Police K9 Seminar

Date: July 10th - 11th, 2024

Time: 7am - 5pm

Address: 3039 Hanley Rd, Central Point, OR 97502

Working Spot: $450 A Day

Spectator Spot: $100 A Day

Police K9 Application

Welcome to the Prodogz 2-Day Police K-9 Training Seminar with Justin Rigney and Jason Lake.

Dear Handlers, Trainers & Decoys,

Welcome to the Prodogz 2-Day Police K-9 Training Seminar with Justin Rigney. This exclusive event, spanning two days, is designed to introduce a modern and scientifically-driven approach to police dog training. Our primary objective is to assist officers in enhancing their overall program efficiency through the application of relationship-building skills, effective communication, techniques utilized in protection sports, and a comprehensive understanding of contemporary training methods.

In addition to these fundamentals, we will delve into the importance of fostering a stronger relationship with our dogs, emphasizing secondary obedience alongside understanding operant conditioning and the chemical changes in the dog's brain linked to emotions. These insights are crucial for optimizing control and performance out in the field. Outlined below is an itemized list detailing the subjects that will be covered during the seminar, catering to both handlers and their canine partners. These carefully chosen topics address areas that are frequently overlooked or misunderstood.

Moreover, we have allocated time to address specific challenges that individual teams may be facing but are not explicitly mentioned. Upon the conclusion of this seminar, our intention is to equip handlers with key takeaways that can be seamlessly integrated into their day-to-day training routines. This implementation is expected to not only reduce liability but also enhance program efficiency significantly.

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K9 Topics: Elevating Mastery

1. General Obedience Refinement

Enhance your canine companion's obedience skills through expert techniques and insights, setting the stage for a harmonious working relationship.
2. Perfecting the "OUT" Command

Master the art of timely and effective command execution, fostering precision and clarity in your canine's responses.
3. Unveiling Stronger Article Indication

Navigate the intricacies of article indication with finesse, ensuring your working dog's unparalleled efficiency in crucial tasks.
4. Cultivating Robust Recalls

Build an unbreakable recall response, enabling your dog to return to your side promptly and reliably, even in challenging scenarios.
5. Reinforcing "Call Off" Commands

Develop a rock-solid "call off" command, asserting your authority and ensuring immediate cessation of ongoing actions.
6. Nurturing Grip Development

Uncover the secrets of grip development, a cornerstone for various specialized tasks, and enhance your dog's proficiency.

Handler Topics: Forging Expertise

1. Decoding Operant Conditioning

Dive deep into the world of operant conditioning, understanding its nuances and harnessing its power to shape desired behaviors.
2. Exploring Classical Conditioning

Explore the principles of classical conditioning and leverage them to create positive associations and behaviors in your working dog.
3. Building Indomitable Relationships

Craft unbreakable bonds with your canine partner through proven relationship-building strategies, fostering trust and cooperation.
4. Mastering Play Techniques

Immerse yourself in play techniques that not only strengthen your bond but also serve as effective rewards during training.
5. Elevating Secondary Obedience

Enhance your dog's secondary obedience skills, ensuring seamless and reliable responses in various contexts.
6. Unmasking E-collar Techniques

Gain insights into effective E-collar usage, maximizing its benefits while ensuring your dog's comfort and well-being.
7. Grasping Contingency Plans

Understand the importance of contingency planning, equipping you to navigate unexpected situations with confidence and poise.
8. Fostering Confidence

Empower your working dog with unwavering confidence through proven techniques, preparing them for any challenge that may arise.

About Instructor Justin Rigney

Justin Rigney has over 30 years of professional dog training experience and was a Law Enforcement Officer for 17 years, 10 of which he spent as a K-9 handler and trainer. His unique back ground and experience in civilian dog training as well as Police service dog training sets him a part from other trainers in his field. Justin’s passion for dog training is evident as he has assisted thousands of pet dog owners in enhancing their relationship with their dogs, bridging the gap of communication with their beloved four legged family members.

Justin utilizes a proven, reliable, humane and clear, real world training system, which produces results and a dog who knows its job and loves its job. During his Law Enforcement career, Justin was fortunate enough to have been able to work three patrol dogs. Justin is a former member of the Davie Police Department and their K‐9 unit where he was a handler for K‐9 “Vader”, a Belgian Malinois who was produced from his own breeding program. Going from watching Vader take his vey first breath in life, to becoming a productive K-9 partner was extremely rewarding. K-9 “Bosko”, an all black GSD (German Shepherd Dog) was responsible for hundreds of arrests and apprehensions of violent felony offenders and has been instrumental in the recovery of numerous articles of valuable evidence. Post retirement, Bosko obtained his Brevet in French Ring sport. His last patrol dog K‐9 "Zeke" is a sable GSD who has been raised from a puppy by Justin and his wife Alison. Zeke was a proven, JUSTIN RIGNEY vigilant and tenacious police service dog during his career. Most notably defending his handler during a deadly force encounter and officer involved shooting. Zeke will continue to work and compete in civilian dog sport.

Justin was a Corporal and trainer for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, which had 60 dogs department wide. During his professional dog training career he has trained with hundreds of Police K‐9 teams, competed in Schutzhund, Ring Sport and other dog sports. He has also trained dogs for celebrities, professional athletes and thousands of pet dog owners. Justin graduated and has been awarded a diploma in the NePoPo Gold training system, the modern language of dog training by Bart Bellon. Justin was formerly the President of the Florida Law Enforcement Canine Association (www.flecak9.com) and was one of the founding members. He was also a judge and instructor for FLECA. Justin has also been retained in civil litigation as an expert witness in K‐9 training, use of force and deployment. He has had the opportunity to certify and train hundreds of Police K‐9 teams. Justin continually pursues further knowledge of dog training in many different applications by training with some of the top canine trainers in the world.

About Instructor Jason Lake

Over the past couple years Jason has had the privilege and honor of assisting The Medford Police Department and other outsude agencies with their patrol dogs. The positive feedback received has inspired Hason to extend his services to other Police departments Throughout the West Coast.

Jason's main focus when working with departments is first and foremost public safety, followed by enhancing program efficiency and ensuring the long-term effectiveness of their K-9 program. Additionally, I aim to identify areas for improvement and introduce new, innovative training techniques.

More About Jason LAKE. Twenty-eight years ago, what began as a hobby evolved into a successful dog training business in Southern Oregon. Simultaneously, Jason became a competitor and instructor in the international dog sport of IGP (Schutzhund), encompassing Tracking, Obedience, and Apprehension. Presently, I hold the position of Training Director and President at The Rogue Valley Schutzhund Club (RVSC).

Besides his training business and work with the department, Jason has also contributed to his community by teaching a kids 4H club for the past 19 years. Jason Lake's training methodology is a combination of 28 years of practical experience and science-based techniques. Jason relies on classical conditioning as well as all four quadrants of operant conditioning. Whether working with officers, club members, clients, or my 4H students, Jason's goal is to help handlers establish a stronger bond with their dogs through the application of scientific principles, clear communication, and engagement.

Professional Recommendations

Bethany Brown 3619 Cannon Ave Klamath Falls, OR 97603 (907)388-9876 [email protected]

Police Departments,
It gives me great pleasure to write this recommendation for Jason Lake. Jason and I have been working together for 6 months. I am very pleased with the training, professionalism, knowledge and mentorship that I have received from him in all aspects of dog handling. Jason's knowledge, professionalism and communication skills are some of the best I have encountered. Jason's character, integrity, passion, and knowledge are unmatched. As a US Army Veteran, integrity and reliability are of the utmost importance to me in my professional relationships. Jason has surpassed my expectations of both. Jason is very ambitious and career oriented. He is always working to better himself and his profession, for owners, trainers and animals alike. He does not claim to know all the answers, but he will absolutely go out of his way to find the answers that are needed. What Jason lacks physically is matched immensely by his thorough drive, commitment to excellence and top notch communication skills.

Sincerely,
Bethany Brown

RE: Recommendation for Jason Lake

I have known Jason Lake for over 8 years and have frequently observed his performance teaching people to interact with and train dogs. Jason is very knowledgeable about all areas of dog psychology and training, and has the ability to communicate his knowledge effectively. He is excellent in identifying problems and issues with both dogs and trainers and building successful strategies to resolve any deficiencies. Jason is a good communicator; he is willing to listen and is creative in arriving at successful training strategies.
As former Jackson County Chief Parole and Probation Officer, I am confident in Jason's ability to work with law enforcement personnel and members of the community. I am pleased to recommend Jason Lake. He will be an asset to your program.
Respectfully,

Bob Grindstaff 541-621-9211

DavidLorenz 215 Shingle Mill Loop Bonners Ferry, ID 83805 541-301-1272 November 17, 2022

Lt Rebecca Pietila Patrol Lieutenant Medford Police Department 219 S. Ivy Street Medford, OR 97501

Dear Lt Rebecca Pietila:

I am writing to you regarding Jason Lake. I was told that you are considering him as a resource for the Medford Police Department K-9 program. I first met Mr. Lake in approximately 2008 when I was looking for assistance in training my pet German Shepherd. I joined the Rogue Schutzhund Dog Club that was under Mr. Lake's leadership. Mr. Lake has always impressed me with his ability to see a problem and think creatively to form a workable solution both with people and dogs. I have had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Lake use his interpersonal communication skills to resolve conflicts between club members who had a difference of opinion. As a career police officer (at the time I was with Talent PD), I appreciated the skills and tactics he used to deescalate the situation.

As mentioned previously, Mr. Lake assisted me with training my personal dog. I was very inexperienced with dog training and to say I learned an enormous amount of information is an understatement. I was amazed at how he was able to read what the dogs were doing and produce immediate solutions to the situation. Mr. Lake was willing to spend many hours with me and my dog, uncompensated, to help me attain the goals I had set. One of these goals was to pass a Therapy Dog certification. I was assigned as a detective at the time and handled our department's investigations of crimes against kids. I thought having a certified therapy dog available for kids in Jackson County might be a great resource. I was able to accomplish this certification thanks to Mr. Lake's willingness to give of his time.

I have been able to watch over the years in utter respect and amazement at how Mr. Lake is able to overcome his physical disabilities and train many well-respected competition dogs. The Schutzhund Dog Sport is a three-phase sport involving obedience, tracking and protection work. The sport was developed originally to test a German Shepherd's ability to work. This sport is exceedingly difficult for an able-bodied person. Mr. Lake has not only competed but excelled at it! At one trial we went to, his dog was able to get high marks in Obedience and Protection. However, due to his wheelchair not being charged the night before, Mr. Lake was unable to

accompany his dog during the tracking portion. Without Mr. Lake, the dog was distracted and did not do as well as he would have if Mr. Lake had been present. This was very disappointing however Mr. Lake took it in stride.

In the time I have known Mr. Lake I have seen him volunteer many hours with 4H kids teaching them how to train dogs. He spent countless hours with me helping me train my dog and many other people as well. I know through the world of Schutzhund Sports Mr. Lake has a great reputation at least as far north as Spokane, WA. Mr. Lake has taken his talents and decided to run with them by starting his own dog training company. Mr. Lake has always been very driven to succeed and excel. It has always been a pleasure knowing him and knowing that I can trust him.

If you would like additional information about Mr. Lake, please feel free to call me and I would be happy to talk with you further.

Sincerely,
David Lorenz

From: Derek A. Parks [mailto: Derek. [email protected]] Sent: Friday, June 16, 2023 9:31 AM To: Jason Lake Cc: Donald G. Lane; Justin D. McFetridge; Zachary W. Mailand; Rebecca L. Pietila Subject: MPD K-9 Training

Jason, I just wanted to thank you for the time you spent with our K-9 team. Officer McFetridge and Officer Mailand both provided the below feedback with regards to the training you provided:

-The connection you have with the dog in play has a direct correlation with how the dog will work with you
-The foundation he helped us with in marker training will definitely help our effectiveness with the dogs in high stress incidents.
-Relationship with the dog. Getting the dog more engaged with me.
- Object/target acquisition.
- Obedience and command reinforcement.
-Behavior issues.

I will reach out to you with future training needs.

Thank you,
Derek Parks | Patrol Sergeant
City of Medford, Oregon | Police Department
219 S Ivy Street, Medford, OR 97501
Ph: 541-774-2223 | F: 541-618-1735

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