K9 Scent Detection Instructor
PennVet Working Dog Center
Completed 400 hour course as Instructor for 15 K9 Teams being certified in Narcotic and Explosive Detection
K9 Narcotic Detection Certification
Completed Narcotic detection certification test with K9 Odysseus
K9 Tracking and Evidence Certification
PennVet Working Dog Center
Completed 120 hour Tracking & Evidence course with K9 Odysseus
Training Services
Scent Detection
(Nosework)
The benefits of scent detection may be one of the most effective activities to engage your dog. Detection builds confidence, reduces stress and anxiety, improves focus and independence, and offers an excellent outlet for mental and physical energy. We use the same equipment and training procedures as we do for certified narcotic and explosive K9s. Your dog will be trained to detect Birch oil on a Q-Tip, or any other odor you would be interested in if you decide to compete in Nosework trials.
Environmental Exposure (Socialization)
We socialize your dog with various environmental stimuli, including people, animals, sounds, surfaces, smells and sights. We work with your dog to be confident in all environments, allowing you to take your dog with you as much as possible.
Obedience
We create structured obedience behaviors allowing your dog more freedom to be a dog. We start with basic commands and add distance, duration and distractions to strengthen the behaviors in various environments.
Engagement
The foundation of all dog training begins with engagement. We build your dog’s motivation with reward-based engagement using food, toys, movement and pla
Agility and Fitness
Park City is a paradise for active humans and dogs. We train your dog in various dog agility and fitness exercises to keep them fit and athletic as long as possible. We train your dog to do squats, figure 8’s, planks, pivots, hurdles and other exercises to improve their ability to hike for many years.
Tracking and Article Search
Tracking humans and finding hidden articles are not just for Law Enforcement K9’s, they are a great way for you and your dog to work as a team. Impress your friends with your dog’s ability to find their phone you dropped in the middle of a baseball field.
Engagement
The foundation of all dog training begins with engagement. We build your dog’s motivation with reward-based engagement using food, toys, movement and play.
Obedience
We create structured obedience behaviors allowing your dog more freedom to be a dog. We start with basic commands and add distance, duration and distractions to strengthen the behaviors in various environments.
Agility & Fitness
Park City is a paradise for active humans and dogs. We train your dog in various dog agility and fitness exercises to keep them fit and athletic as long as possible. We train your dog to do squats, figure 8’s, planks, pivots, hurdles and other exercises to improve their ability to hike for many years.
Training Services
Tracking & Article Search
Tracking humans and finding hidden articles are not just for Law Enforcement K9’s, they are a great way for you and your dog to work as a team. Impress your friends with your dog’s ability to find their phone you dropped in the middle of a baseball field.
Environmental Exposure (Socialization)
We socialize your dog with various environmental stimuli, including people, animals, sounds, surfaces, smells and sights. We work with your dog to be confident in all environments, allowing you to take your dog with you as much as possible.
Scent Detection (Nosework)
The benefits of scent detection may be one of the most effective activities to engage your dog. Detection builds confidence, reduces stress and anxiety, improves focus and independence, and offers an excellent outlet for mental and physical energy. We use the same equipment and training procedures as we do for certified narcotic and explosive K9s. Your dog will be trained to detect Birch oil on a Q-Tip, or any other odor you would be interested in if you decide to compete in Nosework trials.
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About Rick
Rick has loved dogs since childhood, starting with Cocker Spaniels, a Samoyed, a Weimaraner, and a Shepherd Mix. Fascinated by the human-dog bond, his life changed in 2016 while living in Philadelphia when he visited the PennVet Working Dog Center, a world-class facility for training, research, and education. After one tour, he immediately signed up as a volunteer—and never left.
Over the next eight years, Rick worked with more than 100 dogs, from puppies to young adults, under 12 expert trainers in fields including Law Enforcement, Search & Rescue, Detection, Agility, Obedience, Fitness, Environmental Exposure, and Veterinary care. He began with simple tasks like walking dogs and quickly advanced to handling every aspect of training and raising working dogs. He has fostered and transported many K9s, experiencing a wide range of personalities and behaviors firsthand.
In 2017, Rick fostered a Dutch Shepherd named Odysseus (“Ody”), who became his permanent partner and later pursued a second career in private narcotic detection. Ody’s balanced demeanor also helped raise over 60 K9s who lived in Rick’s home during training.
By 2025, Rick earned his Train the Trainer Scent Detection Certification, training 15 K9 teams in a 400-hour course. That same year, after moving to Park City, UT, he began working with challenging dogs at Nuzzles pet rescue, which led to the creation of Park City K9.