My name is Mike West. I am a retired police officer, having served the City of Peoria from September of 1969 to February of 1995. From 1971 to 1985 I was assigned to the K-9 Unit. During those years, I handled and trained three consecutive dogs. From 1979 until 1997, I was the training officer of the Unit. Over the years spent in the Unit I periodically assisted in revising the department's General Orders on the Use of K-9's. I also assisted the Training Division in properly placing the K-9 Unit in the PPD "Use of Force Continuum". Testimony in court earned me designation as an Expert Witness in the field of K-9 behavior, and I'm also certified by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board as a K-9 Instructor. I have been a police dog judge in 1987.
For years, both as a "street dog" handler and continuing on as a trainer, I've seen and been involved with many different businesses and vendors, both positive and negative. During that time, I'd helped dozens of departments and handlers obtain dogs and recommended various schools for training. After retirement, I was recruited by and trained for two different training businesses for several years. Then, in the fall of 2007, I decided to incorporate under my own banner for the express purpose of providing "QUALITY DOGS AND QUALITY TRAINING AT A FAIR PRICE".
My target area is that within a three to four hour drive from the central Illinois village of Princeville (near Peoria), my home town. I have BEEN where I train my students TO GO, and can be very easily reached for advice or assistance, should the need arise. The dogs I have available for purchase and the training courses I offer meet or exceed those required by other vendors or agencies. I believe my 38 years of experience and my long-established world-wide contacts for both dogs and equipment make "BAUERNHOF K-9 INC." worthy of your consideration.