SkellyWags Dog Training Kent

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

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 Despite some very negative past experiences with other dog trainers using outdated techniques, Badger and I have worked really hard on positively building his confidence and optimism and over the past two years, Badger has made huge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!

Definitely recommend scentwork 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 too

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!!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.