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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 fifteen 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, 2021)
