About Julie Corbin
I have owned dogs for as long as I can remember. I grew up with them as a child and have since enjoyed their constant companionship.
The first dog to give me an insight into the world of dog training was a Yorkshire Terrier called Bobby. I re-homed Bobby from an elderly couple who were unable to cope with his territorial barking and aggression. Bobby was truly a big dog in a little body – What an attitude! Never being one to give in, we developed an understanding relationship and bonded during our long walks, play and cuddles. He was always a challenge due to the experiences of his former years yet there is no doubt that he lived out the rest of his life a far happier dog. If only I knew then what I know now!!!
I am married to Andy, a police officer who was formerly a Sergeant on the Dog Section. He introduced the Dorset Police Puppy Scheme. It is thanks to him and the many puppies that passed through our door that I developed a keen interest in dog training, fascinated by their different characters, strengths, natural abilities and drive. As a registered Dorset Police Puppy Walker I helped raise numerous police puppies including Zorro, Zen, Odi and Taz.
It was inevitable that in addition to owning two adorable 10 year old Labradors, I would eventually own two retired German Shepherd Police Dogs aged 8 and 4 years. Together they are responsible for a change in the direction of my working life.
I started my career in the financial industry, initially working for a large life assurance company and later for an independent advisor. I thoroughly enjoyed my work but after seven years I decided to follow my life-long ambition of joining the police force.
Life in the police was full of opportunities. I pursued my career in the Dorset Police for 17 years initially enjoying the ever changing challenges as a uniformed officer and later joining the CID. During this time I investigated serious crime and major fraud and worked as a Family Liaison Officer assisting bereaved families through the criminal investigation procedure following the murder of a close relative. In 2001 my role as Family Liaison Officer took me to New York in the aftermath of the 9/11 bombings to assist British families locate their loved ones. Unfortunately, I had to retire from the police in 2006 when an injury obtained during an accident early in my police service eventually caught up with me.
Never being one to idle my time away, I started dog walking. Some of my new four legged friends, however, were not quite as obedient and responsive as I would have liked, or indeed was used to! This led to my career-changing decision to increase my knowledge beyond the experience I had gained with my own dogs and working with the Police Dogs who were now a part of my family.
Initially I trained as a Dog Listener with Jan Fennell Amichien Dog Listeners Ltd, gaining certification in Canine Communication and Advanced Canine Communication. This gave me a broad understanding of dogs, their behaviour and their relationship with their owners. I built on this knowledge, subsequently attaining a distinction in the study of Animal Behaviour at Kingston Maurward College. Keen to develop my knowledge further I undertook additional studies and training resulting in certification as an Advanced Dog Training Instructor with the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).
