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)
the elite
Our Trainers
D-TAC K9 TEAM
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 Patrol Handler Class
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, scenario based training, and article searches.
Cost: $7,500 per student
Location: Sacramento Area
Tuesday – Friday 0800-1800
Dates:
July 28 – Sept 4 2026
October 13 – November 20, 2026
Sacramento Area
POLICE K9 INSTRUCTORS COURSE
This class is six weeks (240 hours) and is designed for current police canine trainers as well as prospective canine trainers.
Cost: $8,500 per student
Location: Sacramento Area
July 28 thru Sept 4 2026
Tuesday – Friday 0800-1800
The course will cover canine selection, training of new canine prospects, training current police canines, decoy techniques, police canine tactics in patrol, how to conduct reality based training, tracking, current detection philosophies, and tactical integrations.
Rocklin Area
16 Hour Police K-9 Decoy Course
This class is designed for law enforcement. We will cover how to safely decoy for police canines. This training will include classroom and hands on training which will cover animal behavior, safety concerns, building drive, civil agitation, grips, leg bites, frontal bites, muzzle agitation, bite sleeve techniques, bite suit techniques and how to safely use bite prosthetics.
Rocklin CA
$300 per student
August 25, 2026 – August 26, 2026
K-9 DETECTION COURSE
Sacramento, CA
Cost: $4500 per student
Wednesday thru Saturday 0800-1800
August 26, 2026 – September 19, 2026
This class is designed for law enforcement. This is a four week course that is designed for detection canines. This course will focus on training handlers and canines to detect the following substances or items: Cocaine, Heroin,
Methamphetamine, Fentanyl / Firearms, shell casings. All K-9 teams will be ready to pass a POST K-9 Evaluation in detection by the end of the class.
Contact us for pricing and to reserve your spots
(Limit 7 handler/dog teams per class)
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
Petaluma Police Department
Fairfield Police Department
Vacaville Police Department
Sacramento Probation Department
contact us
Office Hours
M-F: 6am - 5pm
Sat: 7am - 4pm
Sun: Closed