David Ryan

David Ryan was a police dog handler and Home Office accredited instructor for twenty-six years, helping to lead the revolution in dog training out of the “push, pull and shout” methods used since the Great War.

He was the first police dog instructor to be awarded Southampton University’s postgraduate diploma (level 7) in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling, with distinction; the first to be a full member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors, serving as Chair; the first to be certificated as a Clinical Animal Behaviourist by the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour and a founder member of the Fellowship of Animal Behaviour Clinicians.

David has worked as a dog behaviour counsellor and a university lecturer, instructed Police Dog Legislation Officers’ Courses, and advised major charities and both the UK and Scottish Governments. He appeared as a legal expert witness in cases involving alleged pit bull terriers and dogs dangerously out of control.

David retired from practice in 2022, but continues to share his extensive knowledge and experience as an author and lecturer.