Rockwood Dog Training is based in Caerphilly, South Wales. The training
centre is located at the base of a beautiful mountain valley and although set in
lush welsh countryside is just minutes from the centre of Cardiff. It has good
access off Blackbrook Road with a car parking area. The training takes place
indoors with a purpose built three span Polly tunnel with astro turf
floor which provides a large and ample area protected from the weather. At one
end we have a tiered viewing gallery, which seats seventy people. It is used for
talks, seminars and for members of the family to watch their dog working during
class. At the other end we have two private consultation rooms and a photo room
which is used for the registration of dogs for filming. We also have a one acre
fenced off are for outdoor training during the summer months.
Rockwood is a family business run by Martin, his wife Ellen and eldest
daughter Ellen. Martin Winfield has been training dogs from childhood and worked
in Kingston, Canada training dogs for security within the prison and commercial
sector. After leaving the RAF in 1982 he started training his own dogs and
appeared with them on National TV. Martin was constantly asked how to train dogs
and decided with his wife Ellen Winfield to set up Rockwood Dog Training in
1985. From the onset the classes proved to be a massive success. Martins
and Ellen's versatility, positive training of handlers and dogs soon gave owners
a chance to make a real connection with their dogs. It wasn't long before before
Martin was providing private lessons for dogs with behavioural problems.
Sometimes as it became apparent in some of the classes dog owners would need
just a little bit more help and confidence on their own before attending a
class. In many cases Martin would find that many of the psychological problems
would stem from the owners house, so in 1990 he started to provide home visits.
At Rockwood Dog Training we pride ourselves with the style of
training that we provide. Be under no illusion there is no quick fix solution,
it takes hard work, motivation and lots of patients to achieve a well trained
dog. With the advent of many TV programmes covering dog training it can
easily appear that behaviour problems can be solved overnight. Much of the hard
work and time that has to be put in has been edited out. Our Instructors are
here to train you how to train your dog. As you are learning a new skill, just
like with any other skill, it will take time. One your handler skills have been
developed, only then will you start to see the benefit of your instruction.
In 1986 Martin was asked to supply 12 dogs for a TV Film called Time Riders.
This was to be the start of a long relationship with the TV and Film Industry
spanning over 25 years.
Rockwood Animals On Film has worked with most of
the major production companies in the UK supplying a variety of animals. Their
dogs have worked with some of Britain's Top actors including Sir Anthony Hopkins,
Peter O'Toole, Kenneth Brenner, Rhys Efans and many more. In conjunction with
this Martin has made many personal appearances on national TV. and featured on
The National Geographic Channel, "Dogs with Jobs".
In 1985 Martins amazing dog Troy performed a spectacular
tight rope walk on the Esther Ranson Show,"That's Life",which was unique at the
time. It wasn't long
before Troy was being asked to perform at show's and gala's around the country.
Martin and his wife Ellen was then asked by some of the clients that was
attending the classes if they too could get involved and so
The Rockwood Dog
Display Team was formed. Since then the team has had no
less than four Royal Performances demonstrating their skills all over the UK
including Ireland and the Channel Isles. In 2004 the team was asked to
display their canine wizardry live at the NEC,
Crufts dog show in Birmingham. All the team had a great reception
and due to popular demand have been asked back over the last four years.
Copyright © 2008 Rockwood Dog
Training. All rights reserved.