Jeff Schettler is a retired police K9 handler who served with the City of Alameda and the County of Amador in California. He was also attached to the FBI Hostage Rescue Team’s K9 Assistance Program for three years, where he supported the location and apprehension of high-risk fugitives.

 

Jeff has worked hundreds of trailing cases across the United States and is widely recognized as a specialist in tactical tracking applications. In 1998, he introduced High-Risk K9 Tracking training—the first program of its kind. His book Tactical Tracker Teams is currently used by military and police units around the world.

 

Jeff is a certified military trainer and a graduate of the U.S. Army Leadership Academy (Drill Sergeant School). He currently trains police officers, special operations military units, and search-and-rescue handlers worldwide in advanced K9 trailing techniques. Jeff also raises and trains elite manhunter K9s deployed with law enforcement agencies across the United States, Europe, and Asia—dogs known for exceptional human find rates and highly sought after internationally.

 

His work training international SWAT teams and NATO military units has proven highly effective. From 2014 to 2025, Jeff built and led the MARSOC MPC Combat Tracking School, serving as the longest-operating civilian contractor in the program’s history.

 

Jeff has authored five books on tracking and trailing: Red Dog Rising, K9 Trailing, Tao of Trailing, Tactical Tracker Teams, and Two Weeks to Operational Tracking.

 

For more information, contact us by mail: gak9europe@gmail.com