Dave Wheeler
AMPWDA Master Trainer
Dave’s professional experience as a K9 Handler began in 1981 with the Indiana Department of Correction. He has attended numerous workshops and seminars put on by agencies such as the North American Police and Work Dog Association. In 1994, Dave was promoted to K-9 Field Commander at the Putnamville Correctional Facility, In Indiana. This move made him responsible for training all K-9 personnel for that Facility. Dave’s specialty being K9 Training, Man-tracking, and trailing. Since 1981, He has been active in more than five hundred (500) actual manhunts. He has trained with, responded to, and searched for lost children, lost elderly, Alzheimer's patients, lost hunters, accident victims, fleeing felons, jail and prison escapees.
In 1994 Dave held the title of Expert Trailing Team with K9 Duke, in the North American Police and Work Dog Association. Since that time he has held the title of Distinguished Expert Trailing Team 3 different times with 3 different dogs with the Indiana Police and Work Dog Association. Dave held the level of Master Trainer with the Indiana Police and Work Dog Association since 1999.
Dave strives to surround himself with some of the best in the business. Many of the personnel trained by Dave have gone on to hold distinguished professional careers and promotions with in the Department of Correction, Indiana State Police, private business, and other agencies. Because of Dave’s expertise he has had the opportunity to work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Indiana Department of Correction, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana State Police, the Indiana Police Work Dog Association, the North American Police Work Dog Association, The United States Marshall Service, several city and county Police Departments, as well as several volunteer fire departments, and search and rescue teams.
