Due to popular demand, K9 Solutions Australia’s highly successful and well received “NePoPo® - A Lesson in Deep Theoretical Practice” seminar is back.
K9 Solutions Australia's inaugural "NePoPo® - A Lesson in Theoretical Practice" seminar held in October last year was a game changer for many. Participants thoroughly enjoyed a deep dive into the theory of dog training, in particular NePoPo®. The seminar challenged each attendee in their own way, and all reported learning more than they thought imaginable in a week. The course was paced to challenge but not overwhelm, to entertain but also teach. We had in attendance companion dog owners, trainers, IGP trainers, professional dog trainers and military working dog handlers and all participants improved beyond our expectations. It was a huge success.
After the dust had settled and people had the chance to discuss with others what they had learnt, we received a substantial number of requests to hold another seminar. Well, ask and you shall receive. "NePoPo® - A Lesson in Theoretical Practice" will be held once again on 21-24 February 2020. It's another chance to discover what all the fuss is about. NePoPo®, it's not a cult, just an excellent training system that aims to produce dogs who perform behaviours reliably, with their heart and soul, even when they'd rather not.
In 2016, we were fortunate enough to attend Bart and Michael Bellons' NePoPo® Silver School. At the time, we had 25 years of experience training military working dogs between us, however we quickly realised that this system of training was superior to anything we had been exposed to before.
We’ve since attended NePoPo® Silver and Gold Schools, not once, but twice, we are that impressed with this way of training. We’ve never looked back and NePoPo® is now integral to our balanced training approach. Canines trained with our system are being utilised by prison agencies, Police and Military, including tier one units within those agencies. We’ve taught and continue to teach NePoPo® to the industry, and now for the first time we will be presenting the full story to the general public. NePoPo® theory, in depth!
NePoPo® (Negative Positive Positive) is Bart and Michael Bellon’s scientifically based system of training where the dog is taught it must do even when it would rather not. The system's goal is that the dog still performs without demotivation. This is achieved through the combination of positive reinforcement (which creates the hope and the love for the work) and negative reinforcement (which creates the reliability). We can’t speak highly enough about Bart and Michael’s system, and the results speak for themselves.
K9 Solutions Australia is a joint venture created, owned and operated by Ben Geurts and Jason Kelly. On offer is a wide spectrum of experience and the most comprehensive knowledge base of current operational working dog practices in Australia. Certified military accredited trainers, up to date and innovative training methods and comprehensive knowledge, we are able to provide a first class service by those at the highest level in the field. We specialise in providing high quality working dog training services to military and law enforcement organisations.
Ben has 16 years experience as a qualified Military Working Dog Handler in both the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force. Ben's last role was as K9 Trainer/Developer with the Special Operations Command.
Ben raised and developed a large number of dogs from pups through to adults that have gone on to be both certified as military working dogs and Special Operations Military Working Dogs within the Special Operations Command. Through his previous role as developer within the Royal Australian Air Force Canine Breeding Program and Canine Development Cell, Ben knows what to look for in a dog, so much so he was sent by the Royal Australian Air Force to the United States to bring back some of the next generation of military working dogs.
Ben achieved many things whilst in the armed forces, including winning the Instructors Award on the Basic Royal Australian Air Force K9 Course, recipient of the 2002 Bill Perrett Trophy awarded to the top dog team in the Royal Australian Air Force, developer within the Air Force Canine Development Cell, trainer with the Military Working Dog Training Flight and instructor on the Special Operations Military Working Dogs Courses. Ben twice served in Dog Team Deployments to East Timor.
Since leaving the armed forces, Ben co-founded K9 Solutions Australia with fellow instructor Jason Kelly, specialising in providing K9 training services to military, law enforcement and security related organisations. K9SA have provided services to the Queensland Police, Victoria Police, Victoria Police's Special Operations Group, Western Australia Police and the Australian Army.
Ben has worked with the likes of Hilliard [US DoD], Gepken [KNPV] and Bernhard Flinks [German Police] and is a NePoPo® Gold School Graduate. NePoPo® is the revolutionary dog training method created by internationally acclaimed and renowned trainer Bart Bellon, considered by many as the father of modern canine training.
Jason worked for 9 years as a qualified Military Working Dog Handler in the Royal Australian Air Force and was recognised for outstanding achievements throughout his defence career. His last role was as Kennel Master at the Royal Australian Air Force Canine Development Cell Program, which ran a large number of dogs at any one time. Jason served in a Dog Team Deployment to East Timor and K9 Trainer deployment to Afghanistan within the Special Operations Task Group.
For 3 years Jason served as a K9 Trainer/Developer with the Special Operations Command and was Instructor on multiple Special Operations Command Combat Military Working dogs Courses.
Achievements include winning the Dux Award for overall Top Dog Team on Basic Royal Australian Air Force K9 Course, Top Dog Team of the Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin Dog Section 2008-2009, second for the 2009 Bill Perrett Trophy and recipient of the 2010 Bill Perrett Trophy, awarded to the top dog team in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Jason was an Instructor on the Queensland Police SERT K9 Workshop and implemented and operated the initial Special Operations Command Pup Foster Care Program. He also has participated in the Franco Angelini Decoy Seminar and the Randy Hare Odour Detection Seminar and is a NePoPo® Gold School Graduate.
Our NePoPo® theory seminar can be applied to all dogs from pet to working, and is suitable for all handlers from novice to expert. Please note this seminar is theory only (no dogs). Successful participants will be eligible to attend our NePoPo® practical component to be conducted later in 2020 (with dogs).
Interested in learning more? Send us an e-mail at k9solutionsaustralia@outlook.com if you have any questions. Old fashioned phone calls work too, so if you prefer to speak with someone directly, give us a call on 0411 229 149. If you don't get an answer immediately, we may be knee deep in dogs, so we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Spaces are limited, so register now to secure your position. Register via email at k9solutionsaustralia@outlook.com. Registration closes on 7 February 2020.
Payment for participation via bank account. Bank details given upon participation approval via email. 50% deposit to secure position. Full payment to be finalised by no later than 7 February 2020.
Daily morning tea and buffet lunch included.