Acer Gundog Training Ltd

Before choosing our puppy, we looked at Welsh springers and Brittany spaniels but for various reasons we decided to go with a small type Working Cocker. From the day we collected her, I thought our pup had a lot of potential, and she proved it by sailing through her basic training at a local general obedience school. As a result, I figured that I had best find a specialist Gundog school which not only focused on obedience but also on harnessing the breeds natural hunting instinct and willingness to please. I heard of Acer through a work colleague who had a very well behaved Labrador, and after contacting Acer, I signed up for Beginner Gundog lessons. At 5 months old, I thought my pup might find the experience of learning in an open field with lots of distractions overwhelming, but she proved me wrong and responded extremely well to the rewards based training that Acer promotes. The spaniel classes which Acer have been running over the past 6 or so months have really helped my dog to excel and allowed me to learn from a dedicated trainer who really understands a spaniels view of the world. These lessons have also allowed me to talk to other spaniel owners about the day to day spaniel related issues and experiences we all encounter at some point or another. If you have a Gundog and you want it to be obedient as well as have a sense of purpose, then I’d highly recommend Acer. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

We have been coming to Acer Gundog training with our Gordon Setter Margot since she was a tiny puppy. We knew from having a Gordon before that setters can be difficult to train, so wanted to get things right first time. Mel’s classes are always fun and varied are an excellent way to socialise our dog. Mel shows us how to work the dogs mentally, giving us tips to continue our training at home during the week. Acer have been great with breed specific advice and have helped us to understand what motivates Margot. We are now in the next class and still learning every week. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Great scent & retrieve session today at Buntingford with Emma. Peggy had a great time and it’s always a pleasure. I’d thoroughly recommend Acer Gundog Training.

Reviewed on Facebook

I have been training both my dogs with Acer for over a year,the owner & the trainers are very good & helpful answering my many questions ,nothing is to much trouble. The training is done.with kindness and rewards. I started in puppy class& l am in Beginners You do not have to have a gundog to do these classes.There is no pressure put on you or your dog,you just go at your own spèed.My 21 month spaniel & my 16 months spaniel love the lessons. & their trainers.Everyone you meet here is very friendly.I Cannot recommend enough More...

Reviewed on Yell

We had previously had a bad experience with a dog trainer and were basically told that we had gotten an untrainable breed of dog - he was 9 weeks old at this point. We were chatting to our vet and she mentioned gun dog training (amongst other things) so I started doing some research and discovered Acer Gundog Training. After a couple of very helpful conversations with Mark on the phone I took the plunge and booked into a Gundog Puppy Class. Myself and my ‘untrainable’ now 11 week old Gordon Setter Angus arrived in a wide open field full of apprehension that we were going to be totally out of our depth (I say we, but it was all me Angus was so excited) and were greeted by Russ and Mark. From that moment on we have not looked back- Angus is now 34 weeks old, and the relationship we have forged together is fantastic- Acer have helped me to understand Angus and what makes him tick, but most importantly it has taught me how to handle my dog by *training me* how to communicate effectively with him and reward the behaviour that we want Angus to demonstrate, taking baby steps and building on each step along the way. It goes without saying that the socialisation we get from groups of other dogs of different abilities and sizes have helped create a ‘well rounded’ dog. Our household now has a pet that ‘anyone’ could handle with nothing more than a whistle, a clicker, lots of love (and maybe a bit of chicken would help too tbh) There is one last thing that I want to add - these classes have been so much fun and are a highlight of our week, they give us things to practice during the week helping to keep Angus engaged and under control whilst out for a walk. I can’t recommend these guys strongly enough- we make an 80 mile round trip for these classes on a weekend morning, and they have been brilliant! Thanks Russ, Emma, Mel, & Mark More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Just finished a course of 1-2-1 with Mel & I cant recommend enough, Phoebe has absolutely loved it & it’s also helped us (me) gain more confidence in my ability to train her. Looking forward to starting in the classes & seeing Phoebe develop. Thank you all at Acer More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Training is great fun and also well-planned so that there is gradual and successful skills development for both the dogs and their handlers. Paddy and I really enjoy our Saturday mornings in Mel’s class - as well as having a good time with knowledgeable, cheery, and friendly people, we’ve both learned a lot. It is so good to have training geared towards the instincts already there in Paddy’s breeding. It makes for a happy dog - what could be more worthwhile? More...

Reviewed on Facebook

We started classes with Acer when Archie was 6 months old, planning to do one or two blocks of classes in order to get some training for a very active pup - 18 months later & we are still coming to classes! We have most recently been in a class led by Mel & the structure of being with one trainer has worked so well for us as Archie is a dog who loves routine. Mel has built up a knowledge of the individual dogs & can offer really helpful advice. Archie enjoys classes so much - he is always exhausted on Saturday afternoons after being challenged in such a fun way. It is so rewarding to see how well he has progressed & also how I have learnt how to work with him. Thank you Mel for all your work with us both! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

After 7 months of training with Acer, Lucy Labrador is completely unrecognisable (for the better of course) and I couldn't be happier! Of course training is always ongoing but when hard work is teamed up with such fun - the results are there to see. Fantastic training from Gemma and Russ - thank you! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

My lovely Labrador is 14 months old. We have been attending classes with Acer for nearly a year and she has progressed through Puppy and Beginner Classes and is just about to move to Junior. Coming to class is a pleasure both for her and me. I’ve learned so much and so has she. It gives me ideas of things to practise at home and also fulfils her desire to learn. Hence, she is becoming a wonderful, well balanced but still spirited companion. She still has her moments (do Labs ever grow up?) but apart from the odd bit of chewed post and stolen food she is fabulous to be with and a huge amount of that is down to the leadership in training given by the team at Acer. Special mention here for Russ Grant who throughout our training is so supportive of both owners and their dogs. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Thanks Russ.
You have given me the tools to enhance my relationship with Poppy.

Reviewed on Google Maps

I've been training my 2 sprockers with Acer for a few months now, and always really look forward to our sessions on a Saturday. The team have got amazing knowledge on dog psychology, and we feel like we understand a spaniel brain better as a result. Our dogs are always excited to get to training and enjoy the sessions so much. We couldn't recommend Acer more, their positive approach to dog training makes it fun and enjoyable for both dogs and humans! Our only regret is that we didn't start our first dog sooner!John More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We have had a mixture of group and private lessons for our Golden Doodle, Bill, over the last year with Mark and Tori. The results have been excellent. Acer Gundog Training was recommended by a friend and we contacted them as Bill could be very well behaved but tended to turn deaf (!) when he saw a dog he wanted to play with. He also pulled a lot on the lead when he saw another dog. Mark and Tori showed us various exercises to keep Bill engaged with us and less easily distracted and gave us lots of good advice and tips. We have been really pleased in the improvement in consistency in Bill's behaviour and walks have become much more relaxed and enjoyable as a result. We would be happy to recommend Acer. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Lovely informative and understanding trainer, everyone is so friendly and a good place to work outdoors learning skills to help achieve a well behaved dog. Everything is explained thoroughly and help is there when you need it, it is great to learn in such a positive way, whether you want to work your dog or to achieve a pet to be proud of. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

My wife and I take Wapi to the beginner gun dog class with Mark. We all absolutely love it. Mark is extremely patient and encouraging and the classes are really fun. Only positive training methods are used, which is something that is important to us. We're looking forward to the day when Wapi graduates to the next class. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

We have been training with Mark at Acer Gundog Training since Harvey, our working Cocker Spaniel, was 14 weeks. It has been a hugely rewarding and beneficial experience, giving us confidence and strategies for coping with our bright and strong minded puppy. Each week we learn new exercises which gives us material to practice and keep Harvey enriched for the week ahead. We are hoping to work Harvey in the future but also aim to have a well behaved and sociable dog. Acer classes provide a reassuring and friendly environment and we highly recommend them. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Both me and my husband David are thoroughly enjoying the gun dog classes with Mark and Tori, we both have so much to learn! Our clever little working cocker dog Kipper on the other hand is all over it ;) If you are looking for a very professional and friendly place to take your dog for training then look no further :) More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I always knew that I wanted a Working Cocker Spaniel so when I brought Murphy home, finding the right training was very important as my aim is to work Murphy on local shoots. I found Acer Gundog Training on line and after reading nothing but positive reviews, I contacted Mark and was lucky enough to be offered a place for Murphy at gundog puppy classes which we both thoroughly enjoyed and learnt so much thanks to the expertise of Mark and Tori. We now attend the junior gundog class and we are both still learning so much in an enjoyable environment with like minded owners. I can’t recommend Acer Gundog Training enough. Mark & Tori are so knowledgable and the classes are well organised and we look forward to them each week. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I’d been following the Acer Gundog page for a few months prior to getting a dog, so when Bentley came home it was only natural for me to contact Mark in regards to training sessions. Starting training with Mark and Tori was the best thing I could have done for both Bentley and myself. Acer Gundog Training uses positive reward based training which has really helped Bentley to excel. I’m surprised every week at what a clever dog I have and it’s thanks to Mark and the team that I’ve been able to bring out the best in him. We have just graduated from puppy to beginner training and I can’t wait to see us progress further with our training. Whether you’ve a working dog or a pet, I couldn’t recommend Acer Gundog Training enough! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

We heard about Mark and Acer Gun Dog training from a friend, who sang his praises. We had a new black lab puppy, Teal who we were finding a bit of a handful. ... but it was us who were out of practice! Mark was very helpful and patient when we had a couple of 1 to 1 sessions with him before joining his Wednesday puppy class. Teal was 5 months when we started so she was a bit older than the other pups, but the small group made it quite easy for us to fit in and both owners and their dogs made us all welcome. Mark is a great trainer and makes everything fun. In fact the hour goes by almost too quickly....although the “tea break” is a welcome interlude for dogs and owners alike to have a chat. Teal loves the sessions and has made good progress in all the aspects we have covered. We try and practice as much as possible with her so that each week hopefully Mark sees an improvement in us both. A well trained dog is a joy to handle but without good guidance from a trainer it is hard to achieve on ones own. Teal is first and foremost a pet but hopefully will eventually attend shoots in a year or so. However what ever she does we know that she will be disciplined and well behaved thanks to Mark’s help and encouragement. We can thoroughly recommend Mark and Acer Gun Dog Training! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

I joined Acer Gundog training having been recommended by a friend and the puppy classes are fantastic! Primarily our puppy is a family pet and companion for when I go running. Mark's instructions are clear, concise and easy to follow. He sends a great new starter email providing information on what to bring and expect? We've been attending classes around 3 months, met lots of lovely people and made friends. Classes are fun and relaxed, in coffee breaks we share puppy training concerns, such as nipping, how to judge what is 'acceptable' puppy play? There is a real sense of fun, community and wanting everyone to succeed. We've learned so much together, such as getting your puppy to make eye contact for permission. I'm enjoying using a whistle for recall, practicing a sit stay and our 'wait' trick which we learned early on was great fun and a good confidence booster. More...

Reviewed on Facebook

Hector and I are really enjoying puppy class and appreciate Mark's friendly, calm and sensible approach... And we are learning loads! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him. More...

Reviewed on Google Maps

Barney and I love our training sessions with Mark, he's very adaptable for your dogs' needs and I would highly recommend him

Reviewed on Google Maps

I enrolled on the puppy class with my 12 week old golden retriever pup Tiggy and can thoroughly recommend it. Mark is great at making everyone feel relaxed and has a nice, calm, clear way of teaching. As well as the more formal training, it is great to be able to ask (even silly!) questions, for the puppies to be around other young dogs and to talk to the other owners! More...

Reviewed on Facebook

We took our 7 month old German Shorthaired Pointer puppy Otis to one of Mark's Beginners Gun Dog courses. His reward based training techniques are brilliant - we can really see an improvement in Otis's recall & retrieving and will continue working on everything we've learnt. Would definitely recommend.

Reviewed on Yell

Excellent puppy training from Mark.He really gives an insight into what Rosie will respond to.Good fun too!

Reviewed on Yell