Acorn Dog Training Club

Acorn Dog Training Club We are a fun, friendly club and welcome new members (and their dogs too!) I am a dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement wherever possible.

Acorn Dog Training Club offers classes for puppies and dogs of all ages
We run the Kennel Club Good Citizen Awards offering classes for Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels. I run a variety of different classes and courses; including puppy courses through to advanced obedience and scent work uk. I am known for my therapy dog work and have even been deemed a local hero by the national lottery. I also of

fer 1-1 training at your home
or a location of your choice. I olso offer dog training at Kembroke Kennels whilst you're away. So whatever your doggy need, I'm sure to be able to help.

I absolutely love this walk around newbourme, finishing at the pub for a nice cup of tea and a snack.... The dogs had a ...
08/03/2024

I absolutely love this walk around newbourme, finishing at the pub for a nice cup of tea and a snack.... The dogs had a lovely time catching up with their friend too

I'm excited to announce that from April the training at Kembroke Kennels and Cattery will be taking place with Zoe Witmo...
07/03/2024

I'm excited to announce that from April the training at Kembroke Kennels and Cattery will be taking place with Zoe Witmore. Zoe is an experienced trainer who already helps run the fun agility with the club. She has worked at the kennels for many years and has a wealth of knowledge. This will allow me to offer more group training as i'm currently running at nearly full capacity.... more on that to follow soon

06/03/2024

I have taken this from another group as was too good not to share

Everyone who is thinking of getting dogs should read this because you need to understand this reality:

***I am a 21st century dog.***
-I'm a Malinois.
Overskilled among dogs, I excel in all disciplines and I'm always ready to work: I NEED to work.
But nowadays I get asked to chill on the couch all day everyday.

-I am an Akita Inu.
My ancestors were selected for dog fighting.
Today I get asked to be tolerant and I get scolded for my reactivity when another approaches me.

-I am a Beagle.
When I chase my prey, I raise my voice so the hunters could follow.
Today they put an electric collar on me to shut up, and you make me come back to you - no running - with a snap of your fingers.

-I am a Yorkshire Terrier.
I was a terrifying rat hunter in English mines.
Today they think I can't use my legs and they always hold me in their arms.

-I'm a Labrador Retriever.
My vision of happiness is a dive into a pond to bring back the duck he shot to my master.
Today you forget I'm a walking, running, swimming dog; as a result I'm fat, made to stay indoors, and to babysit.

-I am a Jack Russell.
I can take on a fox, a mean badger, and a rat bigger than me in his den.
Today I get scolded for my character and high energy, and forced to turn into a quiet living room dog.

-I am a Siberian Husky.
Experienced the great, wide open spaces of Northern Europe, where I could drag sleds for long distances at impressive speeds.
Today I only have the walls of the house or small garden as a horizon, and the holes I dig in the ground just to release energy and frustration, trying to stay sane.

-I am a border collie
I was made to work hours a day in partnershipwith my master, and I am an unmistakable artist of working with the herd.
Today they are mad at me because, for lack of sheep, I try to check bikes, cars, children in the house and everything in motion.

I am ...
I am a 21st century dog.
I'm pretty, I'm alert, I'm obedient, I stay in a bag...but I'm also an individual who, from centuries of training, needs to express my instincts, and I am *not* suited for the sedentary life you'd want me to lead.
Spending eight hours a day alone in the house or in the garden - with no work and no one to play or run with, seeing you for a short time in the evening when you get home, and only getting a small toilet walk will make me deeply unhappy.
I'll express it by barking all day, turning your yard into a minefield, doing my needs indoors, being unmanageable the rare times I'll find myself outside, and sometimes spending my days sunk, sad, lonely, and depressed, on my pillow.
You may think that I should be happy to be able to enjoy all this comfort while you go to work, but actually I’ll be exhausted and frustrated, because this is absolutely NOT what I'm meant to do, or what I need to be doing.
If you love me, if you've always dreamed of me, if my beautiful blue eyes or my athletic look make you want me, but you can't give me a real dog's life, a life that's really worth living according to my breed, and if you can't offer me the job that my genes are asking, DO NOT buy or adopt me!
If you like the way I look but aren't willing to accept my temperament, gifts, and traits derived from long genetic selection, and you think you can change them with only your good will, then DO NOT BUY OR ADOPT ME.
I’m a dog from the 21st century, yes, but deep inside me, the one who fought, the one who hunted, the one who pulled sleds, the one who guided and protected a herd still lives within.
So think **very** carefully before you choose your dog. And think about getting two, rather than one, so I won't be so very lonely waiting for you all day. Eight or ten hours is just a workday to you, but it's an eternity for me to be alone.

06/03/2024

I have taken this from another group as was too good not to share......

Everyone who is thinking of getting dogs should read this because you need to understand this reality:

***I am a 21st century dog.***
-I'm a Malinois.
Overskilled among dogs, I excel in all disciplines and I'm always ready to work: I NEED to work.
But nowadays I get asked to chill on the couch all day everyday.

-I am an Akita Inu.
My ancestors were selected for dog fighting.
Today I get asked to be tolerant and I get scolded for my reactivity when another approaches me.

-I am a Beagle.
When I chase my prey, I raise my voice so the hunters could follow.
Today they put an electric collar on me to shut up, and you make me come back to you - no running - with a snap of your fingers.

-I am a Yorkshire Terrier.
I was a terrifying rat hunter in English mines.
Today they think I can't use my legs and they always hold me in their arms.

-I'm a Labrador Retriever.
My vision of happiness is a dive into a pond to bring back the duck he shot to my master.
Today you forget I'm a walking, running, swimming dog; as a result I'm fat, made to stay indoors, and to babysit.

-I am a Jack Russell.
I can take on a fox, a mean badger, and a rat bigger than me in his den.
Today I get scolded for my character and high energy, and forced to turn into a quiet living room dog.

-I am a Siberian Husky.
Experienced the great, wide open spaces of Northern Europe, where I could drag sleds for long distances at impressive speeds.
Today I only have the walls of the house or small garden as a horizon, and the holes I dig in the ground just to release energy and frustration, trying to stay sane.

-I am a border collie
I was made to work hours a day in partnershipwith my master, and I am an unmistakable artist of working with the herd.
Today they are mad at me because, for lack of sheep, I try to check bikes, cars, children in the house and everything in motion.

I am ...
I am a 21st century dog.
I'm pretty, I'm alert, I'm obedient, I stay in a bag...but I'm also an individual who, from centuries of training, needs to express my instincts, and I am *not* suited for the sedentary life you'd want me to lead.
Spending eight hours a day alone in the house or in the garden - with no work and no one to play or run with, seeing you for a short time in the evening when you get home, and only getting a small toilet walk will make me deeply unhappy.
I'll express it by barking all day, turning your yard into a minefield, doing my needs indoors, being unmanageable the rare times I'll find myself outside, and sometimes spending my days sunk, sad, lonely, and depressed, on my pillow.
You may think that I should be happy to be able to enjoy all this comfort while you go to work, but actually I’ll be exhausted and frustrated, because this is absolutely NOT what I'm meant to do, or what I need to be doing.
If you love me, if you've always dreamed of me, if my beautiful blue eyes or my athletic look make you want me, but you can't give me a real dog's life, a life that's really worth living according to my breed, and if you can't offer me the job that my genes are asking, DO NOT buy or adopt me!
If you like the way I look but aren't willing to accept my temperament, gifts, and traits derived from long genetic selection, and you think you can change them with only your good will, then DO NOT BUY OR ADOPT ME.
I’m a dog from the 21st century, yes, but deep inside me, the one who fought, the one who hunted, the one who pulled sleds, the one who guided and protected a herd still lives within.
So think **very** carefully before you choose your dog. And think about getting two, rather than one, so I won't be so very lonely waiting for you all day. Eight or ten hours is just a workday to you, but it's an eternity for me to be alone.

03/03/2024

Gotta love a bit of slow mo

Next puppy courses available to book now, contact for more information on acorndogclub@gmail.com
29/02/2024

Next puppy courses available to book now, contact for more information on [email protected]

A great first session on another intro to scent work course... The first one with a couple of non members!
26/02/2024

A great first session on another intro to scent work course... The first one with a couple of non members!

Photos of clever dogs and owners who received their good citizen awards last week
26/02/2024

Photos of clever dogs and owners who received their good citizen awards last week

A nice walk over Needham lakes today. A great place to take young puppies to see and meet lots of people and dogs (just ...
25/02/2024

A nice walk over Needham lakes today. A great place to take young puppies to see and meet lots of people and dogs (just remember to keep them on the lead around the birds)

Yesterday we said goodbye to the foundation course puppies. A few are staying on to do our improver course so we look fo...
22/02/2024

Yesterday we said goodbye to the foundation course puppies. A few are staying on to do our improver course so we look forward to seeing them continue to grow in their learning and development

Handouts for the last puppy course already to hand out 😀
21/02/2024

Handouts for the last puppy course already to hand out 😀

More good citizen handouts for today 😄😄😄😄
21/02/2024

More good citizen handouts for today 😄😄😄😄

20/02/2024

Little Belle smashed the final course on the progressive fun agility course. Lots of fun had by all. Back to an intro course starting next week 😄😄😄

Certificates all ready to be handed out today for those that passed their good citizen schemes at the weekend 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
19/02/2024

Certificates all ready to be handed out today for those that passed their good citizen schemes at the weekend 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Despite the early start and horrid weather, the acorn scent members did the club proud again. With all 3 dogs and handle...
18/02/2024

Despite the early start and horrid weather, the acorn scent members did the club proud again. With all 3 dogs and handlers qualifying and we even managed a 1st and 4th place too.

17/02/2024

Its been a long day running 4 kennel club good citizen tests today - 2 bronze and 2 silver and Im delighted to say that all 10 dogs passed their bronze and 10 dogs out of 12 passed their silver. A huge congratulations to all members who took part, it's never easy as nerves always come in to play which the dogs pick up on. But everything is a learning experience and time spent with your dog is never wasted!! Now time to rest before heading off bright and early in the morning for a scent work competition for myself and a couple of members from the club.

Another win for team acorn in scent work UK today.... Huge congratulations to Marie and Maisie , very well deserved
16/02/2024

Another win for team acorn in scent work UK today.... Huge congratulations to Marie and Maisie , very well deserved

15/02/2024

EDITED - SPACE NOW TAKEN BUT A ONE OFF NEXT THURSDAY (22ND FEB) IS AVAILABLE WITH FOLLOW ON SESSIONS FROM THE 14TH MARCH SO PLEASE STILL CONTACT IF YOU WOULD LIKE SOME TRAINING

Due to a cancellation I have space in my puppy playschool at Kembroke kennels (ip10 0bu) from next week. Dates are flexible depending on availability and you can sign up for 1 off sessions for £25 or 5 for £90. With a maximum of only 3 pups each week this a great way to train young dogs (upto 24 months old) around a couple of other dogs and I say it's somewhere between a 1-1 session and the bigger courses. Each week we work on whatever suits the dogs that are present. This may include recall, walking, games and general obedience and attention. Please contact [email protected] for more information or to book

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Tunstall
Woodbridge
IP122JB

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+447725888297

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Videos

Gotta love a bit of slow mo

Little Belle smashed the final course on the progressive fun agility course. Lots of fun had by all. Back to an intro course starting next week 😄😄😄

EDITED - SPACE NOW TAKEN BUT A ONE OFF NEXT THURSDAY (22ND FEB) IS AVAILABLE WITH FOLLOW ON SESSIONS FROM THE 14TH MARCH SO PLEASE STILL CONTACT IF YOU WOULD LIKE SOME TRAINING Due to a cancellation I have space in my puppy playschool at Kembroke kennels (ip10 0bu) from next week. Dates are flexible depending on availability and you can sign up for 1 off sessions for £25 or 5 for £90. With a maximum of only 3 pups each week this a great way to train young dogs (upto 24 months old) around a couple of other dogs and I say it's somewhere between a 1-1 session and the bigger courses. Each week we work on whatever suits the dogs that are present. This may include recall, walking, games and general obedience and attention. Please contact [email protected] for more information or to book

One of last week's advanced classes practising their stop command. They were challenged to stop 'in the box's here's Palfrey showing an excellent example

A snippet from today's walk with Wren. As you can see it's pretty boring. I'm not calling her every 5 minutes, I'm not telling her what to do every step of the way. What I am doing is interacting with her when she makes good choices. That might be checking in with her or telling her she's correct when she ignores the dog that enters the field (around 1.25). This is what I want a walk to look like when the dog is an adult. So as a puppy we did lots of interactive games, lots of reinforcement for coming back to me without being asked and lots of helping her make the right decision. So as a puppy if she saw a dog we would have probably decided to play with a ball at that point or play some find it games with the treats. It's all about shaping the dog to make the decisions you want when they are older so spend the time and put in the hard work when they are young so you can sit back and relax and enjoy them when they are older. Ps that doesn't mean all our time spent together has this level of little interaction... We do many other activities such as scent work and obedience work. Walks such as these are just part of our life together. And say if I went to a walk where there were lots of dogs and people I would up my level of engagement with her to match the level of distractions so she still chooses to engage with me

Can you believe these are just puppies? Learning the importance of stay is so vital for dogs so we introduce it nice and young and these puppies are just smashing it 😃😃😃 Contact me for more information on puppy training options available

Sidney is in for some training whilst his owners are away and he's staying at Kembroke Kennels and Cattery . He's very young and finds the world super exciting so can pull a lot which is what we've been working on. Today we even managed a walk down the track which in general he walked beautifully for 🥰

A few dogs couldn't attend this week for the puppy improver course so I found the time to film some of the activities we do, including loose lead walking through dogs, off lead around dogs and recall through distractions. All puppies making excellent progress

Puppy playschool, learning the beginnings of a stay command

Acorn dogs having a break from training

Some of the dogs from today's agility. Learning about different turns... Many of the handlers brains hurt leaving the session!!!

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About Us

We run classes for Puppies, through to Advanced Obedience and Tricks Training awards.​

Our training methods are based on motivation and reward. Our aim is to help you to train your dog to become a sociable and well-mannered pet, that is a pleasure to own.

Acorn Dog Training is a Kennel Club Listed Club; offering the opportunity to train for the Kennel Club Good Citizen Awards, which is a national pet dog training scheme.

​​​In addition to regular weekly classes, the club hosts training days run by visiting instructors. These have included Working Trials; Rally; Heel work to Music; Agility training; Scent and Competitive Obedience Courses.