Fred Helfers Workshop
“Understanding Olfaction and Odors”
About Fred Helfers

Fred Helfers began working detection dogs in the early eighties. After a short stint with the US Border Patrol working on the southern US / Mexico border, Fred got to see firsthand how effective dogs were at detecting contraband. He soon realised that working for the US Border Patrol was not for him and moved to Washington State to work with a municipal Police department, north of Seattle WA. Already training and hunting with Brittany Spaniels, Fred knew that dogs had good noses, but never really knew how dogs worked odour sources.
For over 22 years Fred worked in undercover narcotics and it was during his early years on the department that Fred wrote a proposal for the first drug detection dog for that agency. The proposal was accepted and Fred entered the world of detection dogs. Completing training in 1982 with his first dog Sammy (a Black Labrador Retriever), Fred and Sammy were the only drug detection unit between Seattle and the Canadian Border, and, as such, were very busy. Working as a detective in the drug unit, Fred worked and trained regularly with the local US Customs dog team. For the next 8 years Fred and Sammy worked between Seattle and the Canadian border, detecting over a million dollars in US currency (drug proceeds) and multiple large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis.
As Fred’s reputation and expertise became recognised, he was approached by many Police agencies to train detection dogs and handlers. So, in 1984, Fred opened a police detection dog training facility on 8 acres north of Seattle WA. His reputation for training drug detection dogs and their handlers had then spread to other states in the Pacific Northwest of the US.
While still working as a police detective, Fred would train detection dogs in the morning then go to work as a police detective. He became President of the Washington State Police Canine Association and for over two terms was able to influence, administer and oversee certifications for drug detection dogs in WA State.
In 1998 Fred organised the formation of the Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Association. An association of law enforcement dog handlers formed to promote the training and certification of police detection dog handlers from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Fred was elected as the founding President of that association.
Because of his extensive background in detection dogs, Fred was being recognised for his expertise by many different police training programs and travelled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Brazil, conducting training seminars and workshops on detection dog training and handlers.
Fred has also been called upon to judge many different detection dog competitions ranging from the World Police and Fire games in Vancouver, Canada to judging at the 2014 National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW®) National Invitational K9 Nose work® trials in Santa Rosa California.
In 2004 Fred retired from police work and closed his kennel / police training facility. Fred turned the business over to a much respected employee and contracted with her to teach canine handler classes to police officers. Over the 20 years that Fred operated his commercial training facility, he trained several hundred police canines and their handlers, though training courses, seminars and workshops.
In 2005 Fred was selected to be a member of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Factors (SWGDOG. org). One of 55 national and international scientists, trainers and practitioners, developing public safety detection dog best practices. That work continued for over 7 years. Recently in 2014, Fred was again selected to continue the work of SWGDOG by being accepted as part of a 20 member subcommittee of the OSAC (Organization of Scientific Action Committee). Fred continues to be a member as of 2021.
** information taken from Fred Helfer's website https://www.fredhelfers.com/about
For over 22 years Fred worked in undercover narcotics and it was during his early years on the department that Fred wrote a proposal for the first drug detection dog for that agency. The proposal was accepted and Fred entered the world of detection dogs. Completing training in 1982 with his first dog Sammy (a Black Labrador Retriever), Fred and Sammy were the only drug detection unit between Seattle and the Canadian Border, and, as such, were very busy. Working as a detective in the drug unit, Fred worked and trained regularly with the local US Customs dog team. For the next 8 years Fred and Sammy worked between Seattle and the Canadian border, detecting over a million dollars in US currency (drug proceeds) and multiple large quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and cannabis.
As Fred’s reputation and expertise became recognised, he was approached by many Police agencies to train detection dogs and handlers. So, in 1984, Fred opened a police detection dog training facility on 8 acres north of Seattle WA. His reputation for training drug detection dogs and their handlers had then spread to other states in the Pacific Northwest of the US.
While still working as a police detective, Fred would train detection dogs in the morning then go to work as a police detective. He became President of the Washington State Police Canine Association and for over two terms was able to influence, administer and oversee certifications for drug detection dogs in WA State.
In 1998 Fred organised the formation of the Pacific Northwest Police Detection Dog Association. An association of law enforcement dog handlers formed to promote the training and certification of police detection dog handlers from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Fred was elected as the founding President of that association.
Because of his extensive background in detection dogs, Fred was being recognised for his expertise by many different police training programs and travelled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Brazil, conducting training seminars and workshops on detection dog training and handlers.
Fred has also been called upon to judge many different detection dog competitions ranging from the World Police and Fire games in Vancouver, Canada to judging at the 2014 National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW®) National Invitational K9 Nose work® trials in Santa Rosa California.
In 2004 Fred retired from police work and closed his kennel / police training facility. Fred turned the business over to a much respected employee and contracted with her to teach canine handler classes to police officers. Over the 20 years that Fred operated his commercial training facility, he trained several hundred police canines and their handlers, though training courses, seminars and workshops.
In 2005 Fred was selected to be a member of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Factors (SWGDOG. org). One of 55 national and international scientists, trainers and practitioners, developing public safety detection dog best practices. That work continued for over 7 years. Recently in 2014, Fred was again selected to continue the work of SWGDOG by being accepted as part of a 20 member subcommittee of the OSAC (Organization of Scientific Action Committee). Fred continues to be a member as of 2021.
** information taken from Fred Helfer's website https://www.fredhelfers.com/about
About This Workshop
Day One - Morning: Classroom Theory
|
Day One - Afternoon: Advanced WorkshopGeared for Started to Advanced level dogs. Dog should have been introduced to odour previously.
|
Day Two - Excellent + Workshop
Geared for dogs with at least an advanced title that are actively working Excellent level or higher.
|
Seminar Information
Dates:
June 15 & 16, 2024
Times:
9am to 4pm each day
Location:
Olds Curling Rink
Olds, AB
June 15 & 16, 2024
Times:
9am to 4pm each day
Location:
Olds Curling Rink
Olds, AB
Costs:
Excellent + Working Spot - $475 for all 2 days of learning (classroom theory, auditing the advanced levels, full working day Sunday)
Advanced Working Spot - $350 for all 2 days of learning (classroom theory, afternoon of working your dog, full day of auditing Sunday)
In Person Audit Spot - $250
Early Bird Pricing Ends April 1st! All prices will go up by $25 at that time.
Refund policy:
Cancellations prior to April 1st will receive a full refund.
Any cancellations April 1 - May 30 will require your spot to be filled prior to you receiving a refund, if your spot can be filled you will receive a full refund less a $30 admin fee.
Any cancellations June 1st will require your spot to be filled prior to you receiving a refund, if your spot can be filled you will receive a full refund less a $50 admin fee.
Coffee, tea, water, snacks & lunch will be provided all days.
Cancellations prior to April 1st will receive a full refund.
Any cancellations April 1 - May 30 will require your spot to be filled prior to you receiving a refund, if your spot can be filled you will receive a full refund less a $30 admin fee.
Any cancellations June 1st will require your spot to be filled prior to you receiving a refund, if your spot can be filled you will receive a full refund less a $50 admin fee.
Coffee, tea, water, snacks & lunch will be provided all days.
Registration now open!