Dog Academy

Working farm with a 4yo whippet that had just found out how good young lamb tastes. She had killed 3 and Dog Academy was her last chance or she would be visiting the pearly gates. After 5 1-to-1 sessions with Mark and some homework she is back to herself and I feel confident with her having free run of the farm again. Thanks Dog Academy.

Very well organised puppy classes - my Springer Spaniel came to us at 4 months old, he had no recall what so ever and Dog Academy was recommended to me as they have several puppy and adult classes. throughout Saturday's - the only day we could make. It was such a quick result with Boris (and me) and only took a couple of sessions to get him listening to various commands. I could even let him off the lead after approx. 6 sessions which was a tremendous result for him.

I am a Gundog Trainer and have been working at the Dog Academy by invitation. Currently I run an intro to Gundog training with a small weekly group. As I arrive at the ground there is a class just finishing and everyone is smiling and relaxed. The dogs are clearly having fun while learning and the instructors have a great rapore with the handlers. I have known the owner and head trainer, Mark Tasker, for many years and have great respect for his training methods and teaching skills. Many people have asked me to recommend a pet dog trainer and I am always happy to direct them to the Academy.

I have trained with Mark and his team since I first got my young spaniel. He has managed our development. I can not fault his approachable, friendly, motivational teaching style. We have both learnt together at the relevant rate for us and look forward to our weekly sessions.

I recommend Dog Academy on a regular basis. I have experienced other dog trainers and can say you'll not find a better trainer in the Home Counties. It's a joy and a please to train under his guidance. Excellent in every area.

Dog Academy had been recommended to me by many of my dog owner friends and as their dogs are amazingly well behaved I had to give it a go, as I have an energetic German Shepherd Pup.

The thing I was told when I asked how they train the dogs is "We train you, you train the dog", this is great as you can continue the training at home and it can be done by the whole family.
The training sessions are informal and friendly, with all the focus being on getting whats best for the dogs.
I have only attended 4 sessions so far and I can see a remarkable difference in my pup, the main being he know's his name.
As well as this, to have 4.5 month old pup that will sit and lay on command, as well as not eat everything he comes across, makes him much easier to manage.

As well as the training they have a good range of dog accessories and toys for sale, I buy my dog food from Dog Academy too. Great prices!

I can't recommend Mark and the team at Dog Academy highly enough.

Ok I got a Husky mix German Shepard for my first ever dog probably not the best choice but as the say the dog chooses you.
When I went for the puppy classes I didn't know what to expect as I never had a dog before, but I didn't want Charlie (my dog) to be train by Mark, but I wanted to be train how to teach Charlie, this is what Mark did for me he gave me the confidence to teach Charlie how to behave and respond to commands, with the bonus for Mark using Charlie to teach an aggressive dog avoidance at the same time teaching Charlie how to stay clam.
thank you Mark and Team
P.S I think you still owe me 1 more lesson ;-)

We took Roly, our Cocker Spaniel, to Mark's Saturday morning classes in Digswell. Roly loved going there, he couldn't wait to get out of the car, and Mark and his assistant trainers always made the classes fun for humans too. Class sizes were kept to a reasonable size and there was always someone on hand to give dogs individual attention when it was needed. The methods used were effective and Roly quickly learn basic obedience and was soon working off-lead. Highly recommended!
Kevin Wright, Burnham Green

Started training with Maisey my French bulldog as soon as she was old enough. Puppy classes and agility.
At dog academy they are excellent at spotting your or your dogs strengths and weaknesses and tailor your training to suite.
You enjoy your dog so much more when you are able to control them, walks are a real pleasure and training is great.
I'm so pleased with how far Maisey and I have come and would highly recommend the training.

We first went to Dog Academy 2 years ago as new dog owners and since then we've been back with our second dog and taken part in agility classes. Mark and the team recognise that each dog is different and can adapt their training approaches accordingly. They train the owners at the same time without you even being aware of it so you can get the most out of your dog all the time. We liked the fact children are welcome at classes and the fact the classes are outside so the dogs are taught commands in more realistic surroundings than inside a village hall for example. Dog Academy also supply food, equipment and sundries so despite having finished training classes we continue to get our dog food through Mark as he price matches and delivers to our house for free.

Mark and Julie at the dog academy were so helpful and supportive when I attended with my puppy Hartley, a very strong minded border collie. They gave me the confidence to handle him and he responded so well to training. Any questions or problems I had were soon resolved with their guidance . I would highly recommend thiis friendly, welcoming dog training school.

Puppies classes on a Saturday helped me and my lab hugely, with all the help from mark and Julie I have now got a very obedient well behaved Labrador, I would highly recommend these classes to anyone with a new puppy, as you learn new things as well as your dog and is great fun for both of you!

I am so glad I started lessons with the Dog Academy. I have a lovely Doberman but we were struggling on our walks when we came into contact with other dogs.
With lots of patience, guidance and support from Julia and Kelsey (the trainers at the Dog Academy) my dog is very happy now and it all comes down to being able to communicate with her, understand her worries and resetting her perception that it is not a bad situation so she can herself better handle situations, which in-turn enables me to control her with confidence as I can put everything I have learnt into practise.
I would recommend anyone thinking of getting a dog (big or little) to make the commitment to attend the course/s it will change everything for the better….it’s as much training for the owner as it is the dog.
Thank you Julia and Dog Academy

Puppy training on a Saturday afternoon has been really useful for us and our puppy Daisy! Daisy is our first dog, before getting her I had a fear of dogs so I wanted the sessions to help both me and her. The sessions have been fantastic, me and my husband didn't know what to expect and are really surprised and pleased with how much both us and Daisy have learnt in only a few sessions. The group is really friendly and children are welcome to join in too. We look forward to the classes each week. Definitely recommend these classes :-)

Bentley is a very large, very bouncy and very playful boy! He was quite the handful but Mark has helped us train him into an obedient boy! Not only will your pooch learn how to be a good dog, along with the basics, they also throw in some fun agility training now and then too. If you are looking for a lovely group of people and a nice setting to train the canine member of your family then look no further.

We attend puppy training with our first Labrador. Being first time owners the classes have been invaluable and we are on our way to having a lovely trained dog. Mark and the team are great always help out with any questions would definitely recommend.

Having trained my dogs at other training clubs over the years, I found I was really struggling with my current GSD at these other clubs. I socialised her as soon as I could and was taking her to training 2/3 times a week. Her basic obedience was good, but she started to bark at other dogs and get so over excited that I couldn't control her properly. I was so upset, but a friend recommended Dog Academy and from day one my dog was like putty in the trainers hands. I could have given up, but they didn't. They helped and encouraged me all the way and gave me techniques to use at home that were working. The classes were hard work, but fun, but an untrained dog is not. I can't thank them enough and my GSD now has great walks off the lead, where we can both enjoy the results of her and my training.

We took our Standard Poodle puppy through the classes from Puppy to Adults. Very good fun classes which we all looked forward to. The result is we now have a lovely sociable and obidient dog who is a pleasure to be with. Thank you to Mark and the team. Definitely recommended.

I'm now on my second puppy at Dog Academy. I took my cocker puppy to Dog Academy (he's 1 year old now). It only took two blocks of lessons to get him to the level of training that I wanted. Mark, Julie and Kelsey are very knowledgeable and always happy to help out with any individual issues you may have with your pup. I am now on my second cocker puppy and it's going really well.

I would recommend Dog Academy to anyone.

Solid, consistent, professional and fun for both dog and there humans. From puppies to dogs with problems these guys are great and recommended by Rescue Centers and Dog Wardens.

The Dog Academy training was recommended to me and I have been attending puppy training and fun agility with my new puppy over the last 6 months. Mark and Julie's knowledge and skill are shared with a wonderful mix of professionalism and fun. As a first time dog owner I have learned a great deal, felt reassured when in doubt and have a puppy that is stimulated and becoming obedient and well trained. I can't thank Mark and Julie enough and would thoroughly recommend them to any dog owner. Sue Douglas

Fantastic trainer who is very patient and knowledgeable. Great staff also who all know their stuff. I wouldn't go anywhere else now I've found Dog Academy!

brilliant training and trainers! i would definitely recommend Dog Acadamy

I brought my two year old staff to mark just after Dog Academy started she was not a very friendly with other dogs not vicious but protective, fine with people. He was brilliant. Brought her through Good Citizens Awards, recall, agility, searching working trials, twenty minutes down stay and more but most important being with other dog and training me who needed it the most. Eight years on she is still great loves to work and has given me such much fun. Now starting again with my ten month old puppy.

dog academy training classes were strongly recommended to me by a friend for my challenging german shepherd bitch. i found them invaluable,everything she threw at me the staff had an answer for and it worked. it was also great fun and we both thoroughly enjoyed the classes . i would also strongly recommend dog academy they are second to none . julie ells

This training has been awesome for both me and my enthusiastic spaniel. The sessions have helped us both build confidence in different situations learn to communicate more effectively. The other dog owners at the park have noticed the improvement. All this in a really fun environment.

Brilliant group of trainers also give advise over the phone when needed.
Lovely group of people that go with their dogs too.

Great classes which are fun for me and my dog. The trainers have really helped me understand my dog's behaviour and continue to offer advise on a variety of issues.

Professional, and friendly. Well structured classes that work. Instructors able to advise on all sorts of issues. Not just obedience...Nutrition, behaviour, play, health. My dog loves her classes, and so do I. Good range of dog accessories and toys for sale at competitive prices. I buy my dog food from Dog Acadamy too. Great prices!