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 get results.
K9 SAR SUMMIT
On demand training for search & rescue K9 handlers
Get instant access to top trainers and industry experts, each offering fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to elevate your SAR training and ensure your success when it matters most.
GET INSTANT ACCESS FOR $67 →
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
Practical sessions from leaders in SAR and working-dog disciplines — watch on your schedule.
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
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 an Asset or a Liability?
Scent Science - The Lab to the Field
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
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.
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 brings together trusted voices, useful insights, and field-tested strategies—so you can focus on training that actually moves the needle.
Here’s what sets this summit apart:
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.
Online access—no travel or logistics
Learn from anywhere without flights, hotels, or time away from 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 raising overall performance, this summit gives you practical, field-tested guidance so you can train more intentionally and move your team forward—on your schedule. GET INSTANT ACCESS FOR $67 →
Cost & Convenience
K9 SAR Summit vs. Traveling to See Everyone In Person
Same trusted experts, actionable training, and real-world strategies—without airfare, hotels, or time away from home.
K9 SAR Summit (30-Day Online Access)
Best Value
Ticket$67
Travel$0
Lodging$0
Meals$0
Time AwayMinimal
Access to ExpertsMultiple sessions
ReplaysAvailable 30 days
ExtrasNo travel
Total Out-of-Pocket: $67
Access for 30 days
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 gives you on-demand access to skilled trainers, researchers, and subject-matter experts—each selected for practical, trustworthy guidance you can apply directly to your training.
You’ll leave with:
A clearer focus when it counts
A clearer understanding of what to prioritize to build a reliable search dog—not just in training, but when it really counts in the field.
Techniques for your current challenges
Practical methods to work through the specific training problems you’re facing right now.
Innovative ideas that move you forward
Fresh approaches for making measurable progress with your dog—and strengthening your performance as a team.
Renewed clarity & purpose
Confidence in the next steps—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 a 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]
Ready to level up your SAR training with the K9 SAR SUMMIT
Gain 30 days of on-demand access to expert-led training sessions that sharpen your skills, expand your perspective, and strengthen the partnership with your search dog—so you’re ready for any mission.
30-Day On-Demand Access · $67 · No Refunds
GET INSTANT ACCESS FOR $67 →