, and is in constant demand internationally both as a speaker and a provider of training workshops. He is a staunch advocate of operant conditioning, and is passionate about empowering trainers through tailor-made coaching techniques, seeking to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and practical training to optimize the effectiveness of operational dogs. Currently, Simon leads his own company, ACT!, where he continues to innovate within the remit of police and military k9 training. Checkout Simon's website simonprins.com. It's a treasure trove of information and products. We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org. Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code. Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9 . Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com. Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us

Nov 18

Send us a text Pacific Coast K9 started operations in May 2004 and specializes in exceptional high drive sporting breeds for detection work. We train and sell approximately 120 dogs per year, with the majority of those being Labradors for single purpose detection work (narcotics, explosives, currency, arson, cadaver, etc.). Our many satisfied long-term clients include the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Canada Customs (CBSA), Washington State Patrol, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P), MSA Security, as well as multiple police departments, county sheriff’s offices and security companies. Pacific Coast K9’s facility in Washington State is set on 10 acres, with a 48 run indoor kennel, a 5000 square foot training building, vehicles consisting of cars and buses as well as large open areas. We maintain an average of 30 to 40 dogs at our facility and can supply dogs as needed. We would be happy to provide you with numerous references. Our excellent reputation was built on the quality of our working dogs, our professionalism, and a high ethical standard. Pacific Coast K9 offers an intangible that many other trainers and vendors cannot: The staff at Pacific Coast K9 have over 60 years of combined experience training and working every type of K9 we sell. Our staff expertise includes prior military, police, customs (U.S. and Canada), federal agent, and search and rescue. Ken Pavlick, the co-owner and head trainer for Pacific Coast K9, began his K9 career in the United States Air Force in 1982, where he handled, trained, and supervised patrol dogs, explosive detection dogs and drug dogs. In 1986, Ken began work with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in California, where he worked both cross-trained patrol/ narcotic detection dogs and a bloodhound for man trailing. In 1994, Ken moved to Idaho where he was tasked with starting a K9 program for Canyon County Sheriff’s Department. Under Ken’s expertise and training, their unit grew to 15 working K9 teams, 10 of those teams being sporting breeds (single purpose narcotic detection dogs) working patrol, in the jail, narcotics units and with school resource officers. Ken also trained over 40 single purpose narcotic detection dogs and handlers for agencies throughout Idaho. Ken handled multiple dogs on SWAT teams at his departments in We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org. Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code. Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9 . Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com. Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us

Oct 14

Send us a text You can't help but take an immediate liking to Nic. He's humble and passionate about working dogs and helping handlers. As we celebrate our third season we couldn't have had a better guest on the show. We got to sit down with Nic at the ATK9 conference and hear his story. Clearly there are things Nic couldn't share with us, but his story is special and we are so appreciative for what he has done. NAME: NIC FONTAINE BIO: Currently owner operator of KILO III, LLC www.kiloIII.com and 3 rd Special Force’s Group Multi-Purpose Canine Master Trainer Fort Bragg, NC. Retired US Army Special Operations K9 handler with 26 years of service. Deployed 14 times in support of the Global War on Terror. K9 Background and Certifications: - United Police Working Dog Association Master Trainer (UPWDA), and certification authority - United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Combat Handlers Course - Special Operations MPC Handler and Team Leader - Tracking and trailing trainer throughout Africa on multiple trips for African Parks Rangers conducting anti-poaching operations - Explosives Handling and Explosive Demolitions Course Certified - Improvised Explosive, Mass quantity explosive, Post Blast threat search Certified - Canine Down Advanced Medical Course - Instruct Canine Training extended Tracking Course’s - Multiple K9 Decoying and Canine Bite Development Course’s - Instructor and Trainer course’s at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX as well as Global K9 Protection Group - Primary Instructor for five USASOC MPC course’s - Assigned as lead to begin the start of the Specialized Search Dog (SSD) program for entire DoD at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX - Instructor to multiple inter agency LE/MIL swat, NATO, and K9 integration seminars - UPWADA Master Trainer - NEPOPO® Silver School Graduate - NEPOPO® Gold School Graduate - 3 rd SFG (A) MPC Master Trainer, Ft. Bragg, NC OWNER/OPERATOR KILO III CONSULTING LLC: NIC FONTAINE POSITION: MASTER TRAINER/INSTRUCTOR KILO III CONSULTING LLC. 465 Derby Lane HOPE MILLS, NC 28348 We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org. Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code. Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9 . Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com. Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us

Sep 9

Send us a text Mark Connolly K9 Command A dedicated law enforcement officer with a deep passion for K9 work, Mark reentered law enforcement and is currently serving as a Police K9 Handler with his agency. With years of experience, he continues to bring his expertise in training and handling working dogs. A former Police K9 Handler and K9 Training Director for multiple departments, Mark has handled a wide range of working dogs throughout his career. He is currently handling his fifth police dog and continues to make significant contributions to his department’s K9 unit. During his time as a K9 Training Director, Mark certified numerous dogs to the North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) national standards and trained police K9 officers to achieve their certification levels. His impact extends beyond his direct work with K9s, as he has turned underperforming K9 units into highly respected divisions within their departments, earning the respect of veteran K9 trainers and handlers nationwide. Mark’s life changed forever on April 11th, 2005, when he and K9 Cliff were involved in a high-speed vehicle pursuit of three armed gang members. The chase ended violently in a gunfight, during which Mark was struck by three bullets fired by the fleeing suspects. Remarkably, his bulletproof vest stopped the fatal shot, saving his life. This event ultimately earned Mark both the Purple Heart and a Valor Award for his bravery. Although the incident altered the course of his career, his commitment to serving his community and pursuing justice has never wavered. In addition to his law enforcement work, Mark continues to help K9 teams across the country, providing training and support. He is also passionate about educating the public on dog behavior and training, ensuring dogs are well-integrated members of their communities. Mark volunteers regularly with local animal shelters and humane societies and serves as a board member for the Lincoln County Animal Advisory Board and the Dangerous Dog Board. Mark’s service extends beyond his local community. He has also served on the IACP Legislative Committee as Secretary, working on behalf of the International Association of Canine Professionals. We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org. Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code. Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9 . Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com. Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us

Aug 15

Send us a text Robin has been involved in detection work since 2001, beginning in wilderness and human remains detection (HRD), which expanded into disaster work. She trains and deploys with Nebraska Task Force 1 and Iowa Task Force 1. She is a certified explosives and narcotics detection dog handler. ​Robin also works at the nexus of academia and business, managing people and relationships from both sides of the table. Whether working with small business, tier 1 research institutions or fortune 500 companies, she found common ground, allowing both sides to achieve their goals. ​Her focused education in behavior technology started in 2016 by attending two Chicken Workshops (Behavior Technology Workshops). In 2018 she completed a four month resident apprenticeship with Parvene Farhoody, Phd. In 2022, Robin completed the Scandinavian Working Dog Institute year long Master K9 Trainer Program. She uses many of the same techniques she honed training dogs to advance initiatives in organizations she managed, whether she was paid by them or not. By c oaching the human , she provides students with a deeper understanding of the behaviors they are trying to achieve, not only in their K9 partner but in other people as well. Her progressive, research-based training translates theory into practice, empowering people to truly collaborate with others, no matter the language they speak. ​Robin serves as a Center Evaluator for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) where she coaches university researchers, industry and non-profit center members on how to best collaborate and operate efficiently and effectively in a startup-like environment. ​ Robin is an associate certified coach through the International Coaching Federation. She uses the world of working dogs for e ngaging keynotes, workshops and training sessions. Podcast Link https://www.k9detectioncollaborative.com/K9 Detection Collaborative | Podcast | Dog Training Discussions The K9 DC Podcast talks practical K9 training advice with humor and a big dose of theory. We include interviews with top dog trainers, practitioners, and scientists. We keep it fun, honest, and ra We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org. Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code. Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9 . Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com. Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us

Jul 22

Send us a text I've known of the gentleman in this episode for over 30 years, but just actually met him face to face around 6 months ago. Ken is one of the pioneers as it relates to working k9's in the state of North Carolina. It is likely that he introduced the Malinois to police work in NC. The description below does not come close to describing his accomplishments or contributions to the police K9 community. If you don't know his name there's a good reason. From my perspective Ken doesn't have a huge social media footprint. The reason is that he is still very actively working procuring and training dogs and not focused on self promotion. It was an honor to pick his brain and stroll down memory lane. Orchard Knoll K9 was started in 1983 by Ken Mathias. Ken was with the Raleigh Police Department and started Raleigh's Police K-9 Program. Ken’s original donated dog failed on the street prompting Ken to sell his truck and purchase Juno a Belgian Malinois imported by Gerry Lapham from Germany. Juno became the first Malinois in the United States to achieve the United States Police Canine Associations PD1, PD2 and Detector Dog certification. Ken continued to import dogs from Europe for Police Departments across the United States providing over 5000 top quality dogs for police service. Ken continued with the Raleigh Police Department rising through the ranks across multiple divisions until retirement at the rank of Division Commander (Major). Upon retiring from Raleigh Police Department Ken went on to become a special agent with the NC Department of Special Investigations serving as their Program Coordinator and K9 trainer. Ken is now retired from the SBI, but working diligently procuring and training dogs at Orchard Knoll. Contact Ken at: ken@orchardknollk9.com or (919) 622-4807. We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org. Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code. Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9 . Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com. Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us

Jun 26

Send us a text No special guest for episode #50. We reflected on the previous 49 episodes and discussed changes that we have made to our detection and tracking. Some of these changes came from ideas from some of our guests. Some of these changes have proven to be very helpful with certain dogs, but the one constant is that they are not all the same. What works particularly well for one dog may not work so well for the next. So, as we have said many times on the podcast you have to train the dog in front you. With more tools in our tool belt we now find ourselves evaluating what method works best with each particular dog. There is not one method that works perfectly for every dog. Many of the things we do are nuanced. One person may do it slightly different and yield a different result. The more you learn the more you evolve and grow. These are the things that makes this work so interesting. We appreciate each of you and thank you for listening. Please continue to support our sponsor. Keep giving us ideas for guests on future episodes. We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org. Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code. Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9 . Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com. Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us

May 20

Send us a text We truly enjoyed interviewing Tony. There will likely be a second episode. After listening to this one we know you'll see why we need to have him on again. Lots of subjects were covered in a slightly longer episode than normal. Tony Pallotta started training dogs in 1993, with over 25 years of experience thus far, his knowledge and experience has made him a leader within his industry. Like most it is not uncommon he started out in obedience training and found within him the passion and desire to learn, absorb and to become more competent and proficient within. It was with that mindset and goal he began to study and train in the sport of Schutzhund. Once he became proficient in Schutzhund as a successful handler and decoy. He realized early on that he felt there were some key components missing that caused him to raise some questions about what was being achieved and what was being taught to believe in. Subsequently he continued on with his desire to study and research and he began to prepare dogs for protection sports. This tested the handler's skills as well as the dog's skills to work in un-patterned programs. This is known as a real street type application in personal protection for both K9 and Handler. This experience allowed the furthering of comprehension and knowledge base by competing in protection venues such as, K9 Pro Sport's, Sundog Protection Pro Series and Iron dog. His desire to understand and specialize within the field took him to Italy. While in Italy working with Renzo Zolli and his community of training partners reaching into Austria and abroad, there a re-affirmation of skill set and advancement occurred. The realization that there was so much more to learn he continued on his travels to study disciplines and to further acquire a knowledge of skills and excellence, it was then that he landed in the Netherlands and began working with Erik Huft in the KNPV program. This was an unanticipated, eye opening experience for Tony and a catapult into a whole new style of training in the world of working dogs. At that time little was known about the Royal Dutch Police Dog Association Program outside of the Netherlands. Many of the world's Elite Military and police K9's have come from this program and it was with great honor for Tony to have been given the opportunity to work and study with such high caliber trainer's. https://workingk9.ca/workingk9-trainer.html We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org. Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code. Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9 . Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com HLTK9 Conference continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com. Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us