Middlesbrough Dog Club

Middlesbrough Dog Club Welcome, our club is the perfect place to bond with your four-legged friend while meeting like-minded dog lovers.

Founded over 60 years ago, we’re a volunteer-run, non-profit organisation formerly known as Middlesbrough & District Dog Training Association Our Classes

Are fun and friendly, using modern, motivational methods. We offer the opportunity for you and your dog to enjoy training alongside other pet owners, in a relaxed atmosphere providing the foundations for a lifetime of happy and responsible dog

ownership. Our reward based methods are kind and painless for your dog and have been scientifically proved to work more effectively than other conventional, corrective methods. Our methods can be used by the whole family, although of course children should always be supervised when training the dog. Our trainers backgrounds also include competing in the main dog sports of Obedience, Rally, Agility and Flyball with our own dogs. Training is delivered by a qualified Pet Dog Training Instructor who also holds qualifications as an adult tutor and in clicker training. She has over 15 years' experience of helping others with their dogs, as well as more than 35 years' experience with her own dogs

Clicker training is offered as an option in all classes

10/08/2026

It's Never Really About the Dog...

One of our trainers said something recently that really stuck with us...

People come because they want help training their dog. They stay because of the people.'

And it's true.

Over the years we've seen complete strangers walk into their first class feeling a bit nervous, only to end up making genuine friendships. Dogs have a funny way of bringing people together.

Yes, we teach recalls, loose lead walking and all the other useful bits, but we're also a group of people who enjoy spending time together, celebrating the little wins and occasionally laughing when the dogs decide they've got completely different plans.

That's what makes a club feel like... well... a club.

09/08/2026

Not every dog wants to say hello and that's okay. 💛

Our MY DOG NEEDS SPACE™ Hi-Vis Tabard helps communicate your dog's needs clearly while keeping you both visible on every walk. With bright high-visibility fabric, reflective detailing, and bold messaging printed on both sides, it's an easy way to encourage respectful interactions and give your dog the space they need to feel safe and comfortable.

✔️ High-visibility yellow with reflective strip
✔️ Lightweight, breathable mesh for comfort
✔️ Adjustable tie sides for a secure fit
✔️ Clear message printed on both sides

Help create calmer, safer walks, for your dog and everyone you meet.

Shop now: https://yellowdoguk.co.uk/store/MY-DOG-NEEDS-SPACE%E2%84%A2-Lightweight-Tabard-p86684091

Did You Know? The Power of SniffingEver notice your dog stop every few steps to have a really good sniff?It can feel lik...
07/08/2026

Did You Know? The Power of Sniffing

Ever notice your dog stop every few steps to have a really good sniff?

It can feel like they're just wasting time, but to your dog it's a bit like reading the morning news.

Who's been here?
Was it a dog?
Male or female?
Young or old?
Happy? Stressed?
How long ago?

Their nose is gathering an incredible amount of information that we'd never even realise was there.

That's one of the reasons a slow 'sniffy walk' can often be just as valuable as marching three miles at full speed. Giving dogs the chance to investigate their environment works their brain as well as their body.

Sometimes the best enrichment isn't another toy... it's simply letting your dog stop and sniff.

International Assistance Dog WeekThis week is International Assistance Dog Week, and we'd like to give a special mention...
03/08/2026

International Assistance Dog Week

This week is International Assistance Dog Week, and we'd like to give a special mention to two very special members of Middlesbrough Dog Club.

Alongside enjoying their training with us, they're also registered therapy dogs, spending time visiting hospitals, care homes and other organisations, where they bring comfort, companionship and a few wagging tails to people of all ages. They also provide valuable support to the dedicated staff who work in these settings every day.

Sometimes all it takes is a gentle nudge of a nose, a warm head resting on someone's lap or a quiet cuddle to brighten what might otherwise have been a difficult day.

It's a wonderful reminder that dogs enrich our lives in so many different ways. Whether they're helping someone build confidence in a training class, encouraging us to get outdoors, or bringing comfort to complete strangers, their impact can be truly extraordinary.

We're incredibly proud to have these two amazing dogs as part of our club, and we'd like to thank them and, of course, their wonderful handlers for the difference they make in our community.

01/08/2026

Have you heard about the changes coming to veterinary prescription fees?

Following a two-and-a-half-year investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) into the UK veterinary sector, new rules are being introduced to improve transparency and help pet owners make more informed choices.

One of the biggest changes is that, from 2027, the fee charged by a veterinary practice for issuing a written prescription will be capped at:

• £21 for the first medication prescribed during a consultation.
• £12.50 for each additional medication prescribed during the same consultation.

It's worth noting that this does not cap the cost of the medication itself. It only limits the fee charged for providing the written prescription, which can then be used to purchase medication from another registered veterinary pharmacy if you choose.

The wider reforms will also require veterinary practices to provide clearer pricing information and make owners aware that they are entitled to request a written prescription and that medication may be available at a lower cost elsewhere.

Sources:
• Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) – Veterinary Services for Household Pets: Final Decision Report.
• UK Government (GOV.UK) – What veterinary businesses and vets need to do following the CMA's final vets report.

What are your thoughts on these changes?

Wish walks were more enjoyable?Whether it's pulling on the lead, ignoring recall, over-excitement or simply wanting to b...
06/07/2026

Wish walks were more enjoyable?

Whether it's pulling on the lead, ignoring recall, over-excitement or simply wanting to build a better relationship with your dog, our Paw-Scholars course can help.

Join our friendly, reward-based classes at Middlesbrough Dog Club and learn the real-life skills that make living with your dog easier and more enjoyable.

5-week course • £75 • Includes one year's club membership

Send us a message or WhatsApp 07983 406295 to find out more.

Last week saw our mini Scentwork Course come to an end... and what a brilliant five weeks it's been!Over the course, our...
29/06/2026

Last week saw our mini Scentwork Course come to an end... and what a brilliant five weeks it's been!

Over the course, our dogs and handlers learned to search for the target odour of Napiers Gun Oil, building a confident passive indication using scented tins, squirrels, mice and a variety of other hides before putting everything together in our final vehicle and courtyard searches.

It has been fantastic watching every partnership grow in confidence, and it's safe to say both the dogs and their humans have absolutely loved it!

Everyone now has the skills to continue the fun at home on rainy days, add a whole new dimension to everyday walks, and even transfer those search skills onto other target odours such as clove, birch or money.

Next we continue progressing our Good Citizen skills alongside our new Handler Skills & Mechanics course.

A huge well done to everyone who took part, and thank you for making our first Mini Scentwork Course such a success. We have a feeling this certainly won't be the last!

Another fantastic Middlesbrough Dog Club social walk in the books! With the UK finally giving us a break from the heat, ...
28/06/2026

Another fantastic Middlesbrough Dog Club social walk in the books!

With the UK finally giving us a break from the heat, we headed back to one of our favourite spots... the beach! We knew the sea breeze would keep everyone comfortable, and the dogs certainly made the most of the opportunity to cool off in the water.

There was just one slight problem... a fishing competition was taking place along the beach! That rather put an end to the brilliant (or slightly bonkers!) suggestion that someone should swim all the way to the Starry Café and simply dry off on the walk back. Probably for the best... fishing lines and swimming dogs aren't the best combination!

There were plenty of memorable moments throughout the morning. Tara decided that leaving the beach was entirely optional, Taz has officially earned himself a place on the register (those who were there know exactly why!), and Bernie and Copper enjoyed their very first trip to the seaside, taking it all in like seasoned beach dogs.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and helped make it another relaxed, friendly morning. That's what our social walks are all about – giving the dogs a chance to explore, sniff, paddle, and spend time together, while the humans enjoy a good chat too.

See you all on the next one!

26/06/2026

Kennel Club Good Citizen Success

Back in May, several of our members took part in their Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze Assessment, and we're delighted to say they all passed.

The Bronze Award focuses on practical skills that help owners enjoy everyday life with their dogs. Things like walking nicely on lead, recalls, stays, controlled greetings, road safety and responsible dog ownership.

What people don't always see is the work that goes into reaching that point. The countless short training sessions at home, practising in all weathers, working through distractions, celebrating small improvements and sometimes taking two steps forward and one step back.

We're incredibly proud of every team that took part. Not just because they passed, but because of the commitment and effort they've shown throughout their training journey.

A huge thank you must also go to Fiona Holdsworth, who very kindly gave up her time to examine for us on the evening. We are extremely grateful for her support and for helping make the assessment such a positive experience for our members.

Thank you as well to everyone who helped organise and support the assessment night behind the scenes.

Enjoy a look back at some of the photos from the evening.

Congratulations to all of our successful handlers and dogs , you've earned it.

Paw-Scholars Graduation Time!A huge congratulations to all of our recent graduates. These dogs and their humans have wor...
24/06/2026

Paw-Scholars Graduation Time!

A huge congratulations to all of our recent graduates. These dogs and their humans have worked hard on everything from focus and engagement through to loose lead walking, recall, calm behaviour, handling skills and much more.

What we're most proud of isn't perfect sits or flawless recalls. It's seeing owners grow in confidence, dogs begin to understand what is being asked of them, and partnerships becoming stronger week by week.

Every dog learns at their own pace and every training journey looks a little different, but each and every team in these photos has put in the effort and should be incredibly proud of what they've achieved.

Thank you for choosing to spend your Tuesday evenings with us, for asking questions, doing the homework, sharing the wins and occasionally reminding us that dog training rarely goes exactly to plan!

Please join us in congratulating all of our latest Paw-Scholars graduates.

If you're looking at these photos and thinking you'd like to start your own training journey, our next Paw-Scholars courses begin soon. Feel free to drop us a message for more information.

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