Kirby K9
decoy
school
2024 schedule
sanford, nc jan 13-14
Brooksville, FL jan 27-28
Bon Aqua, TN FEB 27-28
Bogotá, Colombia mar 23-25
West Plains, MO April 8
tescott, ks APRIL 27-28
tescott, ks APRIL 27-28
boise, id May 18-19
bedford, England JUNE 1-3
Minneapolis, mn aug 3-4
mexico city, mexico sept 28-29
ATK9 CONFERENCE, IN OCT 7-11
2025 SCHEDULE
HOUSTON, TX JAN 18-19
cedar hill, Tn feb 8-9
Loudon, Tn feb 22-23
CALGARY, CANADA MAR 15-16
Richmond, ky april 7-9
el dorado, ks april 28-30
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL MAY 13-14
Branson, MO May 27-29
Toronto, Canada July 7-11
Columbus, OH sep 2-4
ATK9 Conference, IN oct 6-10
Corpus Christi, TX oct 22-24
Police K9 Decoy Seminar
This class is for law enforcement and active duty military only. An emphasis is placed on decoy and dog safety and preparing dogs for real life engagements with quality bite work fundamentals and techniques. Students will learn targeting, prey and defense, drive channeling, case law, and scenario based decoy work. 24 hours training credit.
Course Requirements
- One working dog per decoy ratio
- Dogs used for training should be trained on the bite suit, preferably working police or military dogs
- Host agency to coordinate logistics
- Quality bite equipment available for use
- Attendees must have a bite suit for use during training
- Appropriate facility / field for training
- Classroom with internet and projector
Decoy Development Seminar
This class is best suited for new decoys, hosted by groups who are interested in developing new decoys and teaching them the fundamentals of training bite work. An emphasis is placed on safety of the decoy and learning to read dogs to make them more confident and proficient in bite work fundamentals.
Course Requirements
- One working dog per decoy ratio
- Host club / group to coordinate logistics
- Quality bite equipment
- Attendees having their own bite suit is recommended
- Bite training equipment (sleeves / wedges) provided by host club / group
- Appropriate facility / field for training
Trial Decoy Prep Seminar
This class is best suited for decoys who have some experience and are preparing to certify as trial decoys. An emphasis is placed on the technical side of decoy work for trial decoys in the sport of PSA. Decoys will be coached and critiqued on their ability to perform consistently as a trial decoy.
Course Requirements
- One working dog per decoy ratio
- Dogs used for training should be trained on the bite suit and have a primary target of either bicep or legs.
- Host club / group to coordinate logistics
- Quality bite equipment available for use
- Attendees must have their own bite suit
- Appropriate facility / field for training
Online Resources:
Ben Lepinski "Decoy Elements"
We are often asked for web based decoy instruction and we are happy to direct people to Ben Lepinski's online decoy course. Ben is not only a friend of ours, but an accomplished decoy, handler, and instructor that we are happy to endorse.
This course is designed to equip aspiring decoys with the foundational knowledge, practical skills, and safety techniques needed to excel in working with protection dogs. Covering essential principles and hands-on practices, the course ensures participants are prepared to support canine training effectively while prioritizing safety for both the dog and the decoy.
Click here to learn more.
Instructor: Josh Kirby
Josh is a retired police officer, police K-9 handler, and trainer. During his career in law enforcement, he trained and certified 100's of police K9 teams in tracking, patrol, and detection. Outside of K9, Josh was also an academy instructor, field training officer, active shooter instructor, and firearms instructor. Josh has been a certified PSA K9 trial decoy since 2013 and has worked over 150 trials throughout the United States, and internationally. Josh is the secretary of decoys for PSA K9 and has been selected as a national select decoy four times.
