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The Working Dog Depot Podcast

The Working Dog Depot Podcast

By: Howard Young and Rich Hardin
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Created and hosted by Howard Young and Rich Hardin with the aim of exploring the working dog world. We share unique experiences, training advice and real-world application garnered from today’s most prolific handlers, trainers, and behaviorists.Would you like to become a better, handler, trainer or just all-around dog person? We interview the experts that take your performance to the next level.This podcast is a collaborative effort between Howard, Rich, and our incredibly talented guests. If you would like to participate in our collective community, please feel free to visit our Facebook or Instagram accounts.© 2025 The Working Dog Depot Podcast
Episodes
  • Episode #54 Nic Fontaine Kilo III "Veteran Voices from the K9 Front Lines"
    Oct 14 2025

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    You can't help but take an immediate liking to Nic. He's humble and passionate about working dogs and helping handlers. As we celebrate our third season we couldn't have had a better guest on the show. We got to sit down with Nic at the ATK9 conference and hear his story. Clearly there are things Nic couldn't share with us, but his story is special and we are so appreciative for what he has done.

    NAME: NIC FONTAINE
    BIO: Currently owner operator of KILO III, LLC www.kiloIII.com and 3 rd Special Force’s Group Multi-Purpose Canine Master Trainer Fort Bragg, NC. Retired US Army Special Operations K9 handler with 26 years of service. Deployed 14 times in support of the Global War on Terror.
    K9 Background and Certifications:
    - United Police Working Dog Association Master Trainer (UPWDA), and certification authority
    - United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Combat Handlers
    Course
    - Special Operations MPC Handler and Team Leader
    - Tracking and trailing trainer throughout Africa on multiple trips for African Parks
    Rangers conducting anti-poaching operations
    - Explosives Handling and Explosive Demolitions Course Certified
    - Improvised Explosive, Mass quantity explosive, Post Blast threat search Certified
    - Canine Down Advanced Medical Course
    - Instruct Canine Training extended Tracking Course’s
    - Multiple K9 Decoying and Canine Bite Development Course’s
    - Instructor and Trainer course’s at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX as well as
    Global K9 Protection Group
    - Primary Instructor for five USASOC MPC course’s
    - Assigned as lead to begin the start of the Specialized Search Dog (SSD)
    program for entire DoD at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
    - Instructor to multiple inter agency LE/MIL swat, NATO, and K9 integration
    seminars
    - UPWADA Master Trainer
    - NEPOPO® Silver School Graduate
    - NEPOPO® Gold School Graduate
    - 3 rd SFG (A) MPC Master Trainer, Ft. Bragg, NC
    OWNER/OPERATOR KILO III CONSULTING LLC: NIC FONTAINE
    POSITION: MASTER TRAINER/INSTRUCTOR

    KILO III CONSULTING LLC.
    465 Derby Lane
    HOPE MILLS, NC 28348

    We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org.

    Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code.

    Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9. Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com

    HLTK9 Conference
    continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

    Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us


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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode #53 Mark Connolly K9 Command "Old Dogs Up To New Tricks"
    Sep 9 2025

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    Mark Connolly K9 Command

    A dedicated law enforcement officer with a deep passion for K9 work, Mark reentered law enforcement and is currently serving as a Police K9 Handler with his agency. With years of experience, he continues to bring his expertise in training and handling working dogs.

    A former Police K9 Handler and K9 Training Director for multiple departments, Mark has handled a wide range of working dogs throughout his career. He is currently handling his fifth police dog and continues to make significant contributions to his department’s K9 unit.

    During his time as a K9 Training Director, Mark certified numerous dogs to the North American Police Working Dog Association (NAPWDA) national standards and trained police K9 officers to achieve their certification levels. His impact extends beyond his direct work with K9s, as he has turned underperforming K9 units into highly respected divisions within their departments, earning the respect of veteran K9 trainers and handlers nationwide.

    Mark’s life changed forever on April 11th, 2005, when he and K9 Cliff were involved in a high-speed vehicle pursuit of three armed gang members. The chase ended violently in a gunfight, during which Mark was struck by three bullets fired by the fleeing suspects. Remarkably, his bulletproof vest stopped the fatal shot, saving his life. This event ultimately earned Mark both the Purple Heart and a Valor Award for his bravery. Although the incident altered the course of his career, his commitment to serving his community and pursuing justice has never wavered.

    In addition to his law enforcement work, Mark continues to help K9 teams across the country, providing training and support. He is also passionate about educating the public on dog behavior and training, ensuring dogs are well-integrated members of their communities. Mark volunteers regularly with local animal shelters and humane societies and serves as a board member for the Lincoln County Animal Advisory Board and the Dangerous Dog Board.

    Mark’s service extends beyond his local community. He has also served on the IACP Legislative Committee as Secretary, working on behalf of the International Association of Canine Professionals.

    We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org.

    Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code.

    Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9. Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com

    HLTK9 Conference
    continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

    Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us


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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Episode #52 Robin Greubel "Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior"
    Aug 15 2025

    Send us a text

    Robin has been involved in detection work since 2001, beginning in wilderness and human remains detection (HRD), which expanded into disaster work. She trains and deploys with Nebraska Task Force 1 and Iowa Task Force 1. She is a certified explosives and narcotics detection dog handler.

    ​Robin also works at the nexus of academia and business, managing people and relationships from both sides of the table. Whether working with small business, tier 1 research institutions or fortune 500 companies, she found common ground, allowing both sides to achieve their goals.

    ​Her focused education in behavior technology started in 2016 by attending two Chicken Workshops (Behavior Technology Workshops). In 2018 she completed a four month resident apprenticeship with Parvene Farhoody, Phd. In 2022, Robin completed the Scandinavian Working Dog Institute year long Master K9 Trainer Program.

    She uses many of the same techniques she honed training dogs to advance initiatives in organizations she managed, whether she was paid by them or not. By coaching the human, she provides students with a deeper understanding of the behaviors they are trying to achieve, not only in their K9 partner but in other people as well. Her progressive, research-based training translates theory into practice, empowering people to truly collaborate with others, no matter the language they speak.

    ​Robin serves as a Center Evaluator for the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRC) where she coaches university researchers, industry and non-profit center members on how to best collaborate and operate efficiently and effectively in a startup-like environment.

    ​Robin is an associate certified coach through the International Coaching Federation. She uses the world of working dogs for engaging keynotes, workshops and training sessions.

    Podcast Link https://www.k9detectioncollaborative.com/K9 Detection Collaborative | Podcast | Dog Training Discussions

    The K9 DC Podcast talks practical K9 training advice with humor and a big dose of theory. We include interviews with top dog trainers, practitioners, and scientists. We keep it fun, honest, and ra

    We are pleased to have Vested Interest in K9's as a sponsor. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to provide bullet and stab-protective vests and other assistance to dogs. Check it out www.vik9s.org.

    Please welcome Ray Allen Manufacturing as a sponsor to the podcast. Go to the most trusted name in industry for all of your k9 related equipment. For a 10% discount use the RAMWDDP10 discount code.

    Welcome our sponsor Gold Coast K9. Gold Coast K9 trains and deploys hand-selected service dogs for personal and family protection, police agencies, and school districts. Their training programs rank among the best and most trusted in the world. Follow Gold Coast k9 on all social media platforms. For 10% off merchandise use the GCK910 discount code on their website www.goldcoastk9.com

    HLTK9 Conference
    continues to be a supporter of the WDDP. They are gearing up for the next conference in Myrtle Beach SC. Plan ahead, the 2026 conference will be April 14 - 16 2026. Register today at www.htlk9.com.

    Welcome our newest sponsor NCK9LLC. Located in Four Oaks NC, just east of Raleigh NC. Jim O'Brien and staff offer a variety of K9 services. Contact them at Phone : 919-353-7149 Email: jobrien@nck9.us


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 15 mins
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