We specialize in practical drills to sharpen your dog’s tracking/trailing/detection and apprehension skill set. Along with creating more well rounded handler.
Practical is the mindset.
While certifications for departments are there for a reason, certification’s are only the bare minimum when it comes to the work on the road.
We put together drills that bring cues (change in body language) to the surface for a handler that may have a hard time reading their partner.
Set up specific environments so the dog can build confidence in the work space.
Team drills for the apprehension K9s. No one likes to admit it but accidental bites on teammates happen too much in my opinion and frankly get looked over………..it boils down to a lack of control and poor handling. Most want to blame the dog, when the dog is doing what it does best….being a dog. Learn to fight with your K9 partner. We get it the dog is there to provide the officer time and space. But what if you can step in…..of course being able to justify the need to help your k9 partner… but learn to flow with the dog using the leverage that they apply on a threat to neutralize with less lethal force. The rules of engagement go much deeper than what they read if you want everyone to go home safe.
“Joe Haycraft introduced me into the dog world, and the foundation I received at Kilo 9iner Dog Club changed everything for me. Under his guidance, I watched my 150-pound Cane Corso transform into a dog that could walk 2×4 planks, climb ladders, and protect his family without question. That level of training and discipline set the standard for what was possible and built the groundwork for my own career.
Kilo 9iner is not about gimmicks or shortcuts. It is real-world, no-nonsense training where you are held accountable. Joe teaches handlers to be fair but firm, and he drives home a truth every serious dog handler must live by: your dog will only put out what you put in. That mindset shaped me as a handler and allowed me to rise above, ultimately earning the position of K9 Sergeant with the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
What stood out most were the realistic scenarios—life as it truly plays out when your dog is in public. These weren’t “good dog, here’s a treat” drills. Kilo 9iner prepared me and my dogs for reality, for pressure, and for respect between K9 and handler.
Joe Haycraft and Kilo 9iner Dog Club don’t just produce obedient dogs—they forge capable teams built to perform when it matters. My success as a K9 Sergeant is proof of the results that only come from this level of training.”
Sgt. Josh Garrett, Retired Louisville Metro Department of Corrections
K9 narcotics unit #301
Our program will make your percentage of finds rise, you will have more successful apprehensions, and less of a liability for your team.
“Dog training is a complicated field of study and it is hard as a pet owner or working dog handler to find credible training. I am a police dog handler from Canada who is pretty guarded about who I will work or train with, but Kilo 9iner Dog Club was trusted as a source of training and proved to be a good learning experience for the dog and I.
I became aware of this facility through social media and have consistently observed quality dogs and training from there. At the time I went to their facility, I was already heading to South Carolina, USA to conduct some tracking training with another source. However, I made a point of contacting Joe ahead of time to plan to spend a day at Kilo 9iner Dog Club training too. We were welcomed to come and train on a day I would be travelling through the Louisville/New Albany area.
We attended Kilo9inerclub in Spring of 2023 with my tracking dog and did a full day session of tracking, obedience, agility and finished with protection training with necessary breaks in between. The approach to initial meeting was great- Joe assessed our current abilities and we created a tailored training plan for the day that was challenging, but manageable. The basis for this training philosophy includes handler and dog teams triumphing through realistic, but surmountable stressors that canine teams might face in the real world. This creates effective results in canine teams that can withstand the pressures of the working environment of the dog team. From my understanding, Joe has experience training under different training philosophies and draws from that experience to inform his current approach. A tell of a good trainer is that their personal dogs also shine- Echo and Deakon were two dogs raised by Joe from the facility and they were very focused and hard dogs when needed. They were also stable and relaxed when instructed to be.
I would recommend this facility as a source for training for anyone in their locale with working dogs or even a pet dog who wants to sharpen their skills as a handler. For those who might be looking to travel for training- Joe is a hospitable person and should exceed your expectations. I also want to point out that Joe shared some of his dog’s pre-prepared raw food supply with my dog since he had been fasting due to travel. Simple generosity like that goes a long way to forming a lasting impression.
– Canadian LEO K9 Handler- J.M. “
