It brings together leaders in the veterinary, welfare, rehoming, animal training and behaviour therapy fields, and aims to set standards for the knowledge and skills required to be a recognised professional.

The agreed standards will be used to assess the competency of practitioners before they are included on the Council’s national register of animal trainers and behaviour therapists. The details will be publicly available to help people to find an appropriate expert.

The standards will also help those seeking a career in animal behaviour or further developing the skills of those already practicing the profession.

Council chairman David Montgomery said: “The development of the council has been met with widespread enthusiasm and support from professional organisations both in the UK and overseas.”

Organisations supporting the Council already include major charities such as RSPCA, Guide Dogs and The Blue Cross, with interest being expressed from organisations in Europe, Australia and Brazil.

As APBC Chair, David said, “The formation of a regulatory council for dog training and behaviour has been long overdue. For too long the public and their pets have had to put up with poor service from unqualified “behaviourists” and “trainers” – advice that can not only be plain wrong, but can have implications for the welfare of the pet and the safety of their owner.

Registration with the ABTC gives the public confidence that the trainer or behaviourist they choose has met their criteria and I hope that eventually everyone who provides these services will become accredited.”

“Pet owners now have a choice, but it is not a choice between ‘good behaviourist’ and ‘bad behaviourist’ rather a choice between a behaviourist who has proved their worth through independent accreditation and one who has not. Individuals who are not yet accredited have nothing to fear from the ABTC as the Council has systems in place for them to be recognised as working towards the standards for accreditation.”

“Why would anyone not want to show that they are working at the top of their profession, proving that they are providing the best service to their clients? The ABTC is the means for them to do that.”

For further information see http://www.abtcouncil.org.uk/

He takes canine and feline problem behaviour cases on referral from Veterinary Surgeons only.

The preferred referral form is recommended by the RCVS and can be downloaded from http://www.cabtsg.org/Resources/ref_form.pdf

As many behaviour problems can begin as the result of disease, please include as full a veterinary record as possible and any medications that may have been prescribed.

The form should be signed by the owner and mailed to David at Spring Cottage, Linstock, Carlisle, Cumbria CA6 4QB, or faxed to 01228 501055. On receipt of the form, David will contact the owner to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

After the behaviour consultation has taken place, a copy of the modification programme as supplied to the owner will be forwarded to you.

Address:
Spring Cottage, Linstock, Carlisle, CA6 4QB

Contact:
tel 07734 446158 fax 01228 501055

email:
d.r@tinyworld.co.uk

Website:
http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk


Areas of Expertise: Canine behaviour and training; Police dog handling and training; Dangerous Dogs Act; Animals Act; Companion animal behaviour.

Background information: David Ryan retired from Cumbria Constabulary in 2007 following a 32 year police career, including 26 years as a police dog trainer and instructor with full Home Office accredited qualifications.

During his police career David had extensive experience of report writing, court prosecutions and procedures. He has given evidence in court on numerous occasions and is well versed in legal protocol. As a police dog instructor he was responsible for the maintenance of training records for dogs and handlers and their assessment under the National Police Dog Assessment Model, including failures to meet grades and remedial actions.

He produced records of competence for dogs and handlers in support of prosecutions and worked in conjunction with the force legal team in defence of allegations made against them. He was also involved in the monitoring of all dog bites inflicted by the constabulary’s police dogs and advised the force on all aspects of dog related matters, including prosecutions of alleged dangerous dogs.

In 2002, he completed a postgraduate Diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling, with distinction, from Southampton University, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for animal behaviour studies.

In 2008 he was Certificated as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour, the highest possible independent accreditation, recognised by both the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Psychological Society.

He now provides companion animal behaviour counselling services on veterinary referral and an expert witness consultancy concerning both civil and criminal litigation involving dogs and other companion animals.

In 2009 David was elected Chair of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, the leading association in its field.

David has lectured on canine behaviour to organisations such as the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group, BSc Animal Behaviour Students and Pet Rescue/rehoming Centres, including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Wood Green Animal Shelter.

In 2010 David wrote the RSPCA’s definitive guide on dealing with aggression in dogs, a version of which is available for the public on their website at http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/dogs/behaviour/aggression

David is an invited member of the expert panel for the DEFRA commissioned review of human directed dog aggression currently being undertaken at the University of Liverpool, and a visiting lecturer on Newcastle University’s MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare.

In 2011 David oversaw the production of training for Local Authority Authorised Officers on behalf of the Scottish Government in preparation for the introduction of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010.

David has been an independently vetted member of the UK Register of Expert Witnesses since 2008 and consequently is well versed in the latest requirements of the Civil and Criminal Procedure Rules in relation to expert witnesses.

Geographical area of work: All of UK

Membership of professional associations:

• Chair of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors
• Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group (BSAVA affiliated)
• Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour

Fees: available on request

Since offering a consultancy in expert witness services David has assessed and examined the behaviour of a wide variety of breeds and types of dogs in wide variety of circumstances, and provided expert opinion in a range of civil and criminal cases:

Civil actions (both plaintiff and defendant)
• Actions for damages for personal injury and loss (Animals Act 1971)
• Actions against employers breaching their duty of care relating to the management of keeping dogs.
• Actions on behalf of plaintiffs (including police officers) bitten by police dogs.
• Actions against dog trainers by pet owners.

Criminal cases
• Murder
• Arson
• Assaults under the Offences Against the Person Act (personal and affray)
• Cases in which it is alleged that a dog has been used as a weapon.
• Cases relying on the evidence of police dog and handler teams (tracking, weapons search, forensic evidence search dogs).
• Cases in which the defendant has been detained (bitten) by a police dog.
• Identification of dogs alleged to be of the Pit Bull Terrier type (Sec 1 Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) and assessment of their behaviour to establish their suitability for a contingent destruction order (Sec 4(A) DDA) for both defence and prosecution.
• Examination of the behaviour of dogs alleged to be dangerously out of control (Sec 3 DDA) and with regard to their suitability for a contingent destruction order, for both defence and prosecution.
• Appeals against destruction orders for allegedly dangerous dogs.

Notably:

Central Criminal Court trial in which it was alleged that a pit bull terrier type dog had been used as a weapon to assist in the murder. After assessing the dog, examining the evidence and submitting a report on its behaviour, defence Counsel were able to successfully submit that the dog was not directed by the defendant.

Edinburgh High Court murder trial in which the evidence of a police tracking dog and handler team was not used following examination of their evidence and submission of a report by the defence.

Central Criminal Court in a murder trial the interpretation of evidence submitted by a police weapons search dog handler in relation to firearms alleged to have been linked to a particular person was called into question.

Claim for damages where the claimant, an employee of a kennels for abandoned animals, sustained severe injuries whilst attempting to intervene in a fight between two dogs. Whilst the employer denied liability, examination of the evidence revealed that the injury could have been avoided if adequate procedures had been in place, resulting in a speedy settlement of the claim.

Several instances of family pets alleged to be dangerous by virtue of their type or their behaviour returned to their owners.

In 2011 David prepared thirty case reports in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and attended Court once only. These are some of the comments received from instructing solicitors:

Many thanks for your assistance, I’m glad to inform you that we will not require you to give evidence. Your report has been incredibly useful in cross examining the Crown’s witnesses. (Murder trial – evidence of police weapons search dog)

A senior prosecutor has read your report and in light of the same, concluded that they cannot win the trial. Consequently the case against XXX has been dropped… Great result – thank you again for all of your assistance. (Alleged S1 Pit Bull Terrier ‘type’ dangerous dog)

I am pleased to be able to report that my office received an official notice of discontinuance from the Crown… Accordingly there will now be no trial. I am under no illusion that the Prosecution’s decision was based substantially on your most professional report and I have no hesitation in asking my office to enter your name into our register of approved experts. (Theft trial where the two accused had been subject to remand in custody on the strength of police dog tracking evidence)

May I say that I am very impressed with the speed and thoroughness with which you have carried out your examinations and prepared your reports. Thank you very much and I shall certainly recommend you to any colleague who may need a similar report. (Two Pit Bull Terrier ‘type’ dogs subject to contingent destruction orders)

May we take this opportunity of thanking you for your assistance in relation to this case and if we require your assistance in future then we will of course be in contact. (Defendant accused of cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act)

This case had many novel features, not least the issue of the dogs and we are pleased to have been able to instruct you in this matter. We are very grateful for all your help and co-operation and look forward to being able to instruct you in the future. (Murder trial, police dog tracking evidence)

I take this opportunity to thank you for a most comprehensive and detailed report, in which I was most impressed, and my client also praised you in your execution of your report. This report has aided my client’s case significantly and it will certainly help her to win her case. (Employee alleging negligence when severely bitten by a dog in the course of her employment).

Service of the report has prompted the other side to put forward an offer… I am pleased to report that a settlement has been reached. Many thanks for your assistance. (Plaintiff bitten by dog, claim under terms of the Animals Act 1971)

If you would like to take advantage of David’s unique combination of legal expertise, experience and theoretical knowledge of canine behaviour you can contact him here.

When he receives your referral David will telephone to make an appointment to see you and your pet, often in your own home. The consultation will last from one to two hours and will cover all aspects of your pet’s problem. This will be followed by a written behaviour modification programme for you to implement. It is rare for there to be more than one visit, and unlimited follow-up telephone and email contact are included.

The total cost is £95 for consultations within a fifteen mile radius of his Carlisle base with an additional 45p per mile when travelling beyond that. As David is Full Member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors your Pet Insurance may well cover this, but policies vary so please check with your insurance company.

There is widespread concern within the profession that unqualified people setting themselves up as an animal behaviourist may have serious consequences for pet welfare. In the light of that, in 2002, the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB), the United Kingdom’s leading professional society for the study of animal behaviour, set up a certification scheme for animal behaviourists after consultation with the British Psychological Society, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, the UK Registry of Canine Behaviourists, the International Society for Applied Ethology, the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group, the Kennel Club and other organizations concerned with dog training.

The outcome is an independent Certification of the highest standard, administered by the Accreditation Committee of ASAB, as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist, and those certified are entitled to use the initials CCAB.

Certification constitutes recognition by ASAB that the behaviourist meets the educational, experiential and ethical standards required by the society and that by consulting with a CCAB clients can be assured that the behaviourist is suitably qualified, has experience of treating behaviour problems and adheres to a code of conduct.

Many organisations provide “qualifications” in dog training and behaviour through attending their own courses, or “accreditation” through paying a membership fee. The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour is the only independent organisation to demand evidence of academic education to degree level, at least three years applied experience and ongoing continued professional development.

During that time he trained dogs from seven stone German Shepherds to one-stone-wringing-wet Cocker Spaniels, including general-purpose police dogs (the ones with the teeth), drugs, weapons and cash detection, explosives search and firearms support dogs. He has competed in police dog trials and participated in police dog displays, and introduced breeding and puppy rearing programmes.

He was the first police dog instructor to be awarded Southampton University’s postgraduate diploma in companion animal behaviour counselling, with distinction, in 2002, and also the first to be accepted as a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, currently serving as Chair. He is certified as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist by the independent Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour and has a unique blend of practical experience and theoretical knowledge of canine behaviour.

Now retired from the police service, he takes behaviour cases and puppy-training classes only on veterinary referral. He has presented educational study days for the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors and has lectured at the Wood Green Animal Shelter, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and to BSc animal behaviour students at Myerscough College. His dog behaviour articles have appeared in publications as diverse as Woman’s Own, the Daily Telegraph and Your Dog magazine.

David appears as an expert legal witness in canine behaviour and advised the Scottish Parliamentary Cross Party Group for Animal Welfare on the negative implications of training dogs with the use of electric shock collars, on behalf of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He presented the APBC’s response to the Scottish Government and Welsh Assembly Government consultations into the use of electronic training devices.

David’s particular interest is in inherited predatory motor patterns and the lengths to which pets will go to find a way to express them, usually despite their owners’ best efforts.

Problems can be complicated in their origins and any sudden onset of, or a sudden increase in, problem behaviour should be investigated by a veterinary surgeon. If you would like to consult David about your pet’s behaviour, please ask your veterinary surgeon for a referral .