Dog Training School granted permission to expand

Cath Phillips training a German Shepherd dog

On Track Dog Training School has been granted planning permission to expand at their Smallbridge site. The school was set up in 2000 in Smallbridge, Rochdale by its founder, Cath Phillips with the aim of bringing a reward-based method of training to local dog owners. From its humble beginnings the school has grown considerably and now has a purpose built training area, but needed to expand further to accommodate demand.

Councillors put the planning application on hold last month and organised a site visit, but after visiting the site approval was granted.

Cath Phillips said: "We are very pleased that the planning application has been passed, we have spent seven years developing the training and it would have all been lost if we didn’t get permission, hence we are relieved and thank the people that came to visit and look around for being very supportive.

"This a great opportunity for us because we can develop the behaviour consulting clinic, which means that people can come here where we will have all the facilities and the room to train. I have a degree in canine clinical behaviour and now we can offer first class facilities along with expertise in both practical and theoretical training.

"We can do all this at affordable prices such as £25 as opposed to other behaviourists who charge anything from £250 - £350 pound per visit - which the vast majority of people can’t afford.

"We are also now setting up a walking scheme to help socialise dogs with other dogs outside, in a controlled fashion."

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/Business/web_page.asp?ID=8203