Dave spent 39 years in the police service and 34 years as an operation dog handler, working for 17 years as an Inspector in charge of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary Dog Section. During that time he undertook roles as an armed dog handler, drugs detection, firearms support, and explosives detection dog handling duties, as well as commanding Public Order and Major Sporting Events, search operations for high profile persons, missing persons and crime scene searches.

Dave is a Master Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers (MGoDT), a member of the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE), a member of the British Police and Services Canine Association (BPSCA), and has a Masters Degree (MA) from Middlesex University (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology. Since leaving the police service in 2013, Dave has used his experience of dog training and behaviour to assist pet dog owners to resolve training and behavioural issues with their dogs.