K9 Training Program
Since 2012, the Boone County Sheriff's Office has offered K9 training to Mid-Missouri area law enforcement agencies. Our staff conducts training year round for new K9 teams and provides ongoing K9 maintenance training.
K9 Handler Course List
Dual Purpose K9 Handler
This intensive eight-week program prepares new handlers to operate effectively within a Narcotics Detection and Patrol K9 Unit. The course blends classroom instruction with extensive hands-on training, ensuring handlers gain both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for success in the field. Classroom topics include breed history, scent theory, K9 first aid, report writing and record keeping, operational tactics, and officer safety.
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Throughout the course, handlers train side by side with their assigned dog, developing teamwork and proficiency in obedience, narcotics detection, tracking, building searches, area searches, article recovery, and controlled aggression. Training scenarios are conducted in diverse environments and at varying times of day to reflect real-world conditions. This rigorous, immersive approach ensures handlers graduate with the skills and confidence to deploy their K9 partner effectively in a wide range of law enforcement operations.
Single Purpose K9 Handler
This four-week program is designed to prepare new handlers for deployment in a specialized detection role within a law enforcement K9 Unit. Students will select one of two training tracks: Narcotics Detection or Explosives Detection. The course begins with a strong foundation in obedience training to build control, communication, and trust between handler and dog.
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Once obedience skills are established, each team advances into their chosen track, focusing on the principles of detection work, search patterns, scent theory, and real-world deployment scenarios. Training is conducted in a variety of environments and conditions to ensure adaptability and reliability in the field. By the end of the course, handlers will have the knowledge and practical experience necessary to effectively deploy their K9 partner in specialized detection operations.
K9 Maintenance Training
Our K9 Maintenance Training program provides ongoing, structured training sessions to ensure that your dual-purpose narcotics/patrol teams continue to perform at the highest professional standards. Training emphasizes the development of well-rounded, social police dogs while reinforcing critical skills such as obedience, narcotics detection, explosives detection, tracking, building searches, area searches, article recovery, and controlled aggression. In addition, handlers and their K9 partners receive problem-solving guidance and scenario-based training to strengthen performance in real-world environments.​
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As part of the program, we also provide annual K9 Team Certification, testing each team in all areas according to the standards of the Missouri Police Canine Association. This ensures your K9 unit maintains operational readiness and meets the rigorous expectations of law enforcement service.
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Beginning in 2026, handlers enrolled in our K9 handler maintenance program, will be able to receive all the CEU's they need to maintain their Peace Officer license with POST from us.