Intermediate Human Remains Detection Seminar - May 2026
Schedule
Fri, 15 May, 2026 at 05:00 pm to Sun, 17 May, 2026 at 03:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
1294 Industrial Park Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 | New Smyrna Beach, FL
Advertisement
This class will be geared towards intermediate Human Remains Detection K9 teams. Dogs should be started, exposed to & imprinted on odor, understand the search game, have a reward and started on a Trained Final Response. They should be comfortable & confident training in new environments with new people and new dogs.The class will focus on introducing new scenarios (large area, buried, building, vehicles, elevated, shoreline, beginner rubble) while problem solving training issues. The dogs will be exposed to a large variety of source at different decomp stages. We will review imprinting on new odor, rewarding to build drive, introduce a variety of drills to hone skills & teach search behaviors, discuss how to teach the dogs search patterns, review odor movement, introduce distraction training, practice scenario based training for both large & very small threshold & solidify the trained final response. We will have the opportunity to search an active cold case. Each scenario will be adjusted as needed for the needs of the Handler and K9.
Dogs with aggression or reactivity towards other dogs or humans are not permitted, and may be asked to leave the seminar if any issues arise. They should be comfortable walking on lead, have basic obedience, focus & have a basic reward system, which could be play/tug, food or praise. Dogs will not be permitted to mark on source, and should wear a belly band or something similar if there is a possibility the dog will mark. Dogs MUST remain leashed at ALL times leaving the vehicle, while out of the vehicle, up to their turn to train or practice, no exceptions. The dog may work off leash when with the trainer, then be leashed again after the rotation as they return to the vehicle.
Please be prepared to pick up after your dog in designated break areas. You will need to bring water for you and your dog, food/toy rewards, equipment, and the ability to keep your dog in your vehicle between running your dog. We will try to move quickly in between sessions, please be prepared to be "on deck" when it is your turn to run. Please wear comfortable shoes and long pants that will allow you to be active, think about how you will carry your food or toy/tug reward, a hat and sunglasses are recommended since we will be outside if weather permits. Also bring sunscreen, snacks, a folding/outdoor chair for sitting when we debrief or have classroom time, and a notepad & pen. We will have a building to train in, but please be prepared with wet weather attire in case of inclement weather. May in Florida will be hot & humid, please be prepared to keep yourself & your dog cool. No e-collars or prong collars allowed.
This class will be limited to 12 working spots, 1 K9 per handler for $325. 3 audit spots are available at $200. Prices increase on May 1st (5/11/26) by $100.
PLEASE NOTE: All fees are non-refundable.
Trainer Bios:
Amy Couts has been training working dogs for search, rescue & recovery for both local response & disaster response since 2014. She has trained & certified 5 K9s for live scent search, Human Remains Detection, and most recently, Electronic Storage Device Detection with India. Amy has achieved SARTECH 2/FUNSAR certification through NASAR multiple times and K9 certification through AMPWDA, NAPWDA and USPCA.
Amy has trained with an extensive list of teams, handlers, trainers & task forces across the country in an effort to learn the best techniques from the best trainers in a variety of environments.
For any questions regarding the seminar please contact Amy Couts with 421 K9 SAR at [email protected] or (407) 504-7003
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
1294 Industrial Park Ave, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
