National Canine Facility in Their Own Words
Rip and I just wrapped up a quick trip to South Dakota to do some tracking trailing training at the National Canine Facility, Inc. with Robert Noziska
Just got home from a week of training at the National Canine Facility, Inc., HRD water and odor movement, with Robert Noziska and Robert Freedline. I cannot say enough about these two instructors. They take their wealth of real-life experience to teach us how to use those principles to build an amazing foundation in our searching strategies. Noz is such an intuitive trainer and the best problem-solver I’ve met. Bob is analytical, thoughtful, and thorough. They make an unbelievable team, and they are so generous with sharing their knowledge. Our days were filled with a great balance of classroom followed by scenarios based on real cases that really made us think and I know I personally had several “aha!” moments that really drove home the lesson. These two are the best of the best and I’ll take every opportunity I can to learn from them. Thank you both for a challenging and super fun week and for your openness and mentorship.
— Sarah Boese
Rip and I just wrapped up a quick trip to South Dakota to do some tracking trailing training at the National Canine Facility, Inc. with Robert Noziska
We were honored to train with one of the best instructors in the country. Here is what to expect from Noz: straightforward teaching, logical and well thought through training methods, intense consideration of the questions you ask, explanations for why he teaches certain things, an abundance of patience, excellent hospitality, identifies exactly what dog AND handler need to focus on, respect for other reasonable training methods, his full attention, excitement for every dog, and a genuine desire to see teams of all levels advance. I have described him as a no frills trainer in the past and it’s true, he does not use gimmicks or fad methods. He teaches what he knows works and gives each dog what they need individually. Most of all though, he takes this work seriously and has a heart of gold. I am lucky to call him a mentor and can’t wait to train with him again! Rip and I are loving this work, he’s quite the dog and is trying his hardest to make a hound lover out of Noz!
— Sarah Boese
“Noz is the bread and butter for SAR K9 tracking.
He has laid the foundation for tracking/trailing with the US Border Patrol, which has not only resulted in thousands of rescues, but 100’s of thousands of apprehensions. Essentially keeping our country more safe.
Really good people have been saved by his dogs and many criminals have been put away too.
I’ve seen dozens of decorated SAR K9 instructors baffled by K9 problems, to which they were resolved with a simple phone call to Noz. ALWAYS willing to give a hand/insight. Really is quite impressive and to a certain extent is a gift.
You guys keep getting after it and build a quality tracking community. That’s what counts.”
— @brookscd3003
“I know I mentioned it several times while there, but THANK YOU National Canine Facility, Inc.! The HRD overview class was by far the best class I attended over my 20 year career. Noz was well organized and still able to adapt to the different scenarios that presented themselves. Your experience as a canine handler/trainer was noticed continuously with your timely corrections and rewards. Your full attention to not only questions presented by the handlers, but also to the canines responses, have made each of us better teams/partners. I cannot say enough to express how impressed I was with you and the training. I know we now will make you proud after learning from you. Looking forward to attending another training at your facility in South Dakota!”
— Tony Kotschevar
“Charlie and I are home from our first Air scent training class National Canine Facility Inc., in beautiful South Dakota.
Wow! Our class spanned over 3 days, but I feel like I walked away with 3 years worth of training knowledge.
Noz keeps his class small, which allows him to work with each trainer and k9 on their individual level with field problems tailored to each dog.
It was an incredible, priceless experience for me. Every question I had was answered in depth and with patience, which I greatly appreciate as I am brand new to the dog training world.
TLDR: Go to any class Noz has available. It was well worth the time and money. In fact, he doesn't charge nearly enough.
(Also, thank you to Bonnie for all of the food AND the super cute pumpkin that she made for all of us ladies in the class)”
— Cassidy Woodard
Robert Noziska is a highly distinguished and an accredited canine Master Trainer. He was the Special Operations Supervisor and Canine Coordinator for the United States Border Patrol Special Operations Group in El Paso, Texas.
“He was assigned to the Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue Unit (BORSTAR) since its inception in 1998. He is also a Master Trainer with the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) and a certifying official with several other national organizations.
I first met Robert in 2017 during NAPWDA Workshop and in 2019 at another NAPWDA Workshop. I quickly realized the depth of his knowledge regarding canine selection, drive building, imprinting, problem-solving, maintenance training, and deployment tactics. I have driven thousands of miles just to train with Robert. I have received fantastic feedback during these workshops from Noz that I still utilize today to locate the missing.
Recently, I was very fortunate to spend a week with Robert at his National Canine Facility in New Mexico! His seminars are tailored to the individual needs of the participants and have a smaller class size to ensure the participants get personal one-on-one time. His ability to quickly assess each canine team providing them exceptionally valuable feedback and he works tirelessly with each participant assisting them in meeting their training objectives in a positive learning environment!
I had an incredible learning experience at his National Canine Facility and enjoyed the onsite accommodations! I walked away from this unique experience as a substantially better trainer and canine handler. His facility is a fantastic place to train.
Whether you are looking for your next canine, or you would like assistance in selecting a detection canine with the critical drives, looking to enhance your canine’s drives, or you are ready to imprint your next detection canine using a primary reward system, or you are looking for assistance troubleshooting a problem, or you are looking for outstanding tailored maintenance training, or you are preparing your canine for an upcoming certification, I would highly recommend him for all of your training needs.
Noz is an accredited Master Trainer with elite skills and unmatched expertise that are built on a lifetime of excellence.
Thanks, Noz!”
— Bob Freedline
“Best place I know of to train a canine. Robert is a Jedi when it comes to training dogs!”
- Michael Owen
“I am way overdue to post this comment in reference to Robert Noziska (Noz) and his National Canine Facility. Noz is without question or competition THE renowned expert and master canine trainer in the country, and arguably one of the top in the world. His no-nonsense approach may turn off a few folks with egos who don’t want to accept the hard truth in regard to their canine tactics or training. But if you are open minded and a good listener, with his training you will become a much better canine handler and team, regardless of whatever issues you are trying to rectify or improve upon. He knows his stuff, he does the training for the right reasons, and he’s a good patriot. On behalf of so many canine handlers that have been mentored by him - Thanks Noz!!!”
- Wayne Miller
“Noz is the best K9 instructor in the country. Noz trained my team and we had thousands of apprehensions, dozens of tracking rescues, and even a few HRD finds. Better than his training ability, he’s a great man! Noz, I look forward to working together in the future. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the K9 community!”
- Jared
“Once upon a time, my clients included A-List talent such as:
Earth, Wind, & Fire
Barry White
Goo Goo Dolls... and I worked for Magic Johnson as an in house concert promoter.
THEN, I met Robert Noziska and my life changed for the BEST.
“Noz, trained my K9’s and me, in Rattlesnake Detection, which launched my current business.
I’m forever indebted to National Canine Facility. “
- Jerome Williams,
aka:
“Rattlesnakes Rome”
“I attended training at the National Canine Facility for both tracking and cadaver dog training courses. The training was very beneficial to me learning fundamentals and advanced techniques. Robert makes training fun while preparing us for real world scenarios. Best training I’ve received from the different seminars and conferences in different venues that I’ve attended. Highly Recommended!”
- Mario Arreola
“I have been handling and instructing K9’s for Search and Rescue, Tracking and Trailing and Human Remains Detection for over 15 years. Robert has been instrumental on teaching me each discipline’s foundation as well as advanced instruction. His knowledge and experience is second to none and I would highly recommend his facility for your K9 needs.”
- Isaac David
“You want a MASTER trainer that sees things in you as a handler and in your dog that no one else does, go train at the National Canine Facility with Noz! He makes it fun and will keep you wanting more. Amazing facility to train at. This place is making K9 teams ready for success! #Bestinthebusiness!”
- Christopher Stewart
“I attended the week long imprinting class at NCF’s La Mesa location. Robert Noziska was a wealth of knowledge and on his game. He provided housing for the group attending and kenneling facilities. The attendees all had varying dog breeds and all were at different levels of training and odor applications. Noz was able to adjust on the fly from HRD to EDD without a hitch. We worked on imprinting at NCF’s facility, in the dried out basin of the Rio Grande and out in the desert. He took his personal time to be a tour guide and showed us his beautiful state of New Mexico. It was an experience of a life time.
Thank you Noz - You’re a class act!”
- Shannon Piekarz
“One of the best SAR K9 trainings I have ever attended was held March 18-20, 2021 at the National Canine Facility in La Mesa, New Mexico with master trainer Robert Noziska.
This three day course was in tracking and trailing, both canine and sign cutting. The three participants came from a cross-section of the SAR community. Each had a different background, experience level, dogs, and training problems. Noz started our session with brief lectures to make sure we were all on the same page, as far as tracking specifics, theory, and jargon. In the field, our first tracks became the basis for three training programs, tailored to address our individual training needs. The ease at which Noz quickly started filling in the missing pieces in the foundation of each of our dogs, led to quick camaraderie and support between all three of us participating. No ego, anguish or drama here! There was support and acknowledgment as missing pieces were mastered and the skills of both dogs and handlers improved.
It was awesome to spend 3 days working hard, training our dogs and making significant progress towards my goal of a serviceable tracking/trailing dog. It was excellent training and an excellent value.
I have already scheduled my next course in October! Can't wait to train with Noz again!”
- Bonnie Coe
“Robert Noziska has had extensive K9 Detection and Search and Rescue HRD, Live Find, Tracking & Trailing experience working for The Border Patrol. He has been a mentor to me throughout my search and rescue career and has taught me everything good I needed to know about Live find along with teaching me how to problem solve. He has dedicated his life to this and is the real deal! Anyone who has any K9 detection /Search and Rescue needs or problems that need attention he is your guy! Sign up w his classes you wont be sorry. I highly recommend him!! He will customize the classes just specifically for your needs too.”
- Jen Morgan