Bloodhounds built for the trail that matters.
Man-trailing training for K9 handlers and their bloodhounds, from first scent article to a confident, deployable team. Based in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Most dogs can follow a scent. Few can finish one.
We train for the end of the track, not the start. Our programs build the persistence and discipline your team needs to clear a lost subject.
Other programs focus on tactics before laying a strong foundation. We build a nose that commits to a scent and a handler who trusts and reads their dog, for real field conditions.
Trail work first. Everything else follows.
Every program is built around the dog you have and the calls your unit actually gets.
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Man trailing
Dogs that stay locked on human scent over distance, terrain and distraction, using varied scent articles drawn from real-world cases.
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Aged tracks
Scent work pushed well beyond fresh trails, building the endurance and confidence your dog needs for realistic searches.
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Leash handling
Field-tested line work that keeps the lead honest and the dog on task, so the handler reads the trail instead of fighting it.
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Alert and final response
Clear, reliable indications at the end of the trail that give handlers what they need to make decisions under stress.
Upcoming seminars/classes
Hands-on trailing seminars and classes for handlers and their hounds. Spots are limited, so register early.
Field-tested training from working handlers.
We've spent our time on real trails with real units, and that's what we teach from.
Zeus Canine Training works with agencies across the Northeast to select, raise and train trailing bloodhounds, and to train the handlers who run them. Whether it's a department's first bloodhound or a seasoned dog that needs sharpening, the goal is the same: a team that finishes the trail.
Your instructors
Brian Tierney
Westchester County Police, NY (Ret.)
- 22 years of police service
- 15-year bloodhound handler
- NYS DCJS Tracking/Trailing Trainer
- National Police Bloodhound Association Instructor
- Master Instructor, NYS DCJS
Randel Hill
Putnam County Sheriff's Office, NY
- 19 years of police service
- 11-year bloodhound handler
- 4 years as Canine Unit Supervisor
- NYS DCJS Tracking/Trailing Trainer
- National Police Bloodhound Association Instructor
- NYS Crime Scene Specialist
Matt Sloate
New Britain Police Department, CT
- 19 years of police service
- 11-year bloodhound handler
- National Police Bloodhound Association Instructor
Chris Nichols
Maywood Police Department, NJ
- 19 years of police service
- 11-year bloodhound handler
- 4 years as Canine Unit Supervisor
- NJ DCJ Tracking/Trailing Trainer
- National Police Bloodhound Association Instructor
- Current NPBA Training Administrator
Agencies that run the trail trust Zeus Canine.
While collaborating with various K9 training groups throughout New England, Zeus K9 was consistently recommended as the go-to team to select and train our department's first-ever trailing bloodhound. The team selected our puppy and provided exceptional guidance throughout her training.
After completing their academy, I was fully confident we had made the right choice. The Zeus K9 team is incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and always available for advice or questions, any time of day. I have had my bloodhound for just over a year, and she has already had several successful deployments and is developing an outstanding reputation. None of this would have been possible without this team. I highly recommend them!
Agencies that run with Zeus
Pennsylvania State Police
New Milford Police, CT
Bethel Police, CT
Berlin Police, CT
Maine State Police
Putnam County Sheriff's Office, NY
Fairfield Police, CT
Westchester County Police, NY
Questions handlers ask us.
Don't see yours? Call and ask. We'd rather talk it through.
How long until my dog is deployable?
Most dogs we start as puppies are ready in about 10 months, and trained to certification 8–10 weeks after that. Every dog is different, so the exact timing depends on the dog's age, drive and how often the team can train.
Can you train an older bloodhound?
Yes. We assess where the dog is today and build from there, whether that's a solid foundation or fixing habits picked up along the way.
Do you train handlers too?
Always. A trailing dog is only as good as the person on the other end of the line, so handler and hound train as a team.
What makes a bloodhound different from other trackers?
Bloodhounds are bred to follow one person's scent and stay with it: over long distances, across surfaces, and on older trails where other breeds tend to lose interest.
How do you train for real-world distractions?
We lay trails where your calls actually happen: neighborhoods, parking lots, woods, water crossings and crowds, so the dog learns to stay on task outside a quiet training field.
What if my dog is struggling with a specific skill?
Tell us what you're seeing. We'll work the problem directly, whether it's starts, turns, surface changes or the final response.
Do you train at our location or yours?
We're glad to come to you. Our instructors travel to train with agencies, and we host classes and seminars throughout the tri-state area and surrounding region. Give us a call and we'll work out the setup that fits your unit.
How far in advance should we book?
There's no set lead time. Whether you'd like us to select and start your puppy or evaluate and train an established team, we'll work around your schedule to deliver results.
Is follow-up support included?
Yes. Follow-up support is included for every team we train. Depending on the advice you need, we're available by phone, video chat or in person.
Ready to build a deployment-ready team?
Tell us about your unit's training needs and get a straight answer on what Zeus Canine can build. We'll assess your goals and your dog's drive to see if man trailing fits your mission. Clear direction, no pressure.
- Phone
- +1 845-206-8415
- [email protected]
- Based in
- Poughkeepsie, New York