About Jakes van Zyl
More than 42 years of working dog experience across military, security, detection, tracking, man-trailing, protection, service dog development, trainer mentorship, and operational K9 systems.
Building The People Behind Reliable Dogs
For more than four decades, Jakes van Zyl has worked with dogs across military, security, operational, detection, tracking, trailing, protection, service, and working dog environments.
His career has been built around one central question: what separates reliable dogs from unreliable dogs?
The answer has never been the dog alone. The answer is the trainer.
Dogs do not rise to the level of theory. They rise to the level of the person developing them. That belief forms the foundation of Global K9 Instructor Development.
International Standards. Proven Systems.
Global K9 Instructor Development is built on practical experience, structured systems, and internationally recognised professional standards developed through more than four decades of working dog application.
Fellow Member – International Working Dog Trainers Federation
Jakes van Zyl is a Fellow Member of the International Working Dog Trainers Federation, reflecting a long-standing commitment to working dog development, trainer education, professional standards, and practical canine application.
Global K9 Instructor Development programs are based upon proven training systems developed through more than 42 years of practical experience involving military working dogs, security dogs, detection dogs, tracking dogs, man-trailing dogs, protection dogs, service dogs, trainer development, and operational canine programs.
These systems have been applied, refined, and validated through real-world training environments and continue to be utilised by current and former trainers working across a variety of canine disciplines.
42 Years Of Practical Working Dog Experience
Jakes’ experience spans practical involvement in working dogs, trainer development, and operational canine programs.
His work has included dogs, handlers, trainers, and organisations across multiple operational environments locally and internationally.
Experience Areas
- Military working dogs
- Security and operational dogs
- Detection dogs
- Tracking dogs
- Man-trailing dogs
- Protection dogs
- Service dog development
- Trainer mentorship
- Training system design
- Working dog program development
The Industry Needs Better Trainers
After decades of training dogs, one reality became increasingly clear: the industry does not suffer from a shortage of dogs. It suffers from a shortage of well-developed trainers.
Many trainers are taught exercises. Few are taught systems. Many are shown techniques. Few are taught how to think. Many can repeat drills. Few can solve problems.
Developing Dog Trainers
Global K9 Instructor Development was created to help bridge that gap.
The focus is no longer simply developing dogs. The focus is developing the people responsible for training them.
Better trainers build better dogs.
Principles Before Techniques
Training is not about forcing behaviour. Training is about understanding behaviour.
Reliable performance comes from structure, clarity, consistency, progression, observation, and problem solving.
The goal is not to create trainers who can copy methods. The goal is to create trainers who understand why methods work.
Structure
Training must follow a clear development pathway, not random exercises.
Observation
A trainer must learn to read the dog in front of them, not simply follow a script.
Problem Solving
Professional trainers must understand why training fails and how to correct it.
Trainer Development For Serious Dog Trainers
Aspiring Dog Trainers
For people who want to enter the dog training industry properly.
Professional Dog Trainers
For trainers wanting better systems, clearer structure, and stronger problem-solving ability.
Working Dog Trainers
For trainers developing detection, tracking, man-trailing, protection, patrol, security, and service dogs.
The Mission
To develop dog trainers capable of producing reliable dogs through sound principles, structured systems, and practical experience.
Global K9 Instructor Development exists for trainers who want to move beyond techniques and become capable of understanding, building, and correcting training systems.
Ready To Develop As A Dog Trainer?
Whether you are an aspiring trainer looking for direction or an experienced professional looking to refine your skills, Global K9 Instructor Development provides the systems, mentorship, and experience required to become a more effective dog trainer.
Apply For Trainer Development