Academic Panel of Experts and Course Tutors

The CIDBT Panel of academic experts have a truly comprehensive range of skills and experiences gained through years of practical work in this field.

Inspector Ron Fyffe

BSc (Hons) DipHE FIEA BPS

Ron is a Senior Training Development Officer at the Scottish Police College

Ron is based at Tulliallan Castle where he is responsible for the training of trainers and delivery of the Napier University Diploma of Higher Education in Training & Development. He joined Angus Constabulary as a Cadet in 1972 and served as an officer in Tayside Police in operational roles until retiring as Inspector in 2006 and taking up his current position. He was a Police Dog Handler from 1981 until 1998 handling GP, Explosives, Drugs and Tactical Firearm Support Dogs. He is a Home Office Instructor and an ACPO Explosives Search Instructor with assessing experience throughout the UK. Nearing the end of his service Ron completed a degree in psychology with the Open University then went on to obtain a Dip HE in Training & Development. He is presently completing his Master of Education with Stirling University and is an exponent of the lifelong learning concept. In 2007 undertook an evaluation of training methodologies in the French Gendarmerie and Polish National Police including their Dog Training Centres at Gramat and Sulkowice.

Roger Tabor

CCBiol MIBiol MPhil FCFBA HonFBNA FLS

Course Tutor

Roger is known for a wide range of activities , but he is best known as the TV Catman and Naturalist. He is one the most respected and sought after experts in the world in relation to Cats, their behaviour, psychology and relationships with people. His interest in dogs helped him produce the book titled: 100 Ways to Improve Dogs' Behaviour. 100 Ways to Improve Your Cat's Behaviour. Roger started his TV career on the BBC’s “Animal Magic”, co-presenting alongside the legendary Johnny Morris, (including a “Galapagos Special” from the Pacific). Roger presented the BBC’s “Country File” for 2 years before presenting and writing his widely acclaimed BBC TV series “Cats” that was filmed over 3 years in 14 countries. It was shown worldwide, and accompanied by his best-selling book Cats – the Rise of the Cat. Roger’s first book The Wild Life of the Domestic Cat was described by Desmond Morris as “one of the modern classics of feline literature”. Due to his TV programmes, books and research on cat behaviour and history, he is recognised as one of the world's leading authorities on cats. He has observed cats in over 25 countries around the world.

Derek Williams

MCFBA MBIPDT MBPSCA

Derek is the proprietor of the Cheshire Canine Behaviour Centre. He has over 32 years' experience working full time with dogs, 25 years of which were as a police dog trainer and instructor. During his distinguished career, Derek has successfully competed at the highest level in both police and civilian trials. In 1989,1990 and 1991 he won the Cheshire Police Dog Trials and also in 1991 won a Pro Dogs Gold medal for outstanding team work and bravery with his police dog Thor.Derek specialises in the assessment and rehabilitation of problem dogs, he possesses a wealth of experience in behaviour modification in particular dealing with aggression problems. He is regularly called upon by a wide range of professional organisations including the RSPCA, Manchester Dogs Home, the Cheshire Dogs Home as well as many veterinary practices. Derek lectures on canine behaviour both on radio and television. Derek's expertise is utilised in dog-related court cases where he acts as an expert witness for cases under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Colin C. Tennant

FCFBA MGoDT (MT)

CIDBT Principal & Course Tutor

Colin Tennant has trained dogs and developed methods to improve their behaviour for 30 years. He has trained in Law, Psychotherapy, Hypnotherapy and the Police Dog Section. He has also competed successfully in working trials and obedience to the highest levels in the UK. He set up the Canine & Feline Behaviour Centre in Hertfordshire & London, where he has gained much experience with dogs and cats, advising on a diverse range of behavioural problems and showing owners how to gain control. He is also Britain's leading media expert in dog and general pet care and behaviour and regularly appears in BBC and ITV programmes such as BBC Kilroy, BBC Value for Money, BBC 4X4, and ITV News. Colin is also a successful pet film director, producer and broadcaster for video and BBC TV. He also is an author of the new definitive book on dog behaviour: Breaking Bad Habits for Dogs. Also 21 Days To Train Your Dog and Dog Training & Behaviour published in 14 languages and the first in Chinese. Chairman of the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association.

Charlie Clarricoates

FCFBA MGoDT (MT)

CIDBT Education Director, Course Tutor

Charlie runs a successful Canine Behaviour, Training and Health Centre in Cambridgeshire. He has worked with dogs full-time for the past twenty years. He currently sees approximately 3500 dogs for behavioural problems and a further 600 for training each year.

Charlie has also been responsible for the selection and training of dogs to detect cancer in conjunction with Cambridge University.

Charlie is a writer for numerous publications including 'Your Dog' magazine and has appeared in a number of television programmes and books.

Ross runs the London Dog Behaviour Company and also works at the Canine and Feline Behaviour Centre in Hertfordshire. He works with private clients training throughout Central London and surrounding counties. He is a full member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers and the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association of Great Britain, a master trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers and is a member of the Kennel Club Accredited Instructor Scheme (KCAI) . Ross contributes to a number of British pet magazines and Newspapers including 'Our Dogs' and the 'Our Dogs Annual' and is a feature writer for 'Dogs Monthly' magazine often examining complex human/canine relationships. Ross is also a Canine Temperament Assessor for the charity Pets as Therapy as well as various social services family placement teams.

Jenny Hoare

MRCVS

John Windsor Ashford

CIDBT Systems & IT Analyst

John is an IT & programme analyst. He works for a number of large UK corporations in Finance and setting up systems for the financial sector. He also has a keen interest in dogs and has worked behind the scenes for a number of years with the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association. John is currently developing international student registration and fee programmes for the University courses on offer through the CIDBT.

Andrew Hill

MBA

CIDBT Vice Principal and Course Tutor

Consultant in education and corporate design. Andrew has a wealth of experience in both course management and delivery and has been a member of the Academic Board at Dunstable College since 1996. A member of the e-learning and technology team with the Learning & Skills Development Agency from 2002 to 2006 and currently an LSN Associate with the Learning & Skills Network and lecturer in web design and communication. He has led a series of national events for practitioners and educational advisers illustrating how modern technology and 'web tools' can be utilised to enhance the learning environment.

Patricia Roe

ACFBA

Course Tutor

Pat is involved with dogs, training, breeding, showing and judging. Initially training in competitive obedience and later progressing to ringcraft. She breeds and shows German Shepherd Dogs, making up her first champion in the showring in 1984. Pat is a Kennel Club Judge, judging German Shepherd Dogs. Pat has been invited to give Challenge Certificates in 2007 and 2008. Pat also trains dogs for media and television work and for Theatre productions. Pat is the secretary of a national GSD breed club. Pat currently trains dogs at club obedience level and ringcraft classes and on a one to one basis through out the Sheffield area, giving advice on nutrition, behaviour and training.

View Patricia's website here

Sara Muncke

BA MCFBA

Course Tutor

Sara has over 30 years experience in animal rescue, rehoming and rehabilitation. For the past 15 years Sara has been the manager of an independent canine welfare home. Annually Sara assesses over 500 dogs on behalf of the Chiltern Dog Rescue Society. Dog rescue, dog training and behaviour are not words that most people would normally expect to see in the same sentence. However, Sara ensures that the staff at her organisation are aware that behaviour and training go hand in hand, in order to achieve a happy outcome for the dogs in their care. Sara particularly enjoys working with and training dogs with severe behavioural problems and rehabilitating and rehoming the dogs and working with the new owners over a period of time to ensure successful permanent homes. Sara is also a qualified teacher and has spent many years teaching children with additional needs including Downs Syndrome, Autism and Dyslexia.

Sharon Johnson

AMACC FBIH D.FEA

Course Tutor

Sharon is a specialist in the use of Bach Flower Remedies for animals and runs the company, Creature Comforts Consultancy . She has several years' experience as a distance learning tutor and writes a regular monthly article for Dog Training Weekly advising owners on the benefits of using Bach Flower Remedies to address their pets' problems. Sharon has been a finalist in the Thurrock Business Awards in both 2005 and 2007 and was a winner in 2006.

Jane Evans

MA BACP

Jane has worked in the Counselling and training profession since 1994. This has included positions within Voluntary and Charitable organisations, Education (Schools, FE colleges and University establishments in Leicester, Nottingham and East Midlands), Local Government, and the public sector. She has worked in private practice as a counsellor and counselling supervisor in leicester since 1996. She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Her training, assessment and verification experience extends over the last 20 years

Jane is currently writing a Trainee and Practitoner Guide for Online counselling with Sage publications which will be available towards the end of 2008.