About us & our dogs

Mark has over 34 years industry experience and has had great success over the years training many dogs, his success lies in his calm methodical approach which can cope with even the most unruly of our canine friends!  Mark works with groups and also on a one to one basis, he is based in Wigan but works all over the north west helping owners and their dogs lead a more harmonious life.

Mark has lectured at Myerscough Agricultural College, worked with Wigan Council on dog behavioural matters and had spoken for the Probus society as well as  being involved in several tv programmes. The Princes Trust is another national organisation that have also benefitted from Marks unique approach. He is also the voice behind the displays put on By Preston Agility Dogs (PADs) and is a founder member of that club . Mark also works closely with several canine rescue organisations and helps processing and rehabilitating of any problem dogs. Many dogs owe their lives to the Dogtastic techniques that bring about behavioural changes.

Nell is my main obedience and agility dog. Despite suffering a stroke 4 years ago, when she temporarily lost her sight and was unable to stand or walk, she runs well at agility and is also used for demonstrating obedience at my weekly classes. She is the grumpiest dog I have ever owned and that I am afraid has come from the breeding line. Despite her character fault and her now being only partialy sighted she enjoys any form of training and indeed is currently being run at agility by a 10 year old boy who has no dog of his own. She is teaching him a great deal about dog training! Nell also excells at flyball and is a good alrounder who is great fun to have around. She was bought by me after losing my last collie and has been a great investment.

Amber is a rescue dog I took on when she was only 10 months old. She had been abandoned and tied to a fence and had a badly broken front leg. She was a real speed machine in her younger days, gentle as a lamb and friends with everyone. Brains are not over abundant and what she lacks in intelect she makes up for in personality! These days she is very much a couch potato and rarely goes out for a walk if the weather is bad, a quick toilet visit to the garden is all she wants. Summer is the time for walks for our Amber

Sadly Amber succumbed to cancer and was put to sleep peacefully on16th Jan 2012 aged 16. God Bless.

Sadly Tika passed away in Feb 2010 despite an emergency operation and leaves a huge gap in our lives. RIP Old girl.She came to us after her owner died. We  were looking for a new home for her but she settled well and is a godsend when I’m working with dogs that are dog aggressive. She just stands there and lets them get it out of their system.Usually she ends up walking with them and gives off that confident but calm energy that is required with some problem dogs I have to deal with. She looks tough but is a gentle girl who loves human company, a sheep in wolfs clothing!

What can we say about him? He gets spoiled  rotten. A real character, he loves doing agility but being obedient does not come naturally to him. Typically for a terreir he can be noisy, especially when running on the agility course. He is contented and quiet at home with all his 4 adoring females. Jake has worked with me when visiting centers for adults with learning dificulties and was a huge hit with all the people there. He has also helped with teenagers from the Princes Trust and showed them how much fun a little dog can have!

I rescued Heidi from a home where she hadn’t been outside for many months, was under weight and nervous of everything and everyone! She was also going to be rehomed once trained but again I  decided to keep her. She has had her problems and has proved to be very dominant if left to her own devices within my pack. She is a dog that needs firm leadership and guidance to stop trouble from breaking out. She is doing well at agility but is still very much an adolescent and will take time to mature. She looks stunning and is my constant companion. I have high hopes for her  - eventually.

She is a 17 year old patterdale type terrier who came to us when my uncle had to go into a nursing home. A real “scruffy mutt” who is going deaf and cannot resist the lure of food when out on a walk. She will search out and devour anything remotely edible, the smellier the better it would seem! A real golden oldie who will live out her life here with the gang.