Senior K9/SWAT Team Leader

Robert "Rob" Wilkins brings over 25 years of law enforcement experience, with more than 20 years dedicated to the SWAT community. Throughout his career, Rob has served as both an operator and, later, as a respected team leader. His leadership and tactical expertise have earned him the trust and admiration of his peers and superiors, and his insights are highly valued at every level of operation within his agency’s program.

After excelling in the SWAT world, Rob took his career to new heights as a K9/SWAT handler, once again assuming the role of team leader for the unit. In this capacity, he led and trained elite teams while integrating specialized K9 assets into high-risk operations. Rob has had the privilege of training alongside the most advanced military and tactical canine units, further honing his skillset in handling various K9s, including those trained for SWAT, tracking, and explosive ordnance detection (EOD).

With a reputation as a top-tier K9 handler, Rob is well-known within the law enforcement and tactical communities, particularly for his work with specialized dogs like bloodhounds and single-purpose EOD K9s. His dedication to continuous professional development is evident in his extensive certifications in firearms training, vehicle pursuits, and high-liability instruction.

Rob’s experience, leadership, and commitment to excellence make him an invaluable asset to the Dark Shadows team.

K9 handler/Special operator

With over 15 years of hands-on tactical K9 experience, Derek is a highly skilled K9 specialist currently contracted by Dark Shadows Canine. Having served in diverse and high-pressure operational environments, Derek has gained invaluable real-world experience in various mission sets, making him uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive training solutions.

Derek’s expertise spans both tactical K9 courses and pet training, offering a broad spectrum of instruction that is rooted in practical, field-tested knowledge. Drawing from lessons learned firsthand in the U.S. Armed Forces, Derek uses a common-sense approach to solving the challenges faced by today’s K9 handlers, whether in tactical operations or everyday scenarios with family pets.

Although Derek’s picture is not available due to his active status in the U.S. Armed Forces, his experience and dedication to excellence speak for themselves. His training programs are designed to equip K9 teams with the skills needed to succeed in any situation—whether on the frontlines of a mission or in the home with a beloved companion.

Tactical K9 Specialist

Ken is a seasoned K9 expert currently contracted by Dark Shadows Canine to teach specialized tactical integration courses. With over 25 years of hands-on experience in military and law enforcement K9 operations, Ken has trained and led some of the highest-performing working dogs in the field. His extensive background includes training and commanding dogs within the highest level of military canine units, where he worked closely with highly skilled K9 handlers, including those from most the branches of U.S. Armed Forces military working dog programs.

Ken’s deep understanding of tactical K9 operations is rooted in his experience with elite teams in high-pressure environments. His work has spanned a variety of mission sets, where he has honed his expertise in integrating K9s into complex operations. His training philosophy emphasizes practical, real-world solutions, with a focus on making sure both K9s and handlers are fully prepared for any operational environment they may encounter.

In addition to his tactical training, Ken is also certified with several prestigious organizations. His certification in these fields, combined with his military K9 expertise, allows him to offer a comprehensive training experience that covers everything from tactical K9 operations to everyday pet training.

Although Ken’s picture is unavailable due to his ongoing active-duty status, his reputation and experience within the K9 training community are widely recognized. Whether training military teams, law enforcement personnel, or civilian pet owners, Ken’s methods are results-driven, with an emphasis on clear communication, consistency, and trust between handler and K9. His goal is to ensure that all K9 teams—whether working in tactical scenarios or in the home—are equipped with the tools they need to succeed.

Owner, Operator & Trainer

Jacob Baroff is the owner, and trainer of Dark Shadows Canine, bringing years of expertise from both the K9 and SWAT worlds. Jacob is the author of The Tactical Canine: Modern Integration, Mindset, and Training for the Working Dog. With a strong foundation in law enforcement and canine operations, Jacob has built a reputation for excellence in the field, earning respect as both a skilled handler and a visionary trainer.

Jacob’s career spans many years in the K9/SWAT arena, where he has been deeply involved in tactical operations, training, and team leadership. His experience includes serving as a K9 handler, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) trainer, evaluator, and supervisor. Over the years, he has developed a deep understanding of canine behavior, advanced training techniques, and the critical role dogs play in both high-risk law enforcement and military operations.

A passionate advocate for integrating military-level tactics into law enforcement, Jacob has trained with some of the highest-caliber military canine units, and he continues to set up training programs that bridge the gap between military and law enforcement K9 operations. By adapting the best practices from these elite military units, Jacob has helped enhance tactical K9 programs, ensuring that law enforcement teams are prepared for the most demanding and high-stakes environments.

For the better part of 10 years, Jacob has played a key role in developing and refining tactical K9 programs. Jacob was supervising all K9/SWAT, Bloodhounds, Explosive Ordnance Detection (EOD), narcotics, patrol K9 units. As head trainer for those specialized programs, Jacob ensured that his team were not only skilled but equipped to handle real-world, high-risk deployments. His hands-on approach to training, leadership, and mentorship has made him an influential figure in both the military/law enforcement and canine communities.

Jacob’s commitment to canine training extends beyond high-risk law enforcement operations. He also has a deep passion for training pet dogs, believing in the power of positive training to help owners build strong, lasting relationships with their pets. Whether working with working dogs or family pets, Jacob’s mission is to bring out the best in every dog, ensuring that they thrive both in their professional roles and in their homes.

With numerous certifications in canine training, firearms, vehicle pursuits, and high-liability instruction, Jacob continues to push the boundaries of K9 training, forging new paths in tactical operations, canine health, and handler relationships. His vision and dedication have made Dark Shadows Canine a leader in the industry, and his work continues to influence the future of K9 operations in both military/law enforcement and pet training.