The Dark Side of K9 training

The Dark Side of K9 training

Believes, hype, cult or fraud?

The K9 world is full of passion, energy, and dedication. Every weekend, thousands of handlers train their dogs in nosework, tracking, trailing, detection, search and rescue, and many other disciplines. Social media and the internet have spread ideas faster than ever before. Videos, photos, and “new” methods fly around daily, often looking spectacular. Just like the internet is full of fake news, hype, scams, and even the dark web, the K9 world has its own dark side. It thrives on ego, money, and half-truths. Trainers with loud voices, flashy results, or so-called “secret methods” attract followers not because of real science, but because hype sells better than honesty. So whenever I meet an influencer in the K9 world, I ask myself: Are you here for the money? For the ego? Or are you truly here to help the K9 world grow?

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: too many trainers are in this field not to empower handlers, not to help dogs succeed, but to:
  • Feed their egos
  • Sell lies and half-truths for profit
  • Control or bully handlers under the disguise of “tough love”

Why the Dark Side exists?

There are several reasons why bad training and poor instruction keep growing:

  • People love simple answers. Real training is slow, honest, and requires data. Science is complex. A flashy “quick fix” is far more attractive, even when it’s false.
  • Money drives hype. Some instructors sell expensive workshops, gimmicks, or products. Their business model depends on keeping handlers believing in “the secret.”
  • Ego sells confidence. Loud voices and strong opinions look like authority. Many handlers mistake ego for expertise.
  • Stories feel stronger than facts. A big show or dramatic video hides the truth. People remember the show, not the data.
  • The dogs and handlers pay the price. False promises and bad training leave scars.

A story from a workshop

I once co-taught a workshop in the USA. An older retired handler drove 22 hours with her dog to attend. She was curious, motivated, and eager to learn. On day three, her energy was gone. She looked broken. Why? Another instructor gave her an impossible task: a massive 20-classroom search with 20 people following her. Her dog alerted several times, and she rewarded him each time. At the end, the instructor announced, in front of everyone: “There was nothing in any of these rooms. All your alerts were false. You need to do more blank searches.” He laughed.

This wasn’t teaching. This wasn’t training. This was humiliation. It only served his ego. The woman left crushed, her confidence damaged. Her dog was confused. This is what happens when trainers don’t understand the science behind what they teach. Instead of helping, they hide behind authority, drama, and mockery.


Examples of Dark Side training

These are just some of the common traps:
  • Tracking trainers who always walk the track themselves. The dog learns to follow the handler’s subtle body signals, not the scent. (Classic Clever Hans effect.)
  • Detection trainers who push endless blank searches and tell handlers to “pay for searching” even when nothing is found. But where’s the science?
  • Trailing trainers who guide every step over the radio. In reality, there won’t be a coach whispering hints during a mission.
  • Directional trainers who rely on giant markers like cones or flags. Dogs chase the markers, not the cue. In real operations, those markers won’t be there.
These methods look good on video. They sell courses. But they don’t prepare dogs or handlers for the unpredictable reality of fieldwork.


Science is clear, but often ignored

We have decades of research on how dogs learn. Reinforcement builds stronger behavior than punishment. Honest data collection prevents handler cues. Blind testing reveals real performance. But the Dark Side avoids science because science is slow, precise, and humble. Ego, hype, and “showtime training” are faster, louder, and more profitable.


What is science?

Science is not the truth. Science is the process of finding the truth. It’s a moment in time: the best understanding we have right now. And when new evidence appears, science can change its mind. That doesn’t mean it lied. It means it learned more. Like the article "The misbehavior of organisms" publiced by the Brelands in 1961. A classical example how science can change its mind. 
As Dr. Ken Norris (one of Bob Bailey’s teachers) said:
"Science is a systematic way of asking questions and making it very hard to lie about the answers"

Yet, many dog trainers are afraid of science. Instead of embracing it, they try to bring scientists down with beliefs and assumptions. Why? Because deep inside they know they are selling BS, to their followers or even into their chain of command in government K9 agencies. But here’s the reality: It’s our responsibility to lift the K9 world to a higher level. If we don’t, machines, sensors, and AI will take over. Dogs will be labeled as unreliable and none of us want that to happen. Science is not our enemy. Science is the path forward. For our dogs, for our profession and for the future of K9 work.

Think – Plan – Do: The Force of training

My teacher Bob Bailey taught me a system that cuts through the hype:
  1. THINK – Define your goal.
  2. PLAN – Design your setup. Control your environment. Choose tools carefully.
  3. DO – Train. Collect data. Adjust with honesty.
This method keeps us grounded. It prevents magic thinking. It separates results from showmanship.

Training Is a technology, not magic

When I first experimented with laser cues for dogs in 1996, I didn’t just wave a pointer around. I asked:
  • Can dogs see it?
  • Is it safe?
  • How does distance, weather, or background affect visibility?
  • Can it be repeated reliably?
That’s what science looks like. Innovation must be tested, questioned, and refined. Training isn’t about “special powers.” It’s about technology, data, and discipline.


Empower people, don’t break them

A true trainer’s job isn’t to show off. It isn’t to make handlers feel small. It’s to empower. That means:
  • Teaching handlers to ask better questions.
  • Helping them measure progress honestly.
  • Sharing tools, protocols, and innovations openly.
  • Admitting when we don’t know, and exploring answers together.
This is how we build confident handlers and reliable dogs. This is how we respect both species.

Where I stand?

Let me be clear: I am not in this for the money. Everything I earn flows straight back into the K9 community. Designing and building devices to make training more efficient, supporting K9 projects worldwide and empowering handlers to become stronger and more independent. My mission is not to sell hype. My mission is to plant seeds, close the gap between trainers and scientists, spread knowledge, empower people by feedforward coaching and build bridges. Because the future of the K9 world depends on those who are brave enough to leave behind belief, cults, and ego, and step into science, honesty, and empowerment.


Final thoughts

The Dark Side of K9 training thrives on belief, hype, and ego. It humiliates handlers, damages dogs, and sells lies for profit. The bright side, Bob a true StarWars fan talked about operant conditioning as the Force in the K9 world, requires curiosity, science, and courage. It values empowerment over humiliation, honesty over drama, and results over stories. The way forward is clear:
  • Curiosity over ego.
  • Science over belief.
  • Empowerment over humiliation.

As Bob Bailey always reminded me:

“Simon, don’t fall to the Dark Side.” And neither should you!