Don’t just take our word for it, here are a few recent reviews from people who’ve used our services.
Sonia Earl.
Mark is an excellent dog trainer, professional, knowledgeable, always puts the dogs first & you always know it will be good fun too !We recently had Mark come to our home for a 1-2-1 with Sparky.His advice & help has been first class and we can already see improvements after only a few days.Highly recommend SkellyWags 
Kerrie Nightingale.
Jasper (my dog) amd I have trained with SkellyWags Dog Training for nearly 3 years now. We have taken part in canitalk, scent courses, workshops and rally courses as well as having 1-2-1s. MARK is fantastic as are those that support him on some of the courses and activities. It is a welcoming environment that focuses on what is right for your dog, even if that is different from others. The positive reinforcement both the handler and dog recieve get real results. My dog and I always come away feeling we learnt something new or developed a skill further and most important we both come away happy. I still regularly attended and sign up for courses and attend the local scent club night as jasper and I continue to get so much from them. If you are looking for a rewarding experience that will support you and your dog…contact Mark at Skellywags. You won’t regret it.
Michael Doyle
Great afternoon introducing our dog to scent work. She seemed to really enjoy working through the problems and earning her rewards. Hoping to carry on with SkellyWags in the near future.
Anne Chapman.
Me and my dog Badger have just completed the Bronze Scent Training Course run by Mark at SkellyWags. What a fantastic class and we have both enjoyed it so much.
Badger is quite an anxious dog , and from a young age has found it very difficult and challenging to be around strangers and dogs. Despite some very negative past experiences with other dog trainers using outdated techniques, Badger and I have worked really hard on positively building his confidence and optimism and over the past two years, Badger has made huge progress.
After reading about the benefits of Scent work for anxious dogs, I was keen to find out about the possibilities of joining a class. Because of the negative experiences we had had in the past it was important to find one that was going to be right for Badger.
I came across SkellyWags and after reading the positive comments from other students, I contacted Mark . He asked about any specific problems my dog had and for the first time I felt that here was a trainer who actually listened and understood my dogs needs. I took the plunge and booked us in.
I was really worried about starting the course, as I didn’t know if it would be too much for Badger being in a class environment. I needn’t have worried. When we arrived for our first session, Mark greeted me and explained that he had positioned us away from the other dogs/owners, to give Badger the space he needed.The set up was brilliant- a small class, an individual pod and equipment for each dog, their own water bowl and a chair for the owners.
Not only did we make it through the first class, we completed the full six weeks!
Mark has a very natural understanding of dogs and their needs. Badger is extremely wary of people he doesn’t know, especially men, but with Marks calm and steady approach each week, Badger now happily greets him and is enthusiastic to get into the field for his class. It’s been wonderful to see his confidence grow each week and him truly enjoying the Scent class. By week six he was standing up wagging his tail as we drove in!
I simply cannot recommend Mark enough and I absolutely wish we had found him two years ago. Thank you so much Mark for all you have done for Badger – you’ve completely set him up for success in every class , you’re amazing and we are really looking forward to starting our Silver classes with you soon!
Paul Regardsoe
Thoroughly enjoyable scent training course over 5 weeks. I think we got as much out of it as our dog and Mark has a way of talking that gives you confidence that you are doing ok no matter how you think it’s going.
Cherith Stibbe.
Our Labrador puppy Phoebe has grown in confidence around new people since doing the puppy training classes with Skellywags. Mark is always happy to answer any questions and even adapted some of the classes based on the specific needs of the pups in our group. Now, we’re enjoying the Beginner’s Scentwork Classes together and loving every minute! I’d highly recommend SkellyWags Dog Training.Book today – you won’t regret it!
Amy Cripps.
We have been going to Mark’s classes for over a year now and I cannot recommend him enough. He is very knowledgeable, extremely patient with the dogs and very passionate about their wellbeing. Mark only uses positive reinforcement methods and his classes are great fun. Also the different needs of all dogs attending are always carefully considered. He always has help and advice for any problem, no matter how big or small. He has helped me so much with developing a very positive relationship with my boy, and helped us both grow in confidence. We particularly enjoy Mark’s scentwork classes, which are always carried out in an entertaining way with many imaginative and inventive ideas.
Kim Gowing.
3 weeks in with Mark doing 1:1 training with what started as our puppy chow chow, but quickly moved to include our 7 & 8 year old chows. We warned Mark that they are stubborn, but he has so nailed the breed and has helped us massively with all 3 when we didn’t think it was possible. He is so supportive and positive with his approach to both the dogs and us and I am looking forward to starting Bertie in the puppy training classes, alongside the 1:1s. With Mark’s help we actually feel like we may be able to properly train these 3 lazy dogs!
Lorraine Godfrey.
I have been having 121 scentwork sessions with my little havanese Bailey. I cannot recommend her enough, she is so passionate about scentwork, absolutely loves the dogs and is so encouraging. Bailey absolutely loves his visits. Do not hesitate if you have considered scentwork with your dogs, you will never look back and it is so much fun for you and your dog. Thankyou so much Sarah
Rebecca Goff
I attended a hoopers workshop. My dog is reactive and has health conditions. Mark was excellent. He was very accommodating to my dogs needs and we had a great time! We hope to attend some more classes/workshops in the future. Would highly recommend.
Chistine Cason
First time at this Amazing Scenting class for dogs. The ladies teaching the class were very friendly knowledgeable and experienced. I will be back for more with Molly our working cocker spaniel who loved it! She slept all afternoon!
Megan Latham
Me and my pup saw Sarah, Lorraine and Sue for a scent workshop and i am thrilled with the service received. Everyone and their dog had 1 on 1 support when needed, each trainer really paid attention to the dogs and easily identified personalities. My boy loved his scentwork and we hope to be back for more very soon!
Joss Haynes
Fantastic scent class, Mark is really knowledgeable and supportive. Lots of great ideas given across in a fun and informative way.
Sarah Hudson
We’ve been doing Scent work and just started Rally course Luna our choccy lab is really coming along with reacting with other dogs since our classes thanks to Mark and his excellent teaching style he makes it fun and it’s all about our furry family.
Nina Westcott Collins
Today we attended a Hoppers workshop
We felt welcomed from the moment we got out the car
The facilities where well thought out and Mark took our dogs needs into account when placing us at our station
We would recommend Mark and look forward to carrying on out training journey with him.
Chanel J
Mark has done wonders with our Korra. She’s a 2 year old whippet with Anxiety. Mark tends to adapt methods for each dog so that they each benefit from the lesson. We started to see a lot of improvement – at some point we were able to leave Korra alone for up to 3 hours which wasn’t never possible before. Would recommend reaching out to Mark. We’ve done general training as well as scent work – all brilliant.
Shane Swain
Would give 10 stars if I could! Mark is a great instructor… unique! Has changed my relationship with my dog Roscoe in so many ways. His classes are fun, informative and varied! Plus it’s usually raining! But still so enjoyable and constantly learn new things. Mark is generous with his knowledge and experience. Try a class you’ll love it!
Nikki Hill.
We recently started a course called Rally and it was new to us. We like Rally as it is a fun way to reinforce all the basic training and some of those skills you perhaps don’t do as much. It helps with loose lead walking too as the activities are done on the move or at little stations. The best part is learning new skills. Practising those new skills at home and seeing how amazingly clever Bruce is. Rally, like all Mark’s classes are small groups. Just being in the session in good for Bruce as he is around other dogs and learning to mind his own business. Reward based repetition training to help instill the behaviour.
Bruce has been training with SkellyWags since I got him as a pup. He will be two soon. We started with puppy class and then adolescent training.
Mark is a passionate dog trainer always striving to offer fun activities and the dogs absolutely love him. He loves dogs. Mark is always happy to give advice and support. He is patient to all the dogs’ different temperaments and caters for those temperaments in the classes.
Bruce is fully engaged in all the sessions we have done. He seems to enjoy it so much, especially scent sessions. It is a fantastic way to have fun and gives the ultimate enrichment to Bruce. He is always tired after a trip to SkellyWags field.
Also recommend scent work for Beginners class, it was lots of fun and something different for our pup to learn. Mark makes it exciting and fun. No need to be a professional sniffer dawg, it’s amazing how all the dogs in the class picked up idea no matter what the breed. It’s fun to continue the games ‘find it’ at home or on walks too. Mark provides lots of opportunities to attend scent sessions once the beginner course is complete.
Amy Edwards.
Mark is absolutely brilliant. He has taught me so much on how to work with my crazy spaniel. We might not go as often as we used to but we are always made to feel welcome. And Mark always puts the dogs first, which is how it should be!
Laura Chapman
Both me and my dog love going to marks classes, they are fun but you also get a lot out of them. Mark loves the dogs and caters to their individual needs, which is great especially if you do have a dog that needs extra consideration.
He does such a wide range of classes, there’s something for everyone, and he is always coming up with ideas for new things!
I would recommend to anyone who has a dog!
Louise Burford.
Narla and myself have been working with Mark for a couple of years now. Narla is reactive and needs her space. Mark always makes sure that she can be involved, whilst making sure she has the space and the confidence to be able to be involved.
I can’t thank Mark enough for everything he does for us both!
Would highly recommend all of his classes as they are fun for all involved and the dogs walk away happy.
Ryan Blake.
As someone with canicross experience, I was looking for a class that could fine tune my technique, challenge my dogs, and introduce us to more advanced skills. This class delivered on all fronts! Skellywags and Kim are a great fit for myself and my dogs, a great instructor team and a great group of runners.
What I Loved.
Tailored Coaching – The instructor Kim, and her instructor dog Jenson, quickly assessed both myself and my dogs Skye and Trevor, and provided personalised feedback to improve speed, handling, and efficiency.
Technical Trail Work – We tackled more complex terrains, including sharp turns, uneven ground, and hill sprints, we have even done night running with head torches, which really tested both my dog’s and my abilities.
Advanced Commands – Beyond the basics, we worked on commands for overtaking, pacing, and responding to distractions—super helpful for race situations. We also worked on Trevor’s natural instinct to track and hunt, as he’s a rescue and was believed to be a working dog. (Work still needed).
Pace Differences – Some pairs were faster than others, which is great for my fitness and endurance, the dogs loved the faster running
This class is ideal for canicross runners looking to push their limits and refine their teamwork with their dog. Whether you’re training for races or just want to improve your technique, or as simple as meeting new friends that have a common interest in dogs and health and fitness, it offers valuable insights and challenging trails. Highly recommended.
Ryan, Skye and Trevor
Nick Fairfax.
Superb dog training options ,we have had one to one sessions and joined a number of group classes all of which are tailored to support our large breed dog who is friendly but struggles in large busy environments. Mark has a natural ability to understand your dogs needs and has helped us understand what our boy needs. We love the variety of skills we all learn and this is so much more than I ever thought dog classes would be. Highly recommend giving it a go as it will bring a lot of happiness to you and your dog .
Chelsea Cox.
What can I say about Skellywags.
The easiest thing would be to list the worst things about Skellywags, as that list is drastically shorter. So here we go. When I first went to Mark I had 2 dogs. Now due too his lessons I have 5 dogs. I just couldn’t stop going so had to keep getting more dogs.
That is the end of the worst things about Skellywags.
Pippa Rhydderch.
Have been taking my dog to scentwork classes and have done a tracking workshop for approximately a year Mark and his team are very knowledgeable and I have learnt loads. The dogs wellbeing and safety always come first. I am so pleased to have found Skellywags dog training.
Sarah Smith.
We had a scent training session today, Mark was great, very knowledgeable and made it a lot of fun. I will definitely be doing more courses and would highly recommend Skellywags for all your training needs. Communication is easy and Mark is very quick to respond. Thank you.
Emma West.
We contacted Mark at SkellyWags not long after adopting our 16mth St Bernard x Mastiff rescue, Raven. She lacks social skills and is incredibly excitable around other dogs and often, life in general! 6 months on, she’s had a 1-2-1 session where we learnt a lot, mainly ‘find it’ & positive reinforcement. But especially, not to be so hard on ourselves! We were still building trust and security with Raven and that takes time!
Since then, we have attended talks on Behaviour and Reactivity organised by SkellyWags which have not only been incredibly informative, but we have met some wonderful, like-minded people! Raven attended her first class today – an introduction to scentwork! Mark created a safe space for Raven with barriers and explained to the others in the small group that Raven needed space. She coped incredibly well, often more interested in sniffing and finding things than what the other dogs were doing! By the end, she was much more relaxed. We’re so proud of her! We cannot thank Mark at SkellyWags enough! We know we have a long road ahead with Raven, but we also know that with help & guidance from Mark, she’s going to be even more amazing than she already is! We can’t wait to book her next session!
Jackie Lee.
Had my first scent workshop and I’m hooked. Learnt so much in a fun and safe environment. Mark made the lesson interesting and fun for the dogs. Tired dog sleeping by fire now. Can’t wait for the next scent course.
Tashalin Chong.
Really enjoyed the beginners scentwork course at the East Studdal hall, especially in the winter storms. Lovely, excellent trainers, lots of personal attention, extremely understanding and gave great advice for my nervous pup. Will definitely be attending more and feel really welcomed into the community.
Jame Hutchinson.
We have been training with our GSD for around 10 months with Mark. The knowledge passed on has been spot on and has really helped us. Mark is accepting of our dogs behaviour, especially now he has hit adolescence, and Mark adapts his training as necessary to allow our dog to still attend training sessions.
A very approachable and knowledgeable person, Mark is easy to get along with and always puts the dogs first.
Would highly recommend.
Nick Robinson.
I’ve just completed the beginner scent course in East Studdal with Spider, my 10 month old mini bull terrier. I have (possibly pipe) dreams that I will have a truffle hunting dog (I’m a mushroom hunter and run courses). I wasn’t over optimistic to start with, but with the fun and structured approach together with the amazing knowledge and expertise of the trainers I am now daring to dream a bit more. Spider absolutely loves it and gets super excited when we arrive. I’m definitely continuing and would highly recommend Skellywags.
Adam Stewart.
Had a wonderful experience! Max came away much more confident and I learnt a lot about helping him be his best. Have continued to go to SkellyWags any time we need an extra 1:1 or some advice.
Radka Hayes.
Last weekend we attended a canicross taster session at Betteshanger. As I enjoy spending time outside with my dog and I do a little bit of running myself, I thought why not try canicross. Not knowing much about this activity/sport, I was eager to find out what this is all about. Mark was great, he explained everything about the equipment and how to use it and what to expect from this session. He was very informative along the planned trail whilst we walked/run with our dogs. My dog Jasper and I thoroughly enjoyed it and we are looking forward to future sessions.
Matt Halliday.
We are so thrilled with the progress Crumble has made thanks to Mark at Skellywags! From the 1:1 sessions to the group puppy classes and Life Skills course, Mark’s training style has been a perfect fit for us. What really stood out was his commitment to positive reinforcement, which was something we felt very strongly about. It was so refreshing to find a trainer who doesn’t focus on making dogs ‘obedient’ in the traditional sense, but instead helps them build confidence and learn in a natural, stress-free way.
Mark’s approach respects the individuality of each dog, allowing Crumble to be himself while still learning important skills. His methods are fun, engaging, and all about rewarding good behavior, which meant Crumble was eager to learn without feeling pressured. Whether in private sessions or group classes, Mark’s calm and encouraging style made all the difference.
If you’re looking for a trainer who understands that dogs should still be dogs, while helping them develop great life skills, Mark at Skellywags is your guy! We couldn’t be happier with Crumbles progress.
Deborah Woolard.
Mark is an excellent positive trainer. I have a scared and reactive rescue, who is growing in confidence enormously thanks to the scent training classes!The needs of every dog in the class is taken into account and I honestly couldn’t recommend SkellyWags highly enough!
Hannah Duconge´
Mark is one in a million! His passion for dogs and their needs is admirable. We’ve been coming to Mark’s classes for over a year now and we wouldn’t go anywhere else. The dogs and their needs are always put first and we have learnt so much throughout our time at Skellywags. Thank you, Mark, for always creating a safe space for us humans and our amazing dogs!
C Jones.
We initally found SkellyWags by stumbing across a training session. Our dog was so nervous and reactive due to being a Covid puppy so sadly had very little interaction in early life. My partner joined the classes and since then our dog has really grown her trust in other people and its given her some activities that she clearly loves and that we can practice at home. Aside from the benefit to the dog Mark is a really friendly guy, clearly very passionate about dogs and training. Hes given us really great insight into the mind of our dog and helped us grow our relationship with our best friend. Would 100% recommend to anyone with a reactive dog as all classes are totally safe and everyone understands what its like. Would also recommend to anyone who wants to explore other activities with their dog other than my standard repertoire of tug of war and fetch.
Martin Golding.
Fantastic company. Helped with both one on one training and puppy classes. Great improvements. Would highly recommend.
Carolyn Nicholls.
Just completed 5 weeks of very enjoyable scent training with Mark for me and my dog Jack.
Through Mark’s understanding of each dog and lots of encouragement to me we seem to have achieved a lot and very much look forward to continuing to the next level.
I’d thoroughly recommend Mark as a very knowledgeable, engaging and fun trainer.
Caroline Saint.
Our labrador cross puppy Bentley has benefited from the puppy course and then the follow-on course enormously. It has been a very positive and fun experience for the family to learn how to guide Bentley in a fun and calm way without the need for adopting a dominating manner. He has responded to the lessons positively and we have all benefited from Mark’s expertise allowing Bentley to gain confidence around people and other dogs in a disciplined , responsible but also fun way!
Thank you Mark!
Esther Black.
I absolutely love taking my puppy GD Wilson to see Mark. Every week we learn something new and interesting things I’ve not always thought about but are so useful. Wilson loves Mark you can tell he’s a dog lover through and through!
He’s on hand throughout the week if you need any help advice or guidance.
During teething and the witching hour I’ve been sometimes close to tears but Marks been there with useful hints and tips and now at 10months old I have a massive puppy who I have control over and who I regularly get compliments for how well behaved and calm he is and that’s all thanks to the help support and encouragement I’ve had from Mark!
Katie Simmonds.
Thank you Mark for your help with Bruno , you have given us some great tips and guidance to work with.
Hayley Hutchinson.
We have just completed our 5 weeks of puppy training. As new dog owners, the quality of the training from Mark was brilliant.
He was able to show us the basics and work up to the essentials. Loose lead walking, Stop, Stay, Sit, Down and not only that he helped us to understand enrichment. Healthy choices for our puppies food, engaging toys & games.
He never tried to sell these products just gave direction to help broaden our pups world.
Mark works very hard to ensure you and your dog understand the tasks and how to practice & achieve them when you are home/out. He was always available between classes if we had questions too.
We have a very food driven pup so he took well to the training, but we credit Mark for our starting block & consistency of the coaching each week.
Zoe Stevens.
🌟AMAZING🌟 we had a 1-1 session for our reactive dog, mark made our dog (& us) feel completely at ease. We were given some great advice and support. 100% recommend for any training needs
Chris P.
Great small class training meaning everyone gets some good focus from the trainer tailoring the training according to my or my dog’s needs. Really enjoyable course, kept it fun for both the dog and handler. Focus was on real life skills that will be useful every day rather than show-off type tricks that have no practical application. I was extremely happy with this Course 😊😊 👍👍
Natalie Petit.
I had my first session with skellywags this week, Kim my Instructor was so lovely she was patient and kind and showed me exactly what to do, my dog did really well & we learnt the commands and basics for canicross which I knew very little about, I can’t wait to do my next session and meet more like minded dog owners who enjoy doing activities with their dogs.
Russ Bridges.
Great instructors and locations, this is the best and safest way to introduce your fury friends the the fun and rewarding world of Canicross. My boy loves the sessions up at Betteshanger Country Park.
Anna Mathers.
My little rescue dog and I absolutely love our canicross classes at Skellywags, and when we can’t go we really miss it. Such a fab team of instructors, who really go above and beyond in what they do. So welcoming for all abilities. It’s just about having fun with your dog and have made wonderful friends through Skellywags too, which is an extra benefit.
Carol Western.
I run with Skellywags canicross classes. Excellent fun, always reliable and excellent instructor.
Charlotte Weston.
Skellywags dog training has added so much to my experience as a new dog owner. We have learnt so much and more importantly had fun along the way. We attend several different types of classes through the year as we love them all. My husband loves cani walk with our dog who is very hyper but cani talk chills him right out and he happily walks along as part of the pack and when we get home is wonderfully relaxed and enjoys a snooze for most of the rest of the day. We have found there is an activity for every type of dog and their human.
A brilliantly inclusive and welcoming group with something for everyone and every age of dog.
Positive,Responsiveness, Value
Anne Burdon.
We took our 2 Jack Russell’s along to Mark’s scent work sessions. They are very different characters. Eric is pretty full on, always busy with no apparent off switch. Ernie has always lived a little in the shadows of his brother, lacking a little confidence and happy to do his own thing. Scent work has completely transformed them. Eric has become far less demanding. He no longer spends his evenings hurling his ball at us, shouting at us to play with him. Ernie is now so much more connected to us. To see him ask to engage with him has been so heartwarming. It’s as if we’ve found the key that’s unlocked his character. We all learnt so much in our sessions with Mark. They were always fun and informative, with a big emphasis on making sure that all the dogs were relaxed, happy and successful. The changes we saw in all the dogs, not just our own, was remarkable. Thank you Mark. You reminded us how good it feels to have fun with our boys! We’re both excited to continue our scent work sessions with you.
Kate Emans.
Me and my dog had no previous experience with scent work training but thought it might be a fun thing to try together. Googled local places nearby and found Mark from Skellywags. So glad we decided to give it a go as it is such fun and Mark is a really good trainer who obviously loves dogs and really knows his stuff. All the dogs (& owners) in our group have slightly different needs and mark recognises this and accommodates everybody so we learn in a relaxed environment. It has become something both me and my dog look forward to doing together and will be enrolling for more courses in the future.
Eleanor Coates.
A very big thanks to Mark at Skellywags for the amazing scent work sessions for our 5 month old collie, Socrates. Both him and us have had a wonderful time learning and we’re so excited to continue with the skill. Our boy was worried about the car and didn’t like going near it – by utilising the scent work we were able to get him comfortable around the car by doing searches and now our little man jumps in by himself. Mark was really patient and informative in the sessions and has a great sense of humour. It was really enjoyable to meet some likeminded doggy owners too! Might see you in one of your hoopers classes.
Karen Chalklin.
Brilliant couple of sessions with Skellywags on loose lead and recall and so much more! Mark really knows his stuff, thank you very much for all of your help.
Nicola Herriot.
We’ve Attended two puppy training classes with Mark so far and Mark is amazing, he’s transforming my beautiful excitable little pup into a friendly, calm, fantastic dog mainly by giving me the skills to deal and handle every situation.
Mark truly loves and has an affinity with all the pups and is the best trainer I’ve ever encountered by far. Thank you Mark.
Anthony Bailey.
We had a 1-2-1 Training session for our puppy Nelson, the training was great easy going, and explained really well, will differently going again.
Sally Saxby.
Mark is a very experienced and a fun trainer. My dog has just completed her first scent course and loved it. Its been all about the dog having fun and she most definitely has. We’ve learnt a lot, had a huge amount of fun along the way. Highly recommend!
Amelia Kirkham.
Attended a workshop on muzzle training and Mark was very knowledgeable, welcoming and non-judgemental. I felt reassured and empowered after the session, thanks again!
Russ Hitchman.
Great fun trainer, always puts the dogs well being first, our dogs love the scent work.
Kathy Bugden.
Great first session with Mark. Right from the start, we could see how the training would work. Mark took the trouble to explain the theory behind our 10 month old puppy’s behaviour and we felt that the advice had been thought through to fit the needs we had as owners as well as our puppy’s needs, for her breed and her personality. A week later and we have started to see results.
Sue Parry.
We highly recommend Skellywags. Having partaken in several of Mark’s dog training courses, including hoopers, scent work and life skills, we have learnt so much in the last couple of years. And in a fun and positive way. It is obvious that Mark absolutely loves dogs and they come first in every respect. This adoration is reciprocated as our dogs get so excited when we mention his name!
Attended one of Mark’s recall workshops last night. It was definitely money well spent. Already used some of the strategies taught and they really worked on our walk this morning. Even my husband was impressed at how promptly our dog returned to us after just the one command. Can’t recommend Mark highly enough.
Carol Hitchman.
I highly recommend taking one of the courses, after doing the bronze scent. Mark is an excellent trainer, sharing his knowledge of dog behaviour and teaching both the dogs and handlers with easy guidance in a really fun atmosphere. His love of dogs shines through in the lessons and it is lovely to see how much he cares about each dogs welfare. We loved it and are very much looking forward to the silver course. Thank you Mark!
Oliver Nunn.
We enrolled our Cocker Spaniel (Petra) on the Skellywags 6-week ‘Life Skills’ course, on the recommendation of a friend. As a rescue dog, Petra had some quite significant behaviour issues which we wanted help with.
Mark’s approach is practical, pragmatic, and real-world, and we have seen genuine improvement in some key areas already. Even though the course has finished, we now have some really helpful tools and methods to use in helping Petra to further adapt to family life.
We would thoroughly recommend Skellywags to anyone looking for help with their dog – and we ourselves intend to enrol Petra on another of Mark’s courses in the near future.
Miranda Reeves.
Highly recommend Mark. I have learnt more in one afternoon that have worked for my dog and the breed …..not a one size fits all !!!!! Unlike the training session of 6 weeks I attended last year.. …
Already within 24 hours feeling positive changes that I have put in place thanks to Mark knowing that not all dogs are the same …This has made me bond more with my dog …
Thank you so much … ❤️🐕❤️🥰..
Charly R.
Absolutely fantastic, highly recommend, for all disabilities and all breeds of dogs- so much fun, bonding with your dog and having fun together, mark goes above and beyond here at skellywags, this is the place to be for training.
Zoe Holmes.
Absolute game changer! I have a fairly reactive Border Terrier who has benefitted greatly from joining SkellyWags Canicross…it’s fun for both of us and gives him something to focus on, meeting and interacting with other dogs in what he now considers a safe environment. Would absolutely recommend to any dog owner…you don’t need to be an athlete, and you can absolutely canicross with a smaller dog! Highlight of our week! 10/10
Joanna Brophy.
We have been going to cannicross for nearly two years now with instructor Mark at Betteshanger and can honestly say me and my dog love it!
I was a bit nervous on our first day as I thought running tied to your dog was maybe not the wisest thing especially with a large dog! 😬 Was I going to get wrapped around a tree or fall over and be dragged across the fields or my dog would jump all over the other dogs in excitement, but it wasn’t like that at all!
Mark lent us the kit to begin with so we could choose which is best for our dogs and human and helps you build confidence using it and teaches different commands for your dog so that your not dragged across those fields!
Everyone made us feel welcome and respected that every dog needs their own space. When you run as a group all the dogs seem to follow each other and become a pack and it just seemed natural to run with your dog. The bond you get with your dog is amazing and there is nothing else like it.
Mark is passionate about the dogs and their welfare so we don’t run a marathon, we run at every dogs pace. We have regular stops and offer water to our dogs. Marks moto is ‘the dogs come first!’
So, if you are thinking of giving cannicross a go I highly recommend it, it is a lot of fun for you and your dog, big or small! Oh and there are a lot of muddy puddles to play in too!😁🐾🐶🏃♀️
Charlotte Spendley.
Mark at SkellyWags is so fantastic, I was very nervous to give Canicross a try as my 2 year old Labrador is a little over enthusiastic with other dogs and I have often found that at training groups we don’t really fit in. Mark was really reassuring and encouraging but without being pushy at all. At the first session he put us all at ease, and really looked after the group. His love for dogs is totally apparent. He definitely prefers the dogs to the humans 😂😂 It’s early days for us but I am already sure that Saturday morning Canicross is the highlight of Bodhi’s week. For those who are nervous or unsure, or don’t feel they have fitted in elsewhere, give Mark and Canicross a go, Mark goes above and beyond to make the experience positive, looking after you every step of the way.
Nicola Wignal.
SkellyWags dog training is second to none. Canicross Instructors are incredibly professional, knowledgeable and caring and encourage humans and dogs to be their best. I would fully recommend them.
Sue Ward.
I can’t recommend SkellyWags highly enough. It’s the perfect physical and mental exercise for humans, dogs, and most importantly the human/dog connection. Mark is exceptionally knowledgeable in dog training and his people-training skills are always shrouded in humour, so we don’t realise how knowledgeable we are becoming about dog psychology and physical health. Lucky dogs, lucky humans!
Heather Spurgeon.
So grateful to have found SkellyWags Canicross for my nervous, anxious rescue dog Velma. The change in her character has been mind blowing. Lovely friendly team and instructors, who focus on the bond between
you and your dog rather than breaking race records. SkellyWags also run a Canitalk class with the lovely Helen and Instructor Dog Archie which meant we could still continue at a more sedate pace after Velmas Cruciate surgery.
Mark was also my first point of call when a new puppy fell into my life, he worked with Velma and myself before Daphne’s arrival; setting us and our home, up for success. He’s always on hand for great advice as a registered IMDT trainer. He has a different way of looking at things that you haven’t even considered and breaks it down so it’s understandable and works for both dog and human.
We’ve also taken part in scent work workshops which both dogs picked up quickly under the guidance of Mark.
Check out the page and what is on offer. You won’t regret getting in touch.
Deborah Ward-Johnstone.
As someone who did not “want” to run, I only went cos a friend convinced me it would be fun. 5 years later, I’m still a regular! Great way to bond with my dog, run 5km without really feeling it and hang out with others who like dogs more than most people!We also did virtual scent training, was great for me and my dog.
Helen Woollven.
Mark is very knowledgeable and he is great with every dog. I have done a scent course and hope to do some more in the future. I regularly do Cannicross with a lovely bunch of like minded dog crazy people. Cannicross has helped my reactive dog develop in confidence and he now loves running with his Cannicross buddies. I would definitely recommend Mark and SkellyWags Dog Training.
Poppy Bittle.
Before I started canicross I couldn’t even run for a bus. But my brilliant instructors Kim and Jdog have helped enormously. I still may not be the best or quickest but its an activity both I and my dogs enjoy immensely ( even though I think they enjoy the treats they get at the end more). I’m currently taking part in caniwalk after a break and would thoroughly reccomend anyone doing this. We run/walk at Jeskyns in gravesend which is a wonderful place to go. My dog Dexter gets very excited when he sees his harness coming out.
Jane Mortimer.
Absolutely love our weekly session at Betteshanger Park with Mark.
You don’t need to be a runner to join, we have all abilities. It’s a fun way to meet people and their gorgeous dogs and get some exercise in.
There are taster sessions available when you can try using borrowed equipment.
Alex Ricketts.
I am so pleased I found Skellywags – we have done canicross with the group since they started – I’m not a runner and my dog isn’t your typical canicross type, but Skellywags take all that into account and make you feel so welcome. Mark has been very understanding of my dogs nervous reactive behaviour and has helped so much. Highly recommend canicross or any of the classes offered by Skellywags.
KB.
Mark is a knowledgeable and kind instructor who works with you and your dog to help you build a better bond with your four legged friend. I would 100% recommend him as an instructor for all things canine from Canicross to scent workshops – there really is something for everyone 🐾
Mandy Remy.
This was my first training with mark and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The sessions were fun and Nell was enthusiastic to learn new things. Mark has so much experience and has shown us ways to enhance our dogs daily life. I will definitely be signing up for more classes.
Nicola Mooney.
We attended the canicross session at Jeskyns today, for the first time. It was well organised and the group were welcoming. We were quickly supplied with equipment to borrow, and encouraged and guided all the way round. We had re-grouping breaks, and my dog seemed to really enjoy it. Good, muddy fun – we’ll definitely be returning!
Bradley Thomas.
Mark has such a refreshingly practical and friendly approach to dog training. Me and the pup have really enjoyed all 3 courses we’ve done and will definitely be doing some more with Mark and the skellywags team in future.
Di.
Mark has a real infinity and understanding of dogs, allowing your 🐶 to achieve, understand & behave in the most natural and fun way.
Have had dogs all my life and Mark teaches me how to have fun training and getting the best out of my dog, he trains us as much as the dogs!!
Really recommend.
Rebecca Heron.
Myself and my 1 yo labrador attended the 2 hour scentwork course. Mark makes you feel completely at ease and runs a great class. The information he gives you during the class helps with the understanding of the way your dog thinks. I have also had a 1on1 with Mark and my dog. Would highly recommend.
Belinda Mills.
We have just completed an excellent Life Skills course for puppies with Mark Skelly of SkellyWags.
For Mark, it’s all about the dogs, allowing our dogs to have fun whilst learning – but training the owners as well! Throughout the course Mark worked with owners individually and as a group, providing practical ideas and plenty of common sense training tips – and they work! Mark has a great personality and provided a great teaching environment, with a range of activities and enrichment ideas which I found particularly of interest and could see immediately the benefit such activities bring to our canine friends.
Thank you Mark – we will be back for more.
Stephen Ashdown.
Mark certainly has a way with dogs and, it has to be said, their owners too. Very enjoyable six week preliminary course which showed us some excellent ways of controlling our dogs, which initially seemed extremely unlikely as the dogs formed a scrum at the beginning of the first lesson.
After week six all was calm with dogs and owners alike. Recommended by one and all I’m sure.
David Brown.
Just completed the bronze scent course at SkellyWags. In every class there is always one comedian in the pack. Hugo was that one. At the end of the six weeks he was much more focused. Thanks Mark for your patience and enjoyable sessions. Looking forward to the Silver course next year. I would highly recommend Mark and SkellyWags. Every dog has different needs and Mark wants every dog to succeed.
Maria Griffiths.
Layla my swiss shepherd has reaction issues so I decided to try a six week sniffer training course. With Mark’s help we saw a great improvement over the weeks. She became more relaxed around other dogs and able to focus on the tasks set. Thank you Mark for all the advice you gave. Can’t wait to start the next course in January.
Teresa Clarke.
My two dogs and I very much enjoy Hoopers with Mark. It is a relaxed and fun experience and very good for keeping my high energy dogs focused and exercised. Highly recommend.
AJ Decon.
Where to start? Super impressed with Skellywags ethics. All dogs welcome at Canicross and Caniwalk regardless of history, all dogs to advance as individuals and must be minimum development ages, all to support your dog’s development mentally and physically.
Dogs and people are all welcoming and friendly, a really relaxing and enjoyable place to go.
I got in touch in Jan and was pleased to be told ‘would be great to have you both but not till the pupper is physically mature’ . We had our first taster on 8 Oct with a group of 6 different dogs and owners and not a single bark was heard. The dogs all settled and enjoyed their time together.
We are looking forward to joining again next week. The communal kit is well looked after, well fitted to yours and your dogs needs and importantly for some of us the is no pressure to be anything but comfortable.
Would totally recommend to everyone and their hounds.
Deanna Fernandez.
My miniature schnauzer puppy Marvin and I attended puppy classes in Old Romney and we both loved them! (My geriatric schnauzer also got an hour’s peace on a Saturday!) From lead work to recall it was all good fun and so useful.
The gift bag at the end of the course went down well with both dogs so thanks for that Mark – a lovely touch! We will certainly be booking in more classes and I’d highly recommend any of Mark’s courses. He really knows his stuff and everything is done in great spirits with no one feeling bad if their puppy/dog is the trouble maker that week! We will keep up the training practice until we’re back for our next course.
Heidi Smith.
Scent work class is the highlight of my dog’s week! To say he loves Mark is an understatement. Prince can be anxious around new people & dogs, but Mark always has the dogs’ welfare & happiness at the core of all classes, so their only focus is fun! We have taken part in socialisation sessions, life skills classes & now do weekly scent work sessions. Not only do we both have great fun every week, but we have learnt many new & fun things to do at home, which Prince loves & are invaluable to keep his brain occupied on rainy days, when a walk is not very inviting. Even when either Prince or I are struggling to learn a new skill, Mark is always encouraging & tells us to find the positives. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending any of Mark’s classes, or one to one sessions, as he is hands down the best dog trainer we have had the pleasure of attending classes with.
Lisa Knight.
All of the courses, workshops and classes I have attended with SkellyWags have been so useful for me, and great fun for my dogs. The small group recall workshop last weekend was so well planned and resourced. Mark takes time to put everyone at ease, and tailors his advice to the individuals. He makes it fun as well as informative, and helps us understand from a dog’s eye view!
Liz Clarke.
I have 3 dogs and all of them have been on at least one of the different courses Mark runs. They all have different issues and with each of them Mark came up with a variety of solutions to try to see what works best. The dogs all love going and get very excited, my next task is to learn how to calm them down when they realise they’re going to training. I would thoroughly recommend Mark and his courses he has something for everyone but only if you want to make your dogs life enjoyable and enriched.
Sarah R.
Always puts dogs welfare and happiness first. Enthusiastic and always happy to explain anything.
Has helped give me tools to improve my anxious pups life and give her confidence in new situations
One of the very few people I would trust with my girl.
Kim G.
I can’t thank Mark enough for the scent training he runs for beginners, we have a 4 yr old rescue rough haired dachshund called India, she is a fun and full of energy little bundle of noise and excitement. We tried regular training techniques which we have had success with in the past but failed at each step. SkellyWags begun their scent training at our Parish Community Centre in East Studdal earlier in the year and it was full!! So when the second group begun we signed up, the benefits for India have been quite wonderful for us as owners, using the basic search tools Mark teaches means that India spends more time stimulated and so becomes calmer and more focused. She loves going to class, she settles quickly and relaxes between searches because she is focused.
Would I recommend trying out some training with SkellyWags?? YES without hesitation, Mark teaches in a way that just makes sense and the dogs of all abilities get something from the sessions that is visible. India will continue to join in the sessions because she loves it and that’s the very best review I can give.
Clive Whitworth.
What a friendly Gentleman to speak with, I have spoken with Mark via the phone today and straight away you know he is an open personality, this is backed up by his ability to pass on the knowledge that he possesses about moving forward in a positive manner with any issues you and your Dog may be having. Email or call him you maybe surprised how easily your problem can be resolved.
Susan Russel.
An excellent dog trainer who is totally centred on what’s best for the dog. Courses are individually crafted for the dogs present and questions are answered in a straightforward manner. I have tried many local dog trainers and find Mark’s style of teaching the best by far.
Alyson Shaw
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Value
Thoroughly enjoyed the training, done with humour and fun. Very personal, as only a few dogs and owners in the group, so had a lot of Mark’s attention. Trains the owners as well as the dogs!! My pup loved it (and Mark). Highly recommended. I have done both the puppy training and a workshop, one of the things that impressed me was how the training was adapted and changed to suit the dogs in the group.
Loup Trader
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Reliability, Responsiveness, Value
Mark’s classes are fun and informative. The recall workshop was great, we use the games we learnt everyday on our walks and they really work!
He puts the dogs first which is important to me. He is knowledgeable and explains things clearly but also makes the classes fun and interesting. Totally recommend!
Felicity Stevens
After attending various zoom sessions and field training, I can not recommend highly enough. Both versions it’s clear Mark has a great understanding of individual dogs and owners needs, I have seen wonderful results with Benson. The knowledge Mark has and the support he gives is second to none with added bonus of exercise sessions, canicross and health and safety talks, one stop shop for taking care of our fur babies
Julie Barry
Positive: Professionalism, Reliability, Responsiveness
I have done a scent course and some workshops with Mark. He’s such a knowledgeable trainer, friendly and his love of dogs is immediately apparent. He has a natural affinity with them which is great to see in a trainer.
Kim Todd
Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Reliability, Responsiveness, Value
SkellyWAGs does everything dog , from canicross to hoopers to 1 to 1 training to puppy classes and workshops and scent work . It is easy to see Mark has a way with dogs , my collies adore him ..and I trust their judgement . He is equally good at teaching his positive reinforcement methods to the humans and is friendly and approachable. Interesting and fun classes .
Sarah Ryall
Extremely accomodating to my human anxious pups needs. Mark has an incredible understanding and ability to connect with all dogs and it is clear this is his absolute passion. There is an incredible range of activities and enrichment ideas, truly something for every dog. I feel like we’ve only just begun our journey with SkellyWags. There is very few people I trust with my girl but Mark is one of them
Michaela Baker
Myself and my puppy have taken part in 2 classes with Skellywags and I cannot recommend Mark higly enough! Classes are always upbeat and fun with a lot of laughs along the way. Mark is excellent at teaching owners but keeping dogs focused and entertained at the same time! Mark has helped mould my puppy into a beautiful young dog 🐶 Thank you so much again, from myself and Chase the bulldozer!
Caroline Locking
Mark is a great trainer. My little rescue dog was very nervous initially but she’s now a very confident little girl thanks to this course. My only problem was that she liked Mark more than me.
Sue Parry
I recently completed and enjoyed the life skills course with my now 8 month old cockapoo, Sophie. Thanks to Mark, I have learnt several new strategies that actually work, including ways to walk Sophie beside me rather than her pull ahead like a steam train. Sophie loves her classes and gets excited when we go. All the training is positive and useful as well as effective. A great way to end up with a well behaved pooch! Highly recommended. Will definitely continue with Skellywags. Thank you Mark.
Beth Jones
I have been running canicross with SkellyWags for the last 3 years. Amazing group with great instructors always focussed on the safety and development of the dogs and the humans.
I introduced a second dog last year which brought new challenges but instructor Kim was brilliant in helping me to control the two.
SkellyWags is a real community and the dogs and I have made some amazing new friends as a result. I would highly recommend the group and if you’re not sure, have a chat with Mark – super accommodating in finding what works for you and your pups.