Mikey helped me out when we needed it when he was a puppy so when we needed help in the terrible teenage times there was no doubt who could assist!

We were having problems with recall from other dogs on walks, especially when the other dog was playing with a ball…. Mikey assessed both me and him and then gave us the tools to work with between sessions. After the first session the difference was astonishing…. I was communicating with him better and he was understanding no meant no!

I also threw a curve ball in, I needed help with the emergency stop for our gold good Citizen award! I just couldn’t get it, again Mikey gave me a few hints and away we went to Practice and we did it!

I cant thank Mikey enough for his help and we will be back in the future if anything else arises we need help with

Incredible guidance for both Alfa our rescue Poodle and us as a family. We have a very different dog, in just 4 sessions. Truly grateful for Mikey giving us the tools as his owner – would totally recommend – amazing service – thank you so much

I honestly can’t recommend Mikey highly enough. Working with him has been truly life-changing, not just for my dog, but for me as well.

From the very beginning, he was patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in helping us succeed. Mikey took the time to understand my dog’s personality and tailored their approach to suit us, giving me the confidence and skills to build a much stronger relationship with my dog.

The progress we’ve made has exceeded anything I thought was possible. Everyday life is so much more enjoyable now, and I feel like I’ve gained a deeper understanding of my dog thanks to their guidance.

I’ll forever be grateful for everything Mikey done. If you’re looking for a trainer who truly cares, has incredible expertise, and can make a lasting difference, I couldn’t recommend them more highly. Thank you for changing our lives.

Can’t recommend Mikey enough.

Incredibly informative and confident, making training your dog both easy and enjoyable.

You can see that he loves his dog clients and teaches their humans how to interact and lead their pet. Our dog loves him, and he helped us as a family build a bone when rehoming our lab, Enzo.

Mikey at Animal Crackers has been fantastic. He has helped to no end with the training of my puppy! His 1-2-1 sessions have been really insightful and functional. Mikey has shown me how to communicate with my dog in a way the dog understands, and leap over some huge hurdles with surprising ease.

Can’t thank Mikey enough and I will continue further training with him as my dog grows up! It’s well worth it!

Alongside the training, the shop is awesome. It’s well stocked, has some quality gear and food and Mikey always answers any questions I have! Thank you!

We have had Mikey help us to train Barney, our French Bulldog, as Barney reacted to other dogs both at home and on walks. The one-on-one sessions proved invaluable. Confidence and respect approach has transformed Barney’s behaviour. It was our first dog and so we have learnt so much which Mikey and with sessions alongside Digby. We now enjoy walks without Barney reacting and being in public spaces is much easier to handle. Thank you, Mikey – we recommend him wholeheartedly.

WOW, I have small shitzu x maltese rescue dog, who was (please note the was) extremely reactive, especially around men, and people coming into her home, and out walking on the lead. Mikey came highly recommended to me, and after our first session, within 24hrs I saw a change in her. By the end of the course, we had this darling cute but perfectly behaved dog, who is now a pleasure to walk, and greets people and other dogs politely. Mikey thankyou so much, you changed our lives for the better.

Couldn’t recommend Mikey enough! I recently had some 1-2-1 training sessions and the difference in my 10-month-old lab has been massive. Mikey’s extensive knowledge of dog behaviour and training is truly impressive!

Would highly recommend Mikey for anyone looking for any dog training!

I would 100% recommend Mikey, he has been helping me with my dog who has been reactive to noises of any kind, also anxious when in the car. With his expertise and advice, I’ve noticed a difference in a short time. Going for walks are more enjoyable now for both me and my dog.

We came to Mikey with our two excitable golden retrievers, Doug and Daisy. Over the course of 8 weeks the results have been nothing short of remarkable.

Rather than teaching commands and misused positive reinforcement, Mikey has taught us how to communicate with our dogs and understand their behaviours in a way that has completely opened our eyes.

Our progress speaks for itself, both dogs now understand how to behave when visitors arrive, their lead walking has transformed completely, and their recall is reliable in a way we didn’t think was possible. To see such a level of change already feels incredible.

What sets Mikey apart is the patience, expertise, and genuine love for dogs that comes through in every session. We’re now excited to begin phase 2, gun dog training and can’t wait to see Doug and Daisy develop into confident, reliable retrievers.

If you’re looking for a trainer who delivers real, lasting results, we can’t recommend Mikey highly enough. We only wish we found Mikey sooner!!

Mikey has been fantastic. His clear, common sense and straightforward approach has given me tools and confidence to understand and help my dog behave more consistently on lead, off lead and in those sometimes difficult meet and greet situations on walks and at the front door. Result…happier less anxious dog…and owner too! Thank you so so much!

Dexter was on the new lead and walked by my side in the middle of the forest no pulling nothing. Such a good boy. We did that for about 15 mins then I let him off. He ran off into the woods but when I called came back immediately.

Love, trust and respect. These are the words that Mikey gave me to foster a better bond with my dog when I was really struggling with her. After various trainers and very slow progress, I was becoming despondent.

Mikey is so informative, and I learnt so much during our sessions. He took time to read her and understand her, and helped me to see what she is capable of and what I can expect from her, He has given me the insight, confidence and tools to support me in our training journey.

Having the personalised one to one training allowed me to break down the different parts of my struggle and rebuild in a way that made sense to both of us. Treat free training is a liberation as well.

I highly recommend Mikey and his helper, Digby. I thought my obstacles were insurmountable, but Mikey reassured me otherwise.

She is still young and we are still on our training journey but already she is much calmer and is more self-controlled and responsive to me. I can really see a positive future for us.

Mikey taught me how to stop my GSP from chasing and killing deer. It had become a real problem. After 4 sessions we have now learnt how to control her, remaining off lead, with hugely reduced stress on walks. She doesn’t mind the increased control and seems to like the training and attention.

I can’t recommend him highly enough.

The Transformation of a Reactive Dog

In a world where the internet is saturated with dog training advice, finding the right path for a reactive dog can be overwhelming. This was the case for me, faced with a dog whose behaviour made walks a stressful endeavour. He would pull on the lead, react unpredictably to other dogs, leaving me feeling helpless amidst the sea of online trainers.

After trying various methods, I stumbled upon an advert for training with Mikey from Animal Crackers. Mikey’s approach was different; he focused on understanding my dog’s behaviour from a holistic perspective. He recognised the reactivity was not just a training issue but also an emotional one between dog and owner.

We had 8 1-1 training sessions, and the transformation was remarkable. Walks that were once filled with anxiety and stress became calm and enjoyable. The confusion of online advice faded away as Mikey’s clear and tailored guidance proved effective, and it was noticeable in my daily step count having more than tripled.

The journey from a reactive dog to a calm companion is a success story that highlights the importance of personalised training and the profound impact it can have on both the dog and the owner’s life. I highly recommend Mikey and Animal Crackers.

I can’t recommend Mikey enough. What a difference a great dog trainer makes! I really struggled with my little Inka when we first got her, I was at breaking point when my sister reached out to Mikey and introduced me. I am so grateful for the sessions which changed my outlook and taught me how to deal with training Inka. Suddenly it felt manageable and I could cope again and started to enjoy my puppy and with each session we learnt more as a family and Inka learnt how to listen and behave.

Mikey really understands dog psychology and also human behaviour which is the combination we needed as a family with a new puppy.

THANK YOU so so much for everything you’ve taught us – You’re the best!!

After wandering in one day last year and mentioning that I was thinking about trying gun dog training with my spaniel, I have been training with Mikey. I can honestly say it has completely changed my relationship with my dog and all for the better! No treats required, my dog wants to work for me now and it’s such a privilege and pleasure to see him using the instincts he was born with in the right way. I needed more training than the dog!

When I met Mikey I was struggling with my dog’s very strong prey drive and getting him to work with and focus on me when out and about. My bond with my dog is now better than ever. Most importantly he is getting what he needs from me and I feel more confident.

I’m so excited to continue our training and see what the future holds for us. Mikey has honed in on his potential and brought out the best in both of us. Thank you!

Our puppy was highly reactive towards people visiting our home and people and other dogs when out on walks and in indoor social spaces where normal close proximity is inevitable. He was also wilful around the home and we knew we were ‘chasing’ his behaviour rather than positively leading it.

As first-time dog owners, our sessions with Mike have been extremely useful in helping us understand the drivers underlying our dog’s anxiety and reactive behaviour and what it means.

Mike has offered us practical insights into how to influence his behaviour through our own and also how to manage difficult situations.

Mike has also helped with our dog’s and our own confidence through recall work, walks with other dogs including Digby, Mike’s therapy dog and social situations that previously we would not have felt comfortable in.

Our dog’s position within the family is now established, his behaviour needs far less correcting and he is much more obedient when it does need to be corrected. Walks are now enjoyable for both us and our dog, who is able to enjoy the environment around him, rather than react defensively.

We still have improvements to make, but are now better placed to do this ourselves.

Mikey was recommended to me by a friend at a time when my relationship with my dog had become quite fuzzy. We had both retreated, confidence was low on both sides, and the situation felt like it was slowly getting worse.

After just a few sessions, and some intensive work together, we genuinely turned a corner. The love, trust and respect between us has been completely rekindled.

Mikey is fantastic. He is incredibly knowledgeable and took the time to truly read and understand both me and my dog as individuals and as a partnership. He guided us calmly and clearly, helping us navigate challenges and, most importantly, giving us the tools and confidence we needed to move forward.

His ability to read dogs and their relationships with people is remarkable. With Mikey’s help, we’ve been able to engage in social situations that I simply wouldn’t have attempted before. We are now in a much, much better place.

I can’t recommend Mikey highly enough — and a special mention to Digby, his wonderful helper. We genuinely cannot thank you enough

We had a great experience training with Mikey. Our 7 year old Great Dane had a few undesirable quality’s. I was worried with her age maybe we couldn’t change her but I was so wrong. She’s now a model dog, so much calmer and happier. Mikey is a brilliant trainer, highly recommended.

We had been struggling with Stanley, our 2nd miniature schnauzer, as he approached his first birthday. He was super-reactive to cars and people on walks and had taken to charging at walkers and even nipped a couple which was making walks so stressful and unenjoyable. We’d tried another trainer but just hadn’t seen results.

Mikey quickly reassured us that Stanley was not a lost cause and gave us the tools to manage him. It was explained that it was down to us to change our behaviour and take command of the situation. Being clearer and more direct with our commands helped Stanley to better understand what was expected of him and what was unacceptable.

In just a few sessions we saw a change for the better.

We now have the tools in our kitbag to make life with our 2 beautiful miniature schnauzers fun again.

Thank you Mikey and his wonderful deputy, Digby.

We cannot recommend our dog trainer Mikey, highly enough. The transformation in both of our dogs, has been remarkable.

From the very beginning, Mikey took the time to understand each dog’s personality, strengths, and areas that needed work. His knowledge, patience, and positive training methods have given us the confidence and tools to bring out the very best in our dogs.

Annie and Bertie are now calmer when the doorbell rings, more responsive to commands and a pleasure to walk on lead. Mikey’s training is clear and direct and the progress we have made in such a short space of time has exceeded our expectations, and we genuinely look forward to continuing their training journey.

If you’re looking for a trainer who is professional, supportive, and truly passionate about helping dogs and their owners succeed, we would not hesitate to recommend Mikey.

Fleur, his assistant has been brilliant, her quick, friendly yet professional responses to our messages and queries has not gone unnoticed and feel she deserves a mention too – great team work!!

Thank you Mikey and Fleur for everything you have done for us, Annie and Bertie – the difference has been incredible.

Mikey has really helped us with our 7 year old Labrador, Paddy, who was traumatised by a bird scarer.  Whilst Paddy is still not indifferent to loud, sudden noises, Mikey has taught us how to recognise the signs when he is feeling anxious so that we can now manage ’trigger ’walks and prevent him from hiding in the long grass or running back to the car!

Since he was castrated at the age of two, Paddy has also been terrified about going to the vet and would become quite violent with fear.  Thanks to Mikey’s confidence and understanding, Paddy is now able to enter the vet practice happily. Thank you so much Mikey, we are delighted.

Mikey was recommended by a friend who had done some training sessions with him. We had an issue with our younger dog being anxious and barking at my Husband and various other random things. Mikey helped me to understand that the problem was mostly mine and I was communicating that to her. We have had 4 sessions and have built both of our confidence. The barking has reduced drastically and she is more confident and more relaxed.

Mikey has quickly picked up the problem and given us the tools to deal with it. We will be booking some more sessions over the next few months just to hone my skills and make sure we continue to build our confidence.

My recent consultation with Mikey was so helpful and really helped us get off to a great start with our new puppy. From day one he has slept in his crate at night, with minimal night waking – thanks to Mikey’s advice our pup settled in very quickly. He gave me confidence and a great toolkit of advice which as a first-time dog owner, has been invaluable. And it’s also reassuring to know we can ask for advice when picking up supplies. Thank you!

Our cockapoo puppy Maggie is full of energy and personality, but in the early days we were struggling. We’d tried a trainer before who was very treat-focused, but it just didn’t work for her.

A family friend and now the best trainer going – and I promise, this isn’t a biased review – he’s just that good. From the start, he really watched Maggie, understood her personality, and worked with the psychology of the dog rather than just the behaviour.

The difference has been incredible. She now walks beautifully on the lead, no longer jumps up when we’re eating, is calmer around children, and the night-time barking has stopped.

He’s also always just a phone call away for those random “puppy parent” questions. We’re so grateful for his knowledge, patience, and support – Maggie’s happier, calmer, and so are we! 🐾💛

I attended one of Mikey’s evenings at Bedales, “For the Love of Dogs,” and was immediately struck by the standard of training he demonstrated with his gundog, Digby. Their partnership on stage was exceptional, calm, precise, and built on clear, confident leadership.

Having grown up on a farm surrounded by animals, dogs, horses, and livestock, I assumed I had a solid understanding of animal behaviour. However, working with Mikey made me realise how much more there was to learn, particularly around communication, consistency, and leadership.

I got in touch with him shortly after the talk, and we completed four one-to-one sessions with my whippet, Millie. From the outset, Mikey was excellent at identifying subtle gaps in both my handling and Millie’s responses. His understanding of canine psychology and behaviour is incredibly insightful, and he has a very clear, practical way of explaining things that immediately translates into results.

Millie and I already had a strong bond, as we spend a lot of time trail running together in the South Downs, but Mikey helped refine key areas. In particular, he significantly improved her recall and gave me effective, structured techniques to manage and break her fixation on cats.

Shortly after booking the sessions, I also brought home a new puppy, Pippa, and let Mikey know. What could have been a challenging dynamic was handled brilliantly with his guidance. The relationship between Millie and Pippa was, to put it mildly, very frosty at the start, but with Mikey’s calm, structured advice, it has transformed completely, and they are now the best of friends.

Just as importantly, Mikey helped me become more confident and assertive in my communication, which has had a noticeable impact beyond training sessions.

In just four sessions, the progress we made was significant. Mikey’s approach is calm, consistent, and grounded in a deep understanding of both dogs and human behaviour. I would highly recommend him to anyone, regardless of their starting point. Even if you feel you have a good relationship with your dog, there is always something valuable to learn, and Mikey has a real ability to bring that out.

I can’t thank Mikey enough for helping me with my four-year-old cockatoo. I was at the end of my tether and very anxious about his behaviour. I felt like I tried everything but I had been given and read a lot of confusing and incorrect information regarding training. After one session I could tell it was going to be hugely beneficial for myself and my dog fast forward a few weeks later and I feel like I have a different dog, and now I have a confidence to give my dog the life he deserves without feeling anxious. I highly recommend Mikey if you have any problems that you may feel can’t be solved don’t be embarrassed make the call as you won’t regret it. Thank you for being so helpful and making everything so much better for me and my beloved dog.

Mikey has been an exceptional trainer and source of knowledge and experience for me as I got my first puppy this year. His approach based around the psychology of the dog and owner has allowed me to step change how I have trained my now 6 month old puppy. I am now a confident owner with a brilliant dog. Thank you!

We decided on getting a Dachshund but not just one, we walked away with two beautiful girls. Mabel and Margo.
Needless to say we needed a little help with their behaviour, but also we needed some training ourselves. We were recommended that we contact Mikey to help and we are so glad we did. Even tho he was shocked we got two…. 🙂
Mikey from the get go was full of so much knowledge about the breed and everything he said made complete sense.
We still have some tweaking to do but I feel so much confident walking them now.
Hoping to book in for some recall work soon!
Thanks so much Mikey!!!

Mikey has been an absolute god send. I have a reactive Labrador and believe me I have tried a few trainers in the local area who have all been lovely but working with Mikey has made the most different for Lola and I.

I can now happily walk past another dog in the street with Lola calmly without her wanting to try and eat them, don’t get me wrong she’s not always perfect but with the techniques and with everything Mikey has taught me it’s so much easier than it was at the beginning of the year.

If you are looking for a behaviourist and feel like you are at your wits end with your dog, PLEASE reach out to Mikey you won’t regret it!

I cannot thank Mikey enough for everything

Also, amazing selection of treats in the shop too, especially the peanut butter rolls!

Thanks so much Mikey, our spaniel was stubborn, a fussy eater and difficult to manage off lead sometimes. your training sessions have helped us all overcome that and you have helped me understand where I was going wrong.

We are all much happier as a result! highly recommend your 1-2-1 sessions.

Puppy Blues are gone!

I was at my Witt’s end, my puppy was more like a Kite when out walking and it wasn’t a pleasant experience, I just wasn’t looking forward to walking anymore.

I came across a Post from Animal crackers and contacted Mikey… from the first session I could see the improvement! he can keep all 4 paws on the floor and walk nicely! we had a few sessions with just the Puppy and then added my 2 adult dogs into the mix and I can now walk them all together

confidently and more importantly it’s an enjoyable experience! yes, we still have work to do as he’s become a rebellious teenager, but I now have the tools to cope with it.

I can highly recommend Mikey to assist you and give you the tools to work with your dog to better your lives together.

I will be back in contact as the Puppy grows up for more sessions if needed