PMPK9 Training School - www.pmpk9trainingschool.co.uk

Buddy was 14 weeks old when we brought him home from Herefordshire to join our other dog a 5 year old Boxer. He was a very anxious pup although there seemed to be no reason for this. Buddy is a Malinois (Belgian Shepherd) German Shepherd cross breed. We have owned a similar cross before but Buddy was a different "kettle of fish" altogether. He would bark at anyone he didn't know if they approached him or met his gaze and was constantly hyper vigilant. A walk down the street was miserable for us and more importantly for him.

We had done some obedience and working dog trials with our previous Malinois cross so we were not complete novices but the knowledge we had was not enough to help "our boy". We were very aware that as he grew older and bigger the more difficult it would be to help him and keep him safe. We had no desire to get the wrong side of the Dangerous Dogs Act !

Buddy is a loveable bundle of fun in his own surroundings with people he knows he is also very bright and eager to learn/ please. We first became aware of PMP K9 (Pat) at a "doggy seminar" that by coincidence both Pat and myself attended we had no contact at that point but I later investigated via the internet. Having read customer reviews it was obvious that Pat had helped dogs and owners with more severe issues than Buddy and that he was an experienced dog trainer/ handler. So we contacted Pat and arranged our initial interview.

We were impressed with the professionalism and care taken at this interview to ensure that all background information needed was in place to address our issues and concerns during training.

We started one to one training sessions when Buddy was about four and a half months old and joined group classes when he was eleven months. With Pats help Buddy has gone from tail down miserable anxiety to happy tail wagging eagerness. He thoroughly enjoys every session - and so do we. Classes are well organised, lively and fun.

We feel we have learned and continue to learn a great deal during our time with Pat. We live 40 miles away from PMP K9 and the drive takes over an hour both ways twice a week but for Buddy and ourselves it has been worth every mile. We appreciate Pats depth of knowledge his professionalism and enthusiasm and would not hesitate to recommend PMP K9 / Pat to anyone in need of help with their dog and I am sure that Buddy would agree.

Our first dog was a springer spaniel called Oliver which we had for fourteen years. When Oliver entered our lives we were young with no children and the dog was just pretty much one of the family with no real rules or boundaries. Apart from eating remote controls and chewing holes in the odd sock we lived together very happily. Sadly we lost our Springer in early 2013 due to old age.

We couldn’t and didn’t want to live our lives without another dog so in March 2013 a 12 week old golden retriever we called Oscar came to join us. As we were no strangers to having a dog we couldn’t foresee any real issues with another dog settling into our lives. However it soon became apparent that young children and a puppy with no “proper training” was not going to work. Things came to a head when Oscar, now 6 months old and big was playing boisterously with a friend’s dog and snapped at our son, who was getting between them. At this point we were very seriously considering as to whether we had made the right move having another dog in our lives with such young children.

After some consideration we decided that it was our responsibility as parents but also as an owner of a dog to act proactively instead of reactively. Whilst we were anxious that another incident could occur again, we acknowledged our responsibility for what had happened and we felt we had let Oscar down. Rehoming Oscar and ‘trying again’ with another dog would have merely papered over the cracks, besides which, we had all come to love him and needed to find a solution. Fast. It was a traumatic stressful experience and one we wouldn’t want to ever face again.

We found PMP K9 on the internet after looking at the website and reading some of the (excellent) comments we arranged a 1-1 meeting with Pat to discuss our situation. After an hours discussion we realised that although we have owned and been around dogs for such a long time we didn’t look at things from the dogs’ perspective enough. It some became apparent that there where a catalogue of errors that lead us to this point and things needed to change quickly.

Humble pie eaten I soon afterwards started the 1-1 training sessions with Pat. During these sessions we covered the basic obedience drills along with me collecting a lot a valuable insights into how a dog’s mind-set works. Being shown the correct way to train a dog and how best to react to the dogs responses started getting us some pretty instant results. I soon realised that all the correct behaviours were within my dogs capabilities it was just adopting the best methods to extract them. Along with some assistance from some of the other members of the club and their dogs we soon had Oscar behaving quite sociably and ready to attend the group classes.

The mind-set when we first started the training was to get a “trained dog” which would do the basic drills and we could live happily ever after. However we have been attending the classes for 6 months now and the progression that we a have made during that time has really impressed us and way exceeded our initial expectations. During the classes I learn more and more each week about different exercises and more ways to understand my dog effectively to achieve higher goals.

Despite Oscar being just one year old we regularly receive compliments on our well trained and beautifully behaved dog. It goes without saying that our time with Pat has enabled us to achieve this. Oscar is a credit to both our family and Pat. I’m sure I can speak for Oscar when I say that we look forward to our Saturday morning training sessions and remain intrigued as to how far we can progress. I’m extremely impressed with Pat’s knowledge of the psychology of dogs and his training methods. Overall we are really pleased with all the help and support we have received from PMP K9 and would highly recommend them to anyone. There is no doubt whatsoever that our family as a whole has and will continue to benefit tremendously from our time spent with Pat.

My Husband and I inherited a Staffordshire bull terrier when he was 3 years old. He was well loved, great with our friends but unfortunately not good around other dogs. When we lost him earlier this year aged 10 and bought two puppies, one of which was another staffy, we decided to seek advice in the hope that we could have two dogs that were capable in social situations. A friend recommended Pat at PMP K9 training so we decided to give him a call.

We took the puppies to our first session with Pat aged just 16 weeks and we have been amazed at how much they have learned already. Just a few sessions in and we hit Bonfire night, the previous 7 years of which we have, like many dog owners, dreaded. Unbelievably our then 4 months old dogs were completely unfazed by the experience. Not only did we escape the usual routine of every TV and radio in the house blaring, we actually took them out for a walk during the main event. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it, the bangs went completely unnoticed.

Whilst our vivacious French bulldog took to Pat and the sessions immediately, our staffy was at first very anxious in the new environment, but she now loves the sessions and can’t wait to get out of the car when we pull up. They are now just short of six months and we continue to see them develop and improve in what might be considered very stressful situations. We can already let our French Bolldog off the lead during our walks on the beach, they respond well to basic commands and are inquisitive but happy in the company of other dogs.

Our pets are part of our family and are very well cared for, but what we as owners have learned from Pat over the past few months has been equally as important as what our puppies have learned. I genuinely believe that every dog owner would benefit from a few sessions with Pat. He has never judged the things we have done, but has guided us where he thinks we can improve. We have already gained more than we ever anticipated from our sessions and look forward to seeing what our dogs can achieve going forward. Knowing now that it is never too late to train your dog, I only wish we had known Pat 7 years ago. We feel a great sense of pride in our dogs and the fact we that we are responsible dog owners. If you are looking for a dog trainer, we could not recommend PMP K9 Training School enough.

Being a first time dog owner when I purchased my dog I had little knowledge of certain thing to look out for, this didn’t phase me as I knew If need be I could seek the help of someone with experience, as a few weeks went by and Buddy settled in my home, the crack started to appear.

I was falsely led to believe he was an obedient dog, which walks well on a leash (once he’s had his mad couple of minutes), has a good recall and is very lovable. One thing was correct he is very lovable.

However he pulled like a train to the point where I had no feeling left in my hand and no strength in my upper arm, he didn’t recall, he didn’t even know basic commands (Sit, Paw, Down etc.…), he had a bad diet and a lot more bad habits, it was time to go and see about getting my dog on the straight and narrow.

After speculating and talking with dog trainers in the area, only one appealed to me, PMP K9. A few places I rang felt like they just wanted to shout the prices at me then get off the phone as quick as possible like they had better things to do but I needed at least some king of insight as too if they deal with my sort of problem/breed.

Pat (PMP K9) and myself had a good chat on the phone about the situation and problems I was having, then I booked in for an assessment to set the ball rolling.

Before I managed to get my first lesson in my dog had to go for an operation which put a dent in our starting date by over 3 weeks, Pat was very understanding and could offer nothing but consideration for the well being of my dog, and a speedy recovery.

I spent roughly 9 months at the training school doing 1-2-1 sessions, learning techniques and putting them into practice under the supervision of Pat, and then into group sessions reinforcing them. I am extremely pleased with the progress my dog, within weeks he was walking well on a leash and seemed to be enjoying his walks a lot more than us battling with each other, His obedience levels have gone through the roof which I have built upon since using Pat’s methods and the results still astound me.

I was skeptical at first about the way in which I would be asked to handle my dog after hearing rumors of ‘torture’ methods. I can honestly say the most my dog had to suffer was a stern NO! or having to wait for a treat.

Pat is a very honest person and will always have the best intentions for your dog and yourself at heart. There are no ‘quick fixes’ or gimmicks to mask the problems, he uses hard work from the ground up, It’s as if he gets into the mind of the dog to identify the root of the problem and then paves the way in terms of training and techniques to stop the unwanted behavior rather than redirecting it, which is exactly what my dog needed, and quite frankly it is fascinating to see someone work like that.

To give you an idea of the dog in question, He is a Mastiff x American Bulldog – Weighs 43KG (6 and half Stone) and on his hind legs stands 5 feet high.

I am forever grateful to PMP K9 Dog Training School for being so helpful and effective to both my dog, and myself.

Many Thanks,

Adam & Buddy

In May 2012 my husband and I bought a German Shepherd Dog 'Harvey' but made the mistake

of believing we could train him ourselves, big big mistake. Thanks to a friend we were recommended

to Pat at PMPK9 Training School and not before time as Harvey is now 21months and until three weeks ago could only be described as a juvenile delinquent with no control and completely in charge of us. Thanks to Pat our

saviour, we have started on the road to recovery.

Our first meeting with Pat was an assessment on both us and Harvey, Pat pointed out all the errors we had made from diet through to general behaviour, of us as well as Harvey.

Our first one to one training showed us just a how badly Harvey needed training,

with Pat's guidance, a sensible diet, patience and regular traing we know that we will reach our goal

having a dog who we can be proud of, but none of this would have been possible without Pat's guidance

and patience. It goes without saying that Pat is a master in his job and we cannot praise him or thank

him enough for helping us. We would highly recommend anybody with any issues with their dog to seek

Pat's advice as soon as possible . Don't forgrt PMPK9 DOG TRAINING.

I firstly approached Pat at PMPK9 in January 2013, has we were worried because Harry our Labrador was becoming quite aggressive with some people for no apparent reason. After our initial assessment, I left the training field thinking I was never going to remember all the information and changes that Pat and myself had discussed

We started with 1-2-1 sessions but have now moved onto a group session. I think Harry now probably looks forward to his training sessions now instead of taking a quivering wreck, he really enjoys doing the agility course at the end of the session

Harry adapted to all the changes quicker than I did, we now seem to have a much happier dog to live with and that is down to all Pats expert advice. If you are looking for a training school I would definitely recommend PMPK9

Sue & Family

I started training with Pat at PMP K9 in February 2012 with my border collie puppy Max. During this time, I have learnt so much and gained in confidence and Max, who is now 20 months, has come on in leaps and bounds. I never thought it was possible to develop so much in just over a year, from learning basic obedience, to now being able to do off lead obedience and confidently participate in the agility activities. We are now aiming for off lead work with the agility course, and I am confident that with Pat’s help and advice we will both be able to fulfill this.

Attending the lessons with Pat on a weekly basis, are very beneficial and you learn so much. This in itself though, is only part of the answer to making sure you have a well-behaved and well-adjusted dog. You have to put a lot of work in during the week, training the dog yourself, and when you combine the two, then that is when you are able to achieve the results that you want. I have put a lot of time into training Max, and although we both still have a lot to learn, I feel confident that we can progress further and look forward to him developing and also my skills as his handler developing more in the future. I certainly feel that I have been rewarded with the time I have put into Max, as he now focuses so much on me, and a great bond has developed between us.

Having gained the experience I have at PMP K9, I decided at the end of 2012, to buy another border collie puppy called Alfie. I certainly did not hesitate about enrolling him as soon as he was old enough, with Pat. Like with Max, I know how important it is to get things right from the start, and then hopefully all the normal issues that you can get later on, are avoided.

I am pleased to report, that Alfie has taken it all in his stride, and was not phased by any of the people or dogs, even on his first encounter at 12 weeks of age. Once again, I have taken Alfie through the steps that Pat advises, and although he is still only 7 months old, I could not have been prouder than last Bank Holiday Monday, when we ventured into a VERY busy Skegness. Once again, he was not phased by anything, he walked pretty well to heel all the time, and did not pull at all on the lead. He ignored the other dogs that were in close contact to us and actually listened and followed the commands I gave him. He totally exceeded my expectations of this stressful experience, and I can definitely say, that without Pat’s help and advice, and once again, the input during the week from me, this could have ended so differently. 18 months ago, I would never have dreamed of taking a dog into Skegness on a Bank Holiday, but having gained the knowledge & confidence I have since attending PMP K9, I now felt able to take a 7 month puppy!!

I have been lucky in that I found PMP K9 when Max was a young puppy, and that we got the right advice from the start. However, I have witnessed the success other owners have had with their dogs that are older and have developed problems, since going to see Pat. There is no quick fix when a dog has developed problems, but once again, with the right advice and the hard work and that the owners have put in, the change in them now is remarkable, and now they are happy members of the dog classes and lovely well mannered dogs.

I can not recommend PMP K9 highly enough and the whole experience is extremely enjoyable and rewarding. I am certainly looking forward to watching young Alfie develop and indeed, seeing both of my collies achieve their full potential.

It just does not get any better than this...... back in February we took on an RSPCA rescue dog who was brought into Kings Lynn centre by the local dog wardens.

As a staffy cross breed we were very wary, and after delivery found him to be fine tempered with humans but dog aggressive, and suffered apprehension anxiety when left at home. In addition his skills at taking and responding to commands lacked finesse to say the very least.

After an internet search we came across PMPK9 DOG TRAINING SCHOOL and booked an assessment with Pat the proprietor which was extremely thorough, even down to diet advice and a forward plan of action to correct all behaviour matters.

After just a few lessons the difference was remarkable, Pat had our dog walking to heel and reacting to spoken commands in no time flat. This was don e with firmness and full respect for the dog itself and owners. A brilliant school well worth solving all your dog problems in one professional hit. After classes there is a short coffee relaxation where the owners can socialise and exchange news and ideas - excellent.

The end result is now a faithful pet who responds to all commends and has a wonderful temperament. Well done Pat Markham and true canine professional

My two mini Schnauzers have been going to PMPK9 Training School for a while. Initially for the horrendous way they pulled when walking and after our initial interview we went on a one to one then progressed to a class. Pulling is non excistant.We then decided to continue with training to ensure we had two really well behaved dogs and moved on to a class. Pat is an amazing trainer and certainly very qualified. Not only has he trained my dogs but trained us as the owners. My two dogs now take part in agility at the end of each training session and thoroughly enjoy it. We would reccomend PMPK9 to anyone as the expertise is first class.

Hi I'm a small hotel owner and recently lost my husband, so my sons kindly bought me a puppy to keep me company and give me something to do in winter months when my business is quiet. I received an eight week old springer spaniel, I have had spaniels before but Willow my pup had a mind of her own and took to destroying my home and garden over the first few months, then I sprained my knee whilst out walking her trying to restrain her from running after some other dogs. I was in dispare and told my son that I was going to rehome her as I couldnt cope. he was very upset as he is very fond of her and said he would take her home, but unfortunately he works full time so I refused as its not fair on Willow. So I sat by my computer and surfed the internet to find a dog trainer to help me. My prayers were answered that day as I found Pat. He was so reassuring when I spoke to him on the phone and he asked me to take Willow along to meet him and have a chat. I haven't looked back since. He is firm, full of useful ideas and tips on what to do, he is also a very good listener as he listens to all the conversation first before he explains things to you as I have made several mistakes whilst talking to him and the cure ended up being different by the time I fully explained everything.

We have been going now for about 6 weeks, Willow has come on tremendously all my family and friends have passed comment on her behaviour,most of all I have come on a long way Pat has showed me the right way to handle willow and show willow what to do, as a good dog is only as good as the handler and if I was doing it wrong I couldn't and shouldn't tell willow off as I am the one showing her how to behave.

We have now progressed to group sessons, I didnt think we were ready, but Pat said yes to have faith , we did it and I was so proud of Willow.I didnt think that I was ever going to enjoy Willow as she seemed to be distroying my life, but I now enjoy everyday with her and look forward to going our lessons. Keep up the great work Pat and many thanks