VWK9 Academy has over 80 years of  combined unrivaled  experience with the employment and utilization of detection canines in hostile environments, around the world. We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to client needs, and  understand that  knowledge, operational environments, and threat levels vary greatly among organizations  We are able to develop and implement training courses specific to organizational needs and provide a wide-array of solutions at our Academy as well as  on location maintenance and advanced training, operational certification, basic/advanced course instruction, and 3-5-day instructional seminars through our mobile training teams.

Beyond our Operational experience, our key trainers  were involved in the  concept development and inception of Auburn University’s initial Vapor Wake^® Breeding and Patented Training Program.  These individuals are listed on the patent issued by the Unites States Patent Office, bringing a wealth of knowledge on the background, development and delivery of this technology.  Our Key Training Team was also instrumental in the concept development of TSA’s current Passenger Screening Canine Program.

VWK9 is the innovator of body-worn explosive detection and the only provider in the industry that has actively deployed Vapor Wake^® Canines for Mass Pedestrian Screening for the last decade.  Vapor Wake Canines are the only lab tested scientifically proven explosive detection canine, and our patented technology and training processes are a direct reflection of our unwavering commitment to excellence. 

We take pride in each of our canines and handlers and go to great lengths to maintain the highest of selection criteria, advanced training protocols and processes that are critical in the proficiency and professionalism of our VW/EDCT’s, and we apply these same standards of excellence to our Law Enforcement Canines (LE-K9) that have diverse requirements that vary within capability.  

VWK9 Academy Canine Handler Training

VWK9 Academy offers courses for canine handlers of all experience levels year round. Courses offered include introductory courses designed to teach the basics and best practices for utilizing detection canines in various deployment scenarios including explosives, firearm, and narcotics detection. VWK9 Academy is the only academy in the world that offers training courses in the patented Vapor Wake® non-obtrusive detection capability.

A brief description of all VWK9 Academy courses offered in 2020 can be found below. If you’re interested in receiving more information about a specific course, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Specialized Courses

These specialized courses offer intensive instruction in one aspect of canine training and deployment for experienced canine handlers and canine department managers/supervisors. VWK9 Academy’s specialized courses cover a wide range of topics including methodologies for imprinting odors, handler selection and scheduling, department management, and operating in high-risk scenarios.