Be the change agent the K9 community needs
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Change agents are essential for driving progress in the K9 community. Without them, we remain stuck in outdated methods, ineffective training techniques, and, worst of all, a culture of polarization that holds us back. We need people who are willing to step up, challenge the status quo, and create a better future—for both dogs and handlers. The question is: Are you one of them?
I see many passionate, dedicated, and humble change agents in the K9 world. I also know how difficult it can be to lead change. It’s frustrating. It’s lonely at times. You will face resistance from those who fear the unknown or feel threatened by new ideas. But I promise you—change is happening. And you are not alone.
The need for change in K9 training.
When I started my career in tracking and detection, coercion was a standard part of training. There was no quality control. I was stunned at how poorly many K9 teams performed in training—yet they were still deployed in real operations where their work led to arrests. Arrests based on anecdotal evidence delivered by unproven dogs.
I saw tracking dogs that couldn’t handle rural tracking being asked to work hard surface tracks. Handlers would come up with all sorts of excuses when their dogs failed to find a suspect. I saw narcotic and explosive detection dogs give so-called 'indications of interest,' and handlers would tell grand stories about how their dogs reacted to trace amounts of scent. Meanwhile, those same dogs couldn’t find 50 grams of their target odor in a controlled lineup. This was unacceptable.
And yet, change is happening. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting hundreds of K9 teams that are doing magnificent work. These handlers have strong relationships with their dogs, train with intelligence and dedication, and operate at the highest levels of professionalism. These are the people who are proving that change is not only possible—it is already underway.
Creating a positive and professional K9 community.
To bring real change, we must rule out polarization. Divisions in the K9 community serve no one. They do not improve dog training. They do not make us better handlers. And they certainly do not help the dogs. Instead, we need to build a safe environment where people and dogs can learn. We must make training more fun, more effective, and more professional.
Being a change agent in the K9 world means:
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Challenging outdated methods while remaining open to learning.
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Creating a culture of collaboration instead of division.
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Holding ourselves to the highest standards of training and performance.
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Ensuring our dogs are given the best possible foundation to succeed.
Keep this in mind when teaching others.
Be a patient coach and use forward-focused feedback techniques. Create a safe and inclusive learning environment where students feel encouraged to grow.
Understand the learning process thoroughly so you can prepare in the best possible way for your students.
Don’t just repeat what others say or do—be more than a parrot. Learn, experience, apply, adapt, and most importantly, be authentic. Only then can you truly help others.
The challenges of being a change agent.
Being a change agent is tough—especially when success depends on others changing their behaviors and actions. Organizations and training programs must evolve, but change is never easy. Too often, those leading change are the ones blamed when transformation doesn’t happen fast enough.
I’ve been leading change for decades, and I understand the challenges. I’ve faced skepticism, resistance, and even hostility. But I’ve also seen incredible progress. And I believe in what we’re doing. That belief, along with perseverance and a focus on the goal, keeps me moving forward.
Change is a shared responsibility.
As change agents, we must ask ourselves:
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Are we truly listening to others and asking the right questions to foster engagement and acceptance?
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Are we improving the mission of our work by ensuring that handlers and dogs perform at their best?
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Are we building strong relationships, knowing that lasting change is built on trust?
Change is not the responsibility of one person. It is a shared mission. Instead of blaming others, we must each play our part. Together, we can change the K9 community for the better.
Keep going—you are not alone.
If you’re a change agent, don’t give up. Hang in there. I see the progress. I feel the shift. And I know that together, we are building something better.
Stay strong. Keep pushing. The K9 world needs you.