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About Us
Here at MDC we are not just here for your training classes, but your whole journey with your dog companion.
Our Story
Welcome to Middlesbrough Dog Club, where wagging tails and friendly faces come together! Whether you're a first-time dog owner or a seasoned pro, our club is the perfect place to bond with your four-legged friend while meeting like-minded dog lovers.
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Founded right here in Middlesbrough over 60 years ago, we’re a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation dedicated to building a fun, supportive community for dogs and their humans alike. We honour our roots but have our sights set on an exciting future filled with tail-wagging adventures.
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When you join us, you’re not just signing up for training classes—you’re becoming a member of a vibrant community. From group dog walks and interactive workshops to social events and, of course, training sessions, there’s always something happening for you and your dog to enjoy. Oh, and did we mention? All dogs are welcome, no matter their breed, size, or age!
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We’d love to meet you and your furry friend. Join us today and be part of the paw-some fun!
Meet The Team
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than they love themselves.”
My journey with dogs began at the age of 10 when my father and I brought home Tara, our German Shepherd. From that moment, my passion for animals has continued to grow.
I currently serve as Chairman and Assistant Dog Trainer at Middlesbrough Dog Club, where I have been actively involved for over a decade. My journey with the club began in the Puppy Foundation class with my beloved Beagle, Lola. Like many others, I initially joined to build a strong foundation with my dog and develop the skills needed for a rewarding future together. However, what started as a goal soon became a deep passion for training and canine behaviour.
Over the years, I have become deeply immersed in Competitive Obedience, achieving significant success in the sport. One of my proudest achievements was being selected for Crufts in 2017 with my first Beagle.
Today, I share my home with four wonderful dogs, two Border Collies, a Beagle, and a Miniature Dachshund, each of whom continues to inspire my dedication to training and the incredible bond between humans and their dogs.
Rob - Chair & Assistant Trainer
My intro to dog training, began visiting a friend who had a small cross breed collie, she said to the dog go bring me my ciggies and to my amazement the dog brought them to her, next instruction was go get my matches! I was enthralled and said how did you do that she introduced me to a training club and the rest is history.
My first dog came from the local recue kennels wow that was an education he wrecked my house before I knew about cages and motivation.
Training has changed such much over the years for the better, and I have changed with it.
The first time I attended Crufts as a spectator and saw all the amazing dogs working, I decided then that I wanted to get there one day! Well eventually I did but it took me many years to achieve my dream.
I started in exemption shows which were so much fun then dipped my toe into judging making my friends along the way.
I own 4 dogs, two are obedience champions, the dream that came come true one I try and compete with but he's a sensitive soul bless him. And a young collie who is just starting the obedience journey.
I have trained many people with their dogs and helped them to have a well-balanced sociable pet and best friend
Karen - Treasurer & Trainer
My journey into dog training started about 13 years ago when my then housemate adopted an English Bull Terrier, and we struggled to find local training options. That set off a lightbulb moment; why not start my own dog training business, I still haven’t done it, but hey ho. From there, I threw myself into learning everything I could.
I completed a dog trainers' course with the APDT (Association Of Pet Dog Trainers) and was hungry for more knowledge. That’s when I stumbled across Middlesbrough Dog Club, then known as Middlesbrough & District Dog Training Association, they were hosting Trevor Cooper for a Dog Law seminar, a topic every dog owner should know about. I asked about volunteering, and before I knew it, I was part of the club.
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I absolutely love watching the bond between owners and their dogs develop. Seeing those lightbulb moments when humans start to understand their dogs' language (instead of expecting dogs to just ‘get’ ours).
Over the years, I’ve attended courses with APDT, IMDT (International Modern Dog Trainers), The School of Canine Science, and Victoria Stilwell, as well as workshops with Craig Ogilvie, Pauline Jackson, Jane Arden, Nicole Wild, and many more. The learning never stops, as new things are always being discovered and new techniques established, dog training has come a very long way in the last 30 years, and you must stay up to date with it, to provide the best possible service.
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I don’t consider myself a specialist in any one area, but I do see myself as a trainer rather than a behaviourist. My approach is to look at the whole picture, from the dog’s environment and diet to their breed traits, exercise levels, and family dynamics. There’s no one-size-fits-all method, and I love working with owners to find what works best for them and their dogs.
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My training style is reward-based, and I love encouraging dogs to think for themselves, helping them offer behaviours naturally rather than just following orders. And while I’ve never competed in dog sports, I do have one claim to fame... At an APDT training weekend, a few trainers and I invented Vegan Gundog Training. Strangely, it never caught on. No idea why.
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At the club, I’m both a trainer and the co-opted secretary, balancing training classes with keeping things organised behind the scenes. And while I don’t currently have a dog of my own (previous work commitments and house-sharing made it tricky), I get my dog-fix through training others, so thank you for letting me borrow yours!
When I’m not dog training, I have a slight TikTok addiction and a houseplant obsession. I also have a bit of a woo-woo side, which spills over into my training, I’ve even completed a mindfulness dog training course. In the future, I’d love to become qualified in Zoopharmacognosy, Tellington T-Touch and Scent Work, combining my holistic approach with even more ways to help dogs thrive.
Jody Secretary & Trainer
"Sometimes the best medicine is a dog who thinks their love can cure you"
Hello, I'm Angie a dog groomer from Middlesbrough and I've been a member and volunteer at MDTC for nearly 10 years and I'm owned by 3 delightfully mischievous Standard Poodles.
We've competed in both Breed Showing and Obedience, and one has been in a Rap Video. We love to train and have attended fun classes in Agility, Hoopers, tricks and Good Citizen Awards.
I had 'a bit of a meltdown' 3 years ago and struggled to go ANYWHERE without having a panic attack, but I found Reiki has helped me enormously so now I like to take a more Natural /Holistic approach with my dogs too. They've been the best medicine, so I'll be eternally grateful and thankful to them, they are my life.
We're a very friendly supportive bunch at MDTC, I love helping and being part of this club, they have encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and try new activities and I hope you get the training bug too. Looking Forward to seeing you in class!
Angie - Committee Member & Class Assistant
Hi I'm Andrea, and I'm a volunteer with Middlesbrough Dog Club and have been on the club's committee for the past few years. I enjoy helping out in training sessions and seeing dogs and their owners develop confidence and skills as the weeks go by.
Growing up, I always loved dogs, but sadly we couldn't have one of our own, so I had to make do with walking & playing with other peoples dogs when I got the chance.
Roll forward to 2015 and after careful consideration, we decided that we could welcome a dog into our family. As luck would have it, a friends Spaniel had just had a litter of pups and we were able to meet them and choose our girl.
She was a wild child, and I shed many tears as she tore around the house, shredding and chewing things as she went and digging up the garden.
That's when we decided that help was required & contacted Middlesbrough Dog club for advice and our journey began.
Today we have a calm, sociable, well trained and much loved family pet. She is still a typical cocker, who enjoys walks in the woods and on the beach sniffing & searching as she goes. However, she does get 'spaniel deafness' if there are pheasants around and you have to work hard to get her attention.
We have continued her training with MDC and others because she really enjoys mental stimulation and the chance to do something different. However, despite our best efforts she still pulls on her lead. There's always something to keep working on!
Andrea - Committee Member & Class Assistant
