K9 SAR SUMMIT
A free 5-day virtual training event for search & rescue K9 handlers
Learn from top trainers and industry experts, each offering fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to elevate your SAR training and ensure your team’s success when it matters most.
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Sponsored by
Being a SAR K9 Handler isn’t easy
It’s a meaningful calling—but it comes with real challenges. As handlers ourselves, we’ve been there.
That’s why it’s no surprise if you’ve found yourself in at least one of these situations:
- You’re dealing with a training issue but don’t know how to fix it—or where to turn for reliable advice
- You hear a good idea or see a great trainer, but translating that into your own SAR training isn’t always straightforward
- You’ve been piecing things together, hoping it all clicks, but the results aren’t always consistent
- You’re tired of spending money on travel or online programs only to walk away with more questions than answers
It’s frustrating to feel like you’re doing everything right…but still unsure if you’re training in the most effective way for YOUR dog and YOUR training.
That’s exactly why we created the K9 SAR Summit—to give you a shortcut to the insights, strategies, and support from experts that will help you train and deploy your dog with confidence.
You’re already doing good work—but we owe it to the people we search for to keep getting better
Imagine what your training would look like if you could…
- Approach tough training problems with a clearer plan and better decision-making
- Understand the “why” behind the behaviors you see—so you can train more effectively
- Strengthen your dog’s performance, focus, and reliability especially in real-world conditions
- Get more out of your current training sessions without needing to completely start your training over
- Avoid common mistakes that lead to confusion, frustration, or wasted training time
- Expand your perspective with insights you won’t get from typical SAR-only workshops
This is exactly what you’ll learn at the K9 SAR Summit!
We built this summit to be the kind of
training resource we wish we’d had earlier
Every speaker was hand-picked to challenge your thinking, expand your training toolbox, and help you build a more reliable, capable search dog.
This lineup was curated with one goal in mind: to help you train smarter, avoid common mistakes, and take you and your dog’s performance to the next level.
NO FLUFF
NO TRAVEL REQUIRED
FOR NEW & EXPERIENCED HANDLERS
Meet Your Speakers
Five focused days. Practical strategies from leaders across SAR and working-dog disciplines.
Foundations That Prepare You for Success
Selecting a Successful Detection Dog Prospect
Visualizing Odor Plumes in Detection K9 Training
Tug, Toss, Teamwork: Exploring Motivation & Drive Through Toy Play
The Penn Vet Working Dog Center Canimetrics Program
The Right Dog, The Right Job
Tools & Techniques to Increase Focus in Your K9
Beat the Heat: Handler Strategies to Condition and Protect Your K9 Partner
Training for Real-World Reliability
Designing Training to Prepare Your Dog for the Real World
Marker Techniques to Improve Speed and Accuracy in Learning
Performance Under Pressure: Reflective Practices for High-Functioning K9 Teams
XXT - Intervention for Choking in an Unconscious Dog
Are You and Asset or a Liability?
Scent Science - The Lab to the Field
Creating a Dependable Field-Ready K9
Three Case Studies Tackling Off-Target Alerts in Conservation Detection K9s
Leveraging the Power of Pre-Alert Behavior for More Confident Finds
Heavy Metal Exposure Risks of FEMA Dogs Deployed to Maui
Booties & Bandaging: Proven Techniques from the Field
Programs for Maintaining Handler Field-Ready Fitness
Adaptive Deployment Strategies: Preparing Your Dog for After Certification
Replay Day
Catch-Up Replays
We know many of you are volunteers with day jobs, families, and other commitments—so Day 4 gives you dedicated time to watch presentations you missed, revisit key sessions, and review notes so you don't miss anything that will take your training to the next level.
Flexible
Zero FOMO
On Your Schedule
Live Training & Q&A
Apply What You Learned
Final chance to watch replays plus a live training and Q&A with hosts Deana and Kathleen. See how we’re integrating the lessons—and how our new Training Membership opportunity will help you put them to work in your own training.
Real Examples
Action Steps
Your Questions—Answered
Scholarship
Win a Full Year in Our Training Membership
We’re dedicated to helping you train the most reliable K9 partner you can and to making the process as straightforward as possible. To help, you’ll hear about our Training Membership here and there throughout the summit.
On the final day, one handler will be selected to win a full year scholarship and have instant access to our Training Membership created to help you build and maintain a field-ready search dog.
Stay tuned for details and your chance to apply!
Meet Your Host
We’re handlers too—and like you, we’re always looking for better ways to train
The team behind the K9 SAR Summit has spent decades in the field—training, deploying, and learning from some of the best in the business.
At the Center for Forensic Training and Education, we believe better trained handlers lead to better dogs and better outcomes on searches. That’s why we created the K9 SAR Summit.
This event reflects the same mission that drives everything we do—to bring you trusted insights, fresh perspectives, and a way to grow without wasting time or money chasing the wrong resources.
What to Expect
How the K9 SAR Summit Works
November 5–9, 2025 • 100% Virtual
The K9 SAR Summit runs from November 5–9, 2025. It’s completely online—join from anywhere with internet access, no travel required.
Curated daily presentations
Each day you’ll get access to pre-recorded presentations from top trainers, researchers, and subject-matter experts.
Catch up without falling behind
We know handlers juggle jobs, families, and callouts, so we offer a limited replay window over the weekend.
Short end-of-day takeaways
At the end of each day, the CFTE team shares a quick debrief: our favorite insights and how we see them applying to SAR K9 training.
Sunday, November 9 — with Deana & Kathleen
We’ll show how we’re incorporating lessons into our own work and how you can apply what you’ve learned.
Show up and win SAR-friendly swag
There will be opportunities to win giveaways and gear from our sponsors during the summit—just for participating.
Ongoing access + speaker bonuses
After registering, you can upgrade to the All Access Pass for ongoing access to all presentations and exclusive bonuses.
Win a Full-Year Training Membership
On the final day, one handler will be selected to win a full year scholarship and have instant access to our Training Membership.
Why this summit stands out
What Makes the K9 SAR Summit Different?
There’s no shortage of training options out there—but finding guidance you can trust and actually use in your SAR work isn’t always easy to come by.
The K9 SAR Summit has tracked down the most trusted voices, the most useful insights, and the most impactful strategies...so you don’t have to.
Here’s what sets this summit apart:
Built by SAR handlers who’ve been in your shoes
We built the summit we wish we had earlier in our own careers—to help you learn faster, avoid common mistakes, and get connected with the people, tools, and training that actually gets results.
Training perspectives that go beyond SAR
Some of the most useful techniques we’ve learned didn’t come from within the SAR industry. This summit brings in cross-discipline experts to help you train smarter with a wider lens.
Free to attend—no travel, no hotels, no registration fee
Get access to top-tier training without leaving home.
Backed by decades of real experience
After years of deployments and working with dogs in high-stakes settings, we’ve developed a sharp filter for what’s worth learning—and what isn’t. This summit brings you the best of what we’ve found.
Whether you’re overcoming a specific training challenge or aiming to raise your team’s overall performance, this summit gives you practical, field-tested guidance so you can train more intentionally and move your team forward—without the usual costs. GET YOUR FREE TICKET
Cost & Convenience
Free Summit vs. Traveling to See Everyone In Person
Same trusted experts, actionable training, and real-world strategies—without the airfare, hotels, and time away from home.
Free Summit
Most Accessible
Ticket$0
Travel$0
Lodging$0
Meals$0
Time AwayMinimal
Access to ExpertsMultiple (daily)
ReplaysLimited Window
ExtrasNo travel
Total Out-of-Pocket: $0
No travel required
In-Person (Multiple Events)
Typical
Ticket$300–$1,200+
Travel$250–$900+
Lodging$300–$800+
Meals$120–$300+
Time Away2–5 days
Access to Experts1–2 per trip
ReplaysRare
ExtrasLogistics + Time
Total Out-of-Pocket: $970–$3,200+
Plus planning & PTO
It’s not about doing more—it’s about knowing what to do next
The K9 SAR Summit introduces you to a diverse group of skilled trainers, researchers, and subject matter experts—each one selected for their ability to offer practical, trustworthy guidance that you can directly apply to your training.
You’ll leave with:
A clearer focus when it counts
A clearer understanding of what to focus on to build a reliable search dog—not just in training, but when it really counts out in the field.
Techniques for your current challenges
New techniques to help you work through the specific training challenges you’re facing right now.
Innovative ideas that move you forward
Innovative ideas on how to make meaningful progress with your dog—and strengthen your overall performance as a team.
Renewed clarity & purpose
Renewed clarity and purpose in your training—so you’re not just checking boxes, you’re building a mission-ready dog.
Whether you’re new to SAR or deep into your career, this is your chance to learn from voices you may not have crossed paths with—but absolutely should have.
We’d be honored to have you join us.
Deana & Kathleen
Frequently Asked Questions
Warm welcome—quick answers. If you don’t see your question here, we’re just an email away.
Still have questions? We’ve got you. Reach out anytime at [email protected]
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the K9 SAR SUMMIT
Five days of expert-led virtual training designed to sharpen your skills, expand your strategies, and prepare your dog for success when it matters most.
November 5–9, 2025 · Virtual Event · Free to Attend
GET YOUR FREE TICKET →