Barking Mad
The Dog Training & Behaviour Co.
The Barking Mad Dog Training & Behaviour Company is one of the most trusted Professional Training Organisations in the country.
Since 1994 we’ve been helping both pets and their owners to better understand each other and live together in perfect harmony. All in a warm, friendly and welcoming environment!
"Dogs do speak, but only to those
who know how to listen." Orhan Pamuk
Why Choose
The
Barking Mad Dog Training
& Behaviour Company?
LEARN . LOVE . LAUGH
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When looking for a dog training school it’s often out of necessity; either because we have a puppy and it’s considered the right thing to do, or perhaps you have an adult dog which is a bit of a Loony Goon or a Grumpy Git.
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Over the past 25 years our team of expert Instructors and Behaviourists have successfully trained thousands of pet and behaviour clients and we can help you too!
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We’ll put you at ease right from the beginning. Providing all the support you need we’ll help you to achieve your goals and aspirations.
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We see ourselves predominantly as teachers; teaching you to develop the relationship and tools you need to be the ultimate trainer of your dog.
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Our classes, 1-2-1s and intensive courses are all done in a relaxed, friendly and most importantly, realistic outdoor environment.
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For us, the customer’s experience and journey is at the heart of what we do. We firmly believe that if you enjoy it so will your dog, and our great reputation will continue!
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Whatever your problems, goals or aspirations, you can feel confident that the team at The Barking Mad Dog Training & Behaviour Company will be able to help!
Our Facilities
All our classes have their own training area which has a selection of low impact and confidence building equipment. We also have 2 full size agility paddocks, scurry area, scent area, gundog area. In the summer we even have our own bespoke dog swimming pool
Richard Clarke
GoDT(MT)
Director/CEO, Director of Training
Originally in the Royal Navy, Richard went on to become a Civilian Environmental Trainer for the Ministry of Defense, qualifying over 30 years ago in both Canine Psychology and nutrition.
With a wealth of experience, Rich has worked within a variety of roles including training environmental detection dogs in Vietnam, Indonesia & Cambodia; Bed Bug Detection dogs in conjunction with the 2012 Olympics as well as drugs, AES, and Man Trailing specialists in both the private and public sector.
He has also worked on a variety of film and TV projects including James Bond : Golden Eye, Batman Begins, Keen Eddie, Jo Brand and Band of Brothers to name a few!
Finally, Rich was a Judge on BBC 3's Dog Borstal series for several years and has been a regular contributor on BBC 1's Countryfile.
In 1994, he launched Barking Mad Dog Training School, which went on to be one of the largest training centers in the country with an additional 12 other centers throughout the UK.
Today, he and his family now live in lovely Suffolk and his experienced, wonderful team offer training and support throughout the East Anglia region. All whilst still lecturing and running Instructors Courses, passing his knowledge and experience to trainers and professionals around the country ... and still calls it the best job in the world!
Natalie Clarke
GoDT(PT), Adv.IBMDTC, OFQUAL Level 3 Canine First Aid, Acc. Hoopers Instructor,
Acc. Dock Diving Instructor
Director/Head Trainer
Natalie originally came to Barking Mad in 2003 with her naughty Westie Barney who had severe behavioural issues. She went on to successfully compete in Working Trials and in the process was bitten by the dog training bug. Natalie and Richard moved to Suffolk in 2014 and since then have set up BM in Suffolk. Natalie specialises in 121 behavioural and sports training as well as puppy and adult classes. Natalie has 2 labradors- Betty, who has recently stared alongside Dame Maureen Lipman in a short film "The Dog That Couldn't Bark" and Dolly who competes with Natalie and her daughter Mollie in Gundog and Agility, Dolly and Mollie (age 12) won the Norwich Gundog Club Young Handler Working Test this year which was a fantastic achievement. Natalie also has 2 other pet labradors, a bedlington whippet and a westie cross.
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Julie Cant
Adv.IBMDTC, Acc.Hoopers Instructor
Deputy Head Trainer, Senior Behaviourist
Since completing the Instructors courses at Barking Mad Julie has been a full time Accredited Instructor for the last 15 years. Having worked as a specialist detection instructor in Vietnam with Richard in 2010 Julie's ability as an instructor quickly went from strength to strength. Julie successfully rehabilitated her 'Ex Grumpy' Cruz who ended up being a real ambassador for her and Barking Mad. Julie is now an accredited Hoopers Trainer and has competed to the highest level with her Labrador Yoshi, she is now working on doing the same with Skipper.
Anneka Goater
Instructor
Anneka has joined the team after completing her degree in Zoology, where she learnt about a range of topics including animal behaviour. She then discovered her passion for dog training is is continually working to further her knowledge. Recently she has adopted a rescue dog called Juno and she is really enjoying teaching her - watch this space to see where she takes her!
Carla Lee
AIMBDTC
Dog School Manager/Instructor
Carla has been working in the pet industry for over 15 years but has always had a real passion for dogs. She came to Barking Mad 4 years ago with her older Staffie Red who had some behavioral problems which she then went on to resolve. She got the bug for dog training and completed our instructor course back in 2022. Carla now runs our dog school and is a puppy and adult instructor. She recently got a little labrador puppy called Tex who we are excited to see what he turns his paw to.
Leah Clarke
AIBMDTC
Instructor
Leah has grown up with Barking Mad and started running our Kidz Club at the age of 12 after successfully completing our in-house instructors course. After leaving college and working in America Leah has decided dog training is where her heart is and is working full time doing puppy and adult classes as well as training 121s and pool sessions.
Leah has a cross breed called Potato and is looking forward to getting involved in working trials and training him up to be a
Grace Hesslin
AIBMDTC, OFQUAL Level 3 Canine First Aid
Instructor
Grace started her career working as a veterinary assistant, and has since worked in a number of animal related roles, including a canine handler in a rescue centre. She started her journey at Barking Mad in 2021, training her reactive dog Dinky; who has since achieved her Gold Award. Grace completed the Instructors Course in 2022 and specialises in puppy and adult classes as well as 121s. She also works in our Dog School helping to train and modify behaviours for our customers dogs.
Testimonials
Here’s What Our Customers Are Saying...
Roxie was about as dog-reactive as you can get... The transformation in the first three weeks of 1-2-1s had to be seen to be believed. I can now take Rox pretty much anywhere without worrying, and I’m much better equipped to read her and situations that might upset her and deal with those things properly.
It feels like a big family atmosphere at Barking Mad; it feels like everyone there is interested in how you and your dog are progressing. Turning up to that first session was the best thing I have done since I adopted Roxie from the Dog’s Trust. It’s turned our lives around. Thank you Julie and everyone at Barking Mad!
Ross & Roxie, Malinois
I had never had a dog before so I wanted as much help as possible to raise a well behaved one and Barking Mad have definitely helped me achieve that.
We love going to dog classes every Sunday morning. Hunter gets to see his friends who he has know since we first started back in June. It’s great socialisation for both Hunter & I and we are still learning so much every week.
It’s a great company and would highly recommend them.
Becky & Hunter, Cocker Spaniel
Absolutely fabulous group of trainers. Really friendly and never make you feel stupid when you get things wrong. Always happy to give you advice and really do know their stuff. My dog loves training here. He got bored training in a village hall but here every week is new, fun, different and exciting and we have both tried things I wouldn't know where else to go to have a go at it. Try the free sessions and find out for yourself.
Lindsey & Buddy, Cockapoo
Barking Mad is amazing, we have a rescue dog and started with a few 1-2-1s before moving into a group. Natalie really understands dogs and our dog loves her. With Nat's help, Bella has gone from a reactive dog to a well-behaved and friendly dog. We love all the classes and really look forward to going. This is the place to train your dog whilst having fun. (Although sometimes I think it's us being trained)! I highly recommend Nat and the rest of the team.
Katina & Bella, Border Collie
Really great session with Nat who gave us lots of advice for our anxious dog Harry. We will be implementing them and hopefully easing his anxiety
Amanda & Maisie
The trainers are so happy and knowledgeable and the setting is superb.
Angie & Paddy
Get in Touch Today
School Farm, Halesworth Road, Ilketshall St Lawrence Beccles United Kingdom NR34 8LB
07495337774
