
Colin Spender
Dog Expert Witness
Colin Spender has been involved with training dogs for over 30 years, professionally for over twenty six years. He is a Home office Qualified & accredited Police dog Instructor (H.Dip PDI). Colin retired from the police service in September 2015 after 26 years of working and training police dogs. He is an expert witness for Criminal and Civil court cases involving dog related issues, as such he is an accredited Dog Legislation Officer (DLO) and recognised by the courts as such, in particular to banned breed and dangerous dogs.
Colin holds an Advanced Certificate in Education (Adv Cert Ed) (HE) with Canterbury Christchurch University. Colin was closely involved with the Police puppy programme caring for and bringing on puppies alongside operational working Police dogs. He has worked successfully a number of General Purpose (GPD) police dogs as well as having dual trained narcotics dogs and specialist narcotics detection dogs. Colin was a dog assessor and puppy walker for his force, bringing on the puppies and sometimes gift dogs, training them to the required standard to be able to complete the initial police dog training course.
He has completed a Ba Hons Degree with the CIDBT in association with Middlesex University in Canine Behaviour, Training and Psychology. (Professional practice)
Colin now runs his own dog behaviour and dog training business, helping local owners overcome behavioural problems, which helps them to obtain a better relationship with their dogs with training advice and guidance. Using his knowledge base and as important hands on experience enabling owners to help modify undesired behaviours within their dogs. He helps educate owners to have a better understanding of the dogs displayed behaviours and read and work with their dogs on a dog to dog communicative basis, which enables the dogs and owners to rehabilitate themselves for a more peacefully life together.
Colin is also involved in helping to advise a local charity which trains dogs to assist the disabled (in particular wheel chair bound owners)
Colin is also a member of the Guild of Dog Trainers, (GoDT) holding a Master trainers certificate with them (MT)
Colin is also a tutor with the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training (CIDBT) and specialises in dog law and in an Instructional role for dog handlers/ Instructors.
Colin has now taken on the role as Director of Experts for the CFBA. (See tab Director of Experts)