- Kennel Club Young Person of the Year Community Award 2021
Hoopers is a low-impact sport that’s all about teamwork, communication, and flow. With wide tunnels, hoops, and barrels, dogs of all ages and breeds can enjoy the challenge without the physical strain of jumping. It’s a chance to channel energy, build focus, and strengthen your bond while having fun together.
Because courses are designed to be smooth and flowing, Hoopers helps dogs learn to think ahead, make choices, and move with confidence. For owners, it’s about discovering new ways to connect with your dog and celebrate the joy of working as a team.
As with all our activities, we keep things safe, supportive, and positive—so both you and your dog can relax and enjoy the process. And to mark your progress, you’ll work through the Barking Mad Hoopers Awards, collecting rosettes at every level.
Ready to get started?
Welcome to the exciting world of canine hoopers! This popular, low-impact sport is a fantastic way to bond with your dog while providing them with mental and physical stimulation. At Barking Mad, all of our training is safe, scientifically backed, and non-aversive. We use positive methods to guide you and your dog through our courses in our covered arena, ensuring all-weather fun. We've also created the Barking Mad Hoopers Awards to celebrate your progress, with a certificate and rosette awarded upon completion of each level. Our six-week course costs just £85 and includes everything you need to get started. Ready to give it a try?
Dog Parkour is all about turning the world into your playground. From hopping onto a low wall to weaving around trees or balancing on a bench, everyday environments become opportunities for fun, discovery, and teamwork.
More than just exercise, Parkour works both body and brain. It builds confidence, encourages problem-solving, and helps dogs learn to move with control and focus. Because everything is done on lead, it’s also a fantastic option for dogs who need more space or aren’t ready for off-lead environments.
Each Parkour challenge strengthens your dog’s trust in you, while giving them safe outlets for energy and curiosity. And as you progress through the Barking Mad Parkour levels, you’ll earn rosettes that celebrate not just skill, but the journey you’ve taken together.
Ready to get started?
Sometimes, training isn’t about solving problems - it’s about having fun together. Our Tricks classes are all about play, laughter, and trying something new with your dog. Big or small, young or old, every dog can enjoy learning tricks, and every owner can enjoy the joy that comes with them.
Trick training builds more than party pieces. It strengthens your bond, boosts your dog’s confidence, and gives them an outlet for their energy and curiosity. It’s a chance for you both to celebrate small wins, learn to problem-solve together, and see just how much your dog is capable of.
As you work your way through the Barking Mad Trick Awards, you’ll collect rosettes that mark your progress. But the real reward is the happiness on your dog’s face - and the smiles you’ll share along the way.
Ready to get started?
Throughout the year, we run our very own Hoopers shows - designed to be fun, supportive, and welcoming for everyone. These events are the perfect opportunity to put the skills you’ve built in class into practice, test your teamwork in a real course environment, and celebrate just how far you and your dog have come.
Our shows aren’t about high pressure or chasing perfection - they’re about enjoying the challenge, cheering each other on, and discovering the thrill of running a course together. With a friendly atmosphere and like-minded dog lovers, they’re a brilliant way to gain confidence, meet others, and take your Hoopers journey to the next level.
Ready to get started?
Take your Hoopers journey online with our dedicated Hoopers membership group. With step-by-step training videos, you can follow along at your own pace, wherever you are. Share your progress, post videos for feedback, and get guidance from our experienced Hoopers trainers. You can also work towards your Barking Mad Hoopers Awards while enjoying the support of a friendly, like-minded community - all for just £6.99 a month.
Bring the joy of trick training into your home with our Tricks membership group. Packed with easy-to-follow videos, you and your dog can learn new tricks whenever it suits you. Ask questions, share your progress, and get personal feedback from our dedicated Tricks trainers. You’ll be working towards your Barking Mad Trick Awards while having fun and strengthening your bond - all for only £6.99 a month.
Turn everyday walks into adventures with our Parkour membership group. Follow along with our online training videos at your own pace, learning how to safely and creatively use your environment. Share your videos for trainer feedback, ask questions, and progress through the Barking Mad Parkour Awards. With expert guidance and a supportive community, you’ll build your dog’s confidence and skills for just £6.99 a month.
Can’t decide? Join all three groups - Hoopers, Tricks, and Parkour - for just £17.99 a month. With access to every set of training videos, dedicated trainers, and award pathways, you’ll have endless opportunities to learn, play, and grow with your dog. Train anywhere, anytime, with the support of our expert team and community behind you.
Barking Mad Dog Services, located just outside Mold in Flintshire, specialises in hoopers, trick training, and other dog related events and workshops. Their approach is centred on fun and positive reinforcement, and they believe that dogs and their owners can learn together in an enjoyable way.
As dedicated trainers, they make sure to stay up-to-date with the latest training techniques by participating in regular courses and workshops. Whether you’re looking for hoopers classes, trick training, or attending a dog related event or workshop, Barking Mad Dog Services can provide a tailored solution that fits your needs.
Barking Mad Dog Services is proud to call Cae Hic Livery & Riding Centre (CH7 4NS) our training ground in Treuddyn, North Wales.
This safe and secure facility provides the perfect environment for dogs of all breeds and ages to learn and play. Our experienced trainers use positive reinforcement methods to help your furry friend thrive.
Thanks for your interest! We’re barking mad to hear from you and happy to help in any way we can. Whether you have a question, some feedback, or just want to chat, we’d love to hear from you.
We’ll get back to you as soon as we have a spare paw!
Heather, who has recently moved into a new home with her family, has a full house. Along with her three dogs - Lupa, a high-energy Malinois; Falkor, a Miniature American Shepherd with a big personality; and Rebel, a feisty miniature Poodle - her family now includes two sheep and many ducks.
Heather has a long history of dog training and has competed in both obedience and agility. However, when Lupa sustained a shoulder injury during an agility session, it appeared their competitive days were over.
Determined to find a low-impact activity to keep Lupa mentally and physically engaged, Heather discovered the sport of Hoopers. What began as a solution to help Lupa stay active quickly became Heather’s new passion. She loved the sport so much that she decided to become a qualified instructor to share it with other dog owners.
In November 2018, Heather officially became an accredited Hoopers instructor. While older dogs can still compete, Heather has made the decision to retire Lupa from competition due to his 'go hard or go home' nature, ensuring he stays healthy for years to come.
Her new competing partner is the small but mighty Rebel. In their first two competitions, the pair have already proven to be a formidable team, securing first, second, and fourth place finishes.
Rhian and her family have a busy and loving household with their five dogs: Sherlock and Watson, who are Lurchers; Quill and Hiccup, who are lively Miniature American Shepherds; and Darwin, a Miniature Dachshund.
Rhian is an expert at trick training, and her dogs have mastered impressive skills. At only seven months old, Rhian and Quill became certified Trick Experts with Do More With Your Dog (DMWYD) and Trick Dog Performers with the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Relatively new to the sport of Hoopers, Rhian and her dogs have already achieved numerous awards and enjoy the thrill of competition. Hiccup is following in her sibling Quill's footsteps, earning Hoopers awards and AKC trick dog titles. Darwin will also be trying Hoopers, tricks and other dog sports to find the one he enjoys most.
Rhian’s passion for dog sports extends beyond training; she is also a qualified UK Hoopers judge and took charge of her first competition in April 2021. In recent years, Rhian has built her behaviour knowledge by completing a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation. She is now pursuing a teaching degree to further strengthen her skills and pass on her dog training knowledge.
Emily, a devoted dog lover, shares her home with a delightful pack. Her dogs include Charlie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and the newest member, Jigsaw, a Border Collie.
Training is one of Emily’s passions. Charlie has achieved the Kennel Club Good Citizen Gold Award, a testament to her dedication. The pair also enjoys activities like Heelwork to Music, tricks, and even parkour-inspired moves on their walks. Emily and Jigsaw are continuing their trick training and Heelwork to Music, and have entered their first competitions. They hope to compete in the Young Kennel Club ring soon.
Emily’s love for dogs extends beyond her own. Her commitment to the community earned her the Kennel Club Young Person of the Year Community Award in 2021 for her volunteer work with dogs and local charities.
Coming soon
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