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dog training and scentwork in kent.
Helping dogs and their humans build confidence, connection and real life skills through kind, ethical training.
🐾 Puppy Training
🐾 Life Skills Classes
🐾 Scentwork & Tracking
🐾 1-2-1 Dog Training
Help Me Choose the Right Training.
Based at Waggy Tails Fied, Old Romney, Romney Marsh, Kent.
Why Dogs Love Learning at SkellyWags.
- Purpose built Scent Shed
- Secure training field
- Meadow pathways for calm learning
- Small supportive classes
- Positive reinforcement methods
- Dogs treated as individuals
As the principal trainer at SkellyWags when I’m not teaching Scentwork, Puppy Classes, or running 1-1 dog training or other classes, you’ll probably find me geeking out over dog behaviour, writing something silly about Bert’s latest antics, or planning new ways to make training fun, rewarding and meaningful for every dog and human who joins our SkellyWags family.
I also wrote a book which will give you an insight into not only me, but the world of dog training too!
Don’t just take our word for it! Read Testimonials
Dog Training Courses
Our class dates are updated regularly for the latest dates please view our what’s on page.
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What Is Scentwork for Dogs? A Beginner’s Guide
Have you ever watched your dog investigate one particular blade of grass for what feels like three working days? To us, it may appear that absolutely nothing is happening. To our dogs, however, that little patch of ground can contain an entire story. Who has been there, how long ago they passed through and possibly…
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VARK, Not BARK: Dog Trainers Need to Understand How Humans Learn Too
As dog trainers, we spend a great deal of time learning how dogs learn. We talk about reinforcement, association, motivation, timing, environment and whether the piece of cheese in our hand is actually more interesting than the spaniel disappearing into the undergrowth. All very important stuff. However, there is another animal standing at the end…
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How Does a Dog’s Nose Work? Scentwork, Sniffing and Hot Weather
Scentwork is often suggested as a good alternative to walking when the weather is hot. That makes sense. It can be done indoors, it doesn’t need lots of space and a dog can enjoy using their nose without racing around or covering miles. However, scentwork isn’t a magical hot weather loophole. When it becomes extremely…
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Sharing Your Lovely Words Without Feeling Like a Show Off
I’m very lucky to receive some truly lovely reviews from the people who bring their dogs to SkellyWAGS or homes I visit. I read and reply to every one of them. I appreciate every one of them. Occasionally, they even make me feel as though I might know what I’m doing. Then comes the difficult…
Meet Mark from SkellyWags Dog Training
Hi, I’m Mark
I’m the trainer behind SkellyWAGS Dog Training and the SkellyWAGS School of Scent here in Kent. I started SkellyWAGS in 2019 with a simple aim: to help dogs and their guardians understand one another a little better.
I describe myself as an ethical, reward based dog trainer. For me, that means looking beyond the behaviour we can see and asking what the dog might be communicating. Training should consider the whole dog their emotions, physical wellbeing, environment, previous experiences and individual personality.
My approach is built around trust, communication and choice. I don’t believe every dog should be trained in exactly the same way or expected to progress at the same speed. Whether I’m helping with a puppy, recall, loose lead walking, reactivity, everyday Life Skills or scentwork, the starting point is always the dog in front of me.
Ethical training isn’t simply about whether something works. It’s about how it works, why it works and what that experience is like for the dog. Results matter, of course, but the dog’s wellbeing must always be part of the result.
Alongside me is Bert, my Border Collie, best friend and occasional quality control manager. He has taught me an enormous amount about patience, communication and the importance of listening to dogs, even when what they’re communicating is that my lunch appears to be unnecessarily far away from them.
At SkellyWAGS, you won’t be judged, and your dog won’t be expected to be perfect. You’ll find friendly, practical support shaped around real dogs, real people and real life.
Because good training shouldn’t just change behaviour. It should strengthen the relationship you share.
Read what our clients say → HERE
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Puppy Classes in Kent
Our 6 week puppy course covers all the basics to get you and your pup off to a flying start. The course covers all of the basics such as recall, sit, wait, down, loose lead walking and more.
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The Dogs Came First. Every Time.
July 2026 has officially entered the record books. It was England’s driest July on record and its second warmest, while here in Southern England it was both the warmest July and the driest month ever recorded. Those figures probably won’t surprise anyone who spent much of the month checking the temperature, looking hopefully at rain…