detection & tactics
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training
Training Since 1993
About Us
The founders of D-Tac K9, Gregg and Candace Tawney have over twenty five years of experience training police dogs. The trainers are all active members of law enforcement, so clients are getting the most current and up to date training methods, case law, and tactics. We are strong believers in scenario based training and testing both handlers and dogs under stressful conditions in order to prepare them for situations they will face on the street.
In addition, D-Tac K9 prides itself on providing a ratio of one trainer to five handlers within its training groups insuring personal attention to each K-9 handler. All of our trainers have been hand selected. Each trainer has been a prior handler and all of them share the same motivational training philosophy.

Gregg’s interview on Discovery Channel
(Interview begins at the 44 second mark)
training courses
What sets us apart is we train the handler, not just the dog. Our training consists of reality-based training and stress inoculation for the handler.
Sacramento AREA
BASIC HANDLER CLASS (#2023-5)
August 15th 2023 – September 22nd 2023
Tuesday – Friday (800 – 1800)
Cost: $7,500
This class is six weeks (240 hours) and is designed for a new handler, police canine or both.
The course will prepare the handler/dog team for the POST K-9 Evaluation. In addition the handler will be instructed in animal behavior, case law, policy, police K-9 tactics, tracking, and scenario based training. During the course the canine will be imprinted in odor for detection and we will begin to shape the final response.
Sacramento AREA
Odor Detection CLASS (#2023-6)
September 26th 2023 – October 6th 2023
Cost: $2,000
This class is two weeks (80 hours) and is designed as a building block from our six week (240 hour) Basic Handler Course.
This courses designed for the handlers that have graduated from our Basic Patrol Class. Handler/K9 teams will receive an additional 80 hours of training in the field which will build upon the skills learned in the Basic Patrol Class and will be ready for a POST evaluation.
Sacramento AREA
BASIC HANDLER CLASS (#2023-7)
October 31st 2023 – December 8th 2023
Tuesday – Friday (800 – 1800)
Cost: $7,500
This class is six weeks (240 hours) and is designed for a new handler, police canine or both.
The course will prepare the handler/dog team for the POST K-9 Evaluation. In addition the handler will be instructed in animal behavior, case law, policy, police K-9 tactics, tracking, and scenario based training. During the course the canine will be imprinted in odor for detection and we will begin to shape the final response.
Sacramento AREA
Odor Detection CLASS (#2023-8)
December 12th 2023 – December 22nd 2023
Cost: $2,000
This class is two weeks (80 hours) and is designed as a building block from our six week (240 hour) Basic Handler Course.
This courses designed for the handlers that have graduated from our Basic Patrol Class. Handler/K9 teams will receive an additional 80 hours of training in the field which will build upon the skills learned in the Basic Patrol Class and will be ready for a POST evaluation.
d-tac k9
clients
Elk Grove Police Department
Citrus Heights Police Department
Folsom Police Department
Pleasanton Police Department
Amador County Sheriff’s Department
South Lake Tahoe Police Department
Sutter County Sheriff’s Department
Nevada County Sheriff’s Department
Yuba City Police Department
Marysville Police Department
Grass Valley Police Department
Pittsburg Police Department (Patrol and EOD K9s)
Napa Police Department
San Ramon Police Department
Pleasant Hill Police Department
Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department
W. Sacramento Police Department
Riverside Sheriff’s Department
Butte County Sheriff’s Department
Sierra County Sheriff’s Department
Fairfield Police Department
Vacaville Police Department
Sacramento Probation Department
contact us
Office Hours
M-F: 6am - 5pm
Sat: 7am - 4pm
Sun: Closed