Ford K9

Ford K9 offers intensive, certification-based training programs including 80-hour Detection Dog Trainer and Handler courses, 4-day Advanced Detection and Police K-9 courses, and 5-day Puppy Cognition Instructor programs. Programs include hands-on training with multiple dogs, classroom instruction on canine cognition and odor chemistry, and certification exams. Monthly training for professional teams includes patrol, detection, and obedience drills. Online options include on-demand videos, live-streamed lectures, and coaching. All programs emphasize science-backed methods and real-world application.

Pricing Summary

Training programs range from $100/month for professional K9 team monthly sessions to $1,500–$3,000 for 80-hour detection courses. Private coaching is $75 per session. Online courses and webinars are available for purchase. Certification classes and instructor programs have separate pricing. No public pricing listed for all services; contact required for detailed quotes.

Policies

Waiver form required for participation. No specific cancellation or rescheduling policy is publicly stated. Refund or transfer policies for courses and memberships are not detailed on the website; contact required for inquiries.

Ford K9 is a dog training business founded by Cameron Ford, a U.S. Military Veteran and former Navy SEAL, Police, and SWAT K-9 handler with over two decades of experience training detection and patrol dogs for elite law enforcement and military units. The business specializes in science-based, cognitive training methods developed through partnerships with Duke University and Texas Tech University’s Canine Olfaction Laboratories. Ford K9 offers professional-level training courses for detection dogs (narcotics, explosives, cadaver, bedbug, etc.), police K-9 teams, and sport detection competitors, as well as certification programs for handlers and trainers. They also provide puppy cognition seminars and instructor certification for breeders and trainers focused on early canine cognitive development. While their primary focus is on professional and sport K-9 training, their methods and educational resources are accessible to the public through online courses, webinars, and coaching. They do not offer general family dog training or behavior modification for typical pet dogs, but their programs are ideal for owners seeking advanced, research-backed training for working or high-drive dogs.

Ford K9 provides training through in-person classes, online courses, live-streamed lectures, and one-on-one coaching. Their curriculum emphasizes odor chemistry, canine cognition, problem-solving, and handler-dog communication grounded in academic research. They also sell trained detection dogs and training gear through their store. Cameron Ford is a certifying official for multiple national K-9 associations and serves on advisory boards setting national standards for police and detection K-9s.

The business is based in Santa Rosa, California, and serves clients nationwide through online offerings and in-person training events held at various locations. They do not offer grooming, boarding, walking, or daycare services.

Ford K9 is not a general pet dog training service but is a premier provider of advanced, professional-level K-9 training and education for handlers, trainers, breeders, and serious sport enthusiasts.

Accomplishments

Cameron Ford is a former Multi-Purpose Canine Training Instructor for Navy SEAL Teams 1, 3, 5, and 7; former Police Officer and SWAT Operator with a Medal of Valor; Consulting Research Advisor for Duke University and Texas Tech University Canine Olfaction Labs; Certifying Official for NPCA, CNCA, CA POST, and DrugBeat; Member of the AAFS Dogs and Sensors Committee; and Advisory Board Member for NESDCA. Ford K9 is accredited by IACP and NESDCA.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can contact Ford K9 via phone or email to discuss program suitability. They offer a contact form for questions and recommend reviewing course descriptions on the website. New students may begin by enrolling in an online course, webinar, or signing up for an in-person class based on their goals.