SkellyWags Dog Training Kent

Kind, practical puppy training in Old Romney, Romney Marsh

Bringing a puppy home is exciting, wonderful and, at times, a little overwhelming. One minute they are asleep looking like the most innocent creature ever created; the next they are attached to your trouser leg like a tiny, furry crocodile.

Our five-week puppy training course is designed to help you understand your puppy, build their confidence and begin teaching the everyday skills that will make life together easier.

Classes are friendly, relaxed and kept small so that you and your puppy receive plenty of individual support. All our training uses positive reinforcement, with no force, fear or outdated methods.

The aim isn’t to create a “perfect” puppy. It is to help you build communication, confidence and a positive relationship that will continue long after the course has finished.

Next course begins: 29th August 2026 at 11.00am ONLY 1 SPACE REMAINING
Location: Waggy Tails Field, Old Romney, Romney Marsh, Kent TN29 9SG
Course length: Five weekly classes
Price: £90
Suitable for: Puppies under six months old at the beginning of the course
Class size: Small, supportive groups

Puppy Training for Real Life

Puppy training is about far more than teaching a sit or down. Those skills can certainly be useful, but we also want to help you and your puppy manage the situations you are likely to meet in everyday life.

Throughout the five-week course, we will work on:

• Building a positive and reliable recall
• Introducing loose lead walking
• Helping your puppy focus around distractions
• Teaching useful cues such as sit, down and wait
• Encouraging calm greetings
• Helping your puppy settle and switch off
• Building confidence around new objects and environments
• Supporting appropriate puppy socialisation
• Understanding common puppy behaviour
• Strengthening communication between you and your puppy

We will show you how to continue the training at home using short, manageable activities. You won’t need to set aside hours every day or turn your front room into a puppy training academy. A few minutes of enjoyable training, repeated regularly, can make an enormous difference.

More Than Just Puppy Obedience Classes

People often search for “puppy obedience classes”, but we prefer to think of what we teach as Life Skills.

Your puppy isn’t here to obey every instruction without question. They are learning how to live in a very human world filled with leads, traffic, visitors, other dogs, exciting smells and dropped sandwiches.

Our role is to help them understand that world while giving you the skills to guide and support them.

We will help you recognise when your puppy is finding something difficult, when they need more space and when they are ready to take the next step. Training should help your puppy feel safe and confident, not worried about getting things wrong.

Positive Puppy Training Without Force or Fear

All SkellyWAGS puppy classes are based on kind, ethical and positive reinforcement training.

We use food, toys, play and access to things your puppy enjoys to reward the behaviours we would like to see again. Puppies are never punished, intimidated or forced into situations they cannot cope with.

Every puppy develops at a different pace. Some arrive ready to investigate everything, while others prefer to sit back and take in the surroundings before joining in. Both are perfectly acceptable.

We train the puppy in front of us rather than expecting every puppy in the class to behave or learn in exactly the same way.

What Does Puppy Socialisation Really Mean?

Socialisation is often described as meeting lots of people and playing with as many dogs as possible. In reality, good puppy socialisation is about helping your puppy experience the world safely and at a pace they can manage.

Your puppy does not need to greet every dog or person they see. They also don’t need to be placed in the middle of a puppy free for all to learn how to behave around other dogs.

In our classes, puppies learn in the presence of one another while being given appropriate space. We help them practise noticing other dogs, returning their attention to their guardian and feeling comfortable without having to rush over and say hello.

The aim is to build calm, positive experiences not simply collect as many puppy introductions as possible.

What Makes SkellyWAGS Puppy Classes Different?

Our classes are relaxed, supportive and focused on real life. Nobody will be judging you if your puppy becomes distracted, has an enthusiastic five minutes or temporarily forgets that you exist. That is one of the reasons people come to puppy classes.

At SkellyWAGS, you can expect:

• Small classes with individual guidance
• Kind, positive and force-free training
• A secure outdoor training venue
• Plenty of space between puppies
• Practical skills for everyday life
• Support without judgement
• Training that considers how your puppy feels
• A focus on confidence, connection and communication
• Advice that can be adapted to your individual puppy

Our venue at Waggy Tails Field gives us the space to work around natural distractions without placing puppies under unnecessary pressure. It also allows us to include confidence building activities that help puppies investigate, make choices and learn through positive experiences.

Is a Group Puppy Class Right for My Puppy?

Puppy classes can be a brilliant place to learn, but a group environment won’t suit every puppy straight away.

If your puppy becomes extremely worried around other dogs or people, struggles to cope in new environments or is easily overwhelmed, starting with a one-to-one session may be a kinder and more productive option.

This does not mean that your puppy has failed or can never join a class. It simply means we begin in an environment where they can feel safe enough to learn.

If you are unsure which option would suit your puppy, please get in touch before booking. We will be happy to talk it through with you.

Find out more about our one-to-one training.

Start Puppy Training Before Vaccinations

You don’t have to wait until your puppy can attend a group class before asking for help.

The first few weeks at home can bring questions about puppy biting, toileting, sleep, settling, being left alone, confidence and creating a routine. This is all normal puppy territory, but having support early can make it feel far less overwhelming.

Our Puppy Package provides help from the beginning and then continues into group training when your puppy is ready.

The £200 Puppy Package Includes:

• Two one-to-one visits at your home
• Personalised support with your puppy’s early needs
• A full five-week puppy training course once your puppy is ready to attend

The home sessions allow us to look at your puppy’s individual needs in the place where most early puppy behaviour happens. We can help you create realistic routines, understand what your puppy is communicating and begin building good foundations from day one.

Find out more about the Puppy Package.

Meet Your Puppy Trainer

I’m Mark, the trainer behind SkellyWAGS Dog Training.

My approach is based on positive reinforcement, giving dogs appropriate choice and helping guardians understand the dog in front of them. I want training to feel practical, supportive and enjoyable for both ends of the lead.

You won’t be expected to arrive with everything already sorted. Your puppy does not need to know any cues before starting, and you certainly won’t be the only person with questions.

Puppies are learning about the world while we are learning about them. My role is to help make that process a little clearer, less stressful and, hopefully, good fun too.

Puppy Classes in Old Romney, Kent

Our puppy training classes are held at:

Waggy Tails Field
Old Romney
Romney Marsh
Kent TN29 9SG

We welcome puppies and their guardians from across Romney Marsh and the surrounding areas, including New Romney, Dymchurch, Lydd, Hythe, Folkestone, Ashford and nearby villages.

Classes take place outdoors at our secure training venue. Outdoor training gives puppies the opportunity to learn around the sights, sounds and smells they will encounter in real life, while still having the space and support they need.

Here is a bit about our amazing venue.

Before Booking Your Puppy Class

Please make sure that your puppy:

• Will be under six months old when the course begins
• Will have completed the vaccinations required to attend by the course start date
• Is able to attend the five-week course at Old Romney
• Can cope with learning in the presence of a small number of other puppies

If you are unsure about vaccinations, please speak to your veterinary practice before attending.

If you have any concerns about whether a class is suitable for your puppy, contact us before booking. We would much rather help you choose the most appropriate starting point than place your puppy in an environment they find difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Classes

What age can my puppy start classes?

Puppies can join the course once they have completed the vaccinations required to attend. They must be under six months old at the start of the five-week course.

If your puppy cannot attend classes yet, our Puppy Package allows you to begin training and receive support through one-to-one home visits.

Does my puppy need to know anything before starting?

No. Your puppy does not need to know any cues before joining us.

The course is designed to help you start building useful skills together. We are not expecting a polished performance on week one—or week five, for that matter. Puppies are young, easily distracted and still learning about the world.

Will my puppy get to play with all the other puppies?

Our classes are not based around uncontrolled puppy play.

Puppies learn around one another while having sufficient space to feel comfortable. This helps them practise calm behaviour and focus without learning that every dog they see is an invitation to charge over and play.

Any interaction will be considered carefully, taking account of the puppies involved and how they are feeling.

What should I bring to puppy class?

Please bring plenty of small, tasty food rewards, a suitable lead and harness, poo bags and anything else requested in your joining information.

It is helpful to bring rewards your puppy genuinely enjoys. The middle of a puppy class is rarely the best time to discover that your puppy considers their everyday biscuits deeply disappointing.

What if my puppy is nervous?

Please contact us before booking if your puppy is very worried around unfamiliar dogs, people or environments.

Some nervous puppies can attend successfully when they are given additional space and support. Others may benefit from beginning with one-to-one training before joining a group. We will help you consider what is likely to be best for your puppy.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable?

Your puppy’s welfare will always come first.

As classes are held outdoors, sessions may occasionally need to be moved or rescheduled because of extreme heat or other unsuitable weather. We will always keep you informed and provide as much notice as possible.

What if my puppy is over six months old?

Puppies and young dogs over six months may be better suited to our Life Skills course.

Life Skills classes continue to build recall, loose lead walking, focus, calmness and confidence using the same kind, positive approach.

Find out more about Life Skills classes

Can I get help with puppy biting, toileting or settling at home?

Yes. These are common puppy behaviours and can be discussed as part of the course.

If you need more individual help or would like support before the course begins, a one-to-one home session or our Puppy Package may be more suitable.

Learn more about one-to-one puppy training

Give Your Puppy a Positive Start

You don’t need to get everything right immediately. Raising a puppy is a learning process for both of you, and progress rarely happens in a perfectly straight line.

Our puppy classes will give you practical skills, a better understanding of your puppy and the support to build a positive relationship from the beginning.

If you are ready to join us, you can book your place below. If you are unsure whether the course is right for your puppy, please get in touch and we will be happy to help.

Five-week Puppy Training Course: £90

✔️ Before You Book Your Puppy Course

Please ensure that your puppy:

• Is fully vaccinated by the course start date

• Is under 6 months old when the course begins

• Can attend at our training field in Old Romney, Kent

If you’re ready to book your space, simply use the button below.
If you have any questions at all, just get in touch — we’re always happy to help.

Pay for the course today, and we will contact you regarding your dog’s specifics usually within 24 hours.

Should you wish to book a place, please use the button below.

For any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Should this method of payment fail, then please call us on +44 7977 011960 and we will take payment and complete your order.

Still Not Sure?

Choosing the right puppy class is important.

If you have questions, would like to chat about your puppy, or simply want to know whether SkellyWags is the right fit for you, please get in touch.

We’re always happy to help.

No pressure. No obligation. Just honest advice.