Top Barks Dog Training
Kind, fair and effective training
© Top Barks Dog Training 2021
About me
Top Barks is run by professional dog
trainer, Mark Sanderson.
Mark holds a range of top-level academic
qualifications
BSc Hons in Canine Behaviour and Training:
Mark holds his degree from the University of Hull.
He was the first man in the UK to gain this
qualification. The course covered a broad spectrum
of practical and theoretical issues that affect all
breeds of dogs. His specialism was in factors that
influenced Cocker Spaniel behaviour.
FdSc in Canine Behaviour and Training: A
precursor to the BSc Hons, Mark first developed his
interest in dog training through his work for this
Foundation Degree in 2006.
COAPE Think Dog: A qualification that focuses on
the theory behind issues that affect dog trainers,
such as nutrition, puppy development stages and
dealing with behavioural problems.
CAP 2: A practical award from Learning About
Dogs, which demonstrated Mark's competency with
the clicker training method.
Mark is a member of leading professional
organisations
APDT: The APDT (Association of Pet Dog
Trainers), UK is a voluntary organisation
established to improve the welfare of dogs and the
competence of dog owners through the promotion
of training skills and techniques based on up to
date, researched, methods that apply the principles
of kindness fairness and effectiveness and are in
keeping with modern learning theory. They promote
the use of Kind, Fair and Effective training.
Pet Professional Guild: The Pet Professional
Guild is a membership organization representing
pet industry professionals who are committed
to·results·based, science based force-free training
and pet care.
ABTC: The Animal Behaviour and Training
Council·is the regulatory body·that
represents·animal trainers·and·animal behaviour
therapists·to both the public and to legislative
bodies. It sets and maintains the standards of
knowledge and practical skills needed to be
an·animal trainer or animal behaviour therapist, and
it maintains the national register of appropriately
qualified animal trainers and animal behaviourists. It
promotes the welfare of animals in their interactions
with humans, lobbying for humane methods in
training and behaviour modification, and for
the·education of the animal owning public.
Mark cares about the future of the dogs and
owners he works with
“I have been training all breeds of dogs for over ten
years and I am currently owned by my own dogs! I
train my dogs using reward based methods to
enhance the dog/owner relationship. I use clicker
training, alongside other methods, to ensure a
happy dog and a happy owner." (Mark, 2015)