Working dogs from across Oklahoma train with Vance K-9s Published March 17, 2010 By Mark Harrell 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- K-9 handlers from around Oklahoma participated on base March 17 in the 2010 Spring Canine Training Seminar hosted by the 71st Security Forces Squadron and the Garfield County Sheriff's Department. The week-long training is important for both dogs and handlers and includes detection, bite building and development, and control and obedience training. "Our goal is to get people together from around the region to exchange and provide new ideas," said Rick Ramsey, of Nightwinds International, a dog training facility in Tucson, Ariz., because "everybody does it a little bit different. "A lot (of handlers) here know how to put on the bite-suit," he said, "but most lack the training to take bites properly. That's where Ralph's expertise comes in." Ralph Sweebroek, a K-9 trainer from the Netherlands, worked with handlers showing them how to properly "step-out" during a bite from a distance. He said this keeps the dog from becoming jammed into the bite-suit, which eventually causes physical and mental problems. "I'm here to teach control of body, voice and stick," said Mr. Sweebroek. "It is important to build-up the dog's spirit and to keep it there." The seminar includes other well-known instructors -- Ryan Fuxa, owner and trainer of Sooner State Police K-9s, and Melvin English of Battle Born K-9s of Las Vegas. The seminar will also offer certification from the National Police Canine Association and the California Narcotic K-9 Association on Thursday and Friday.