A Cumbrian dog trainer has been named one of the best in the country.

Larl Canine Co, an Aspatria-based dog training company owned by Marianne Anderson, has been awarded the ‘Leading Canine Behaviourist of the Year 2023’ award at the UK Enterprise Awards in July.

Marianne received the impressive title in the seventh year of the annual UK Small Enterprise Awards, and the event is intended to celebrate the hard work and credibility of SMEs across the UK.

A spokesperson from Larl Canine Co said “(The business) takes pride in its approach of untangling the underlying causes that create aggression, frustration and anxieties, devising strategies for frustrated Fidos, reactive Rovers, and their owners to implement.

“Through this, Marianne empowers owners to better understand their puppers, aiming to develop confidence and indifference in dogs that would’ve once displayed fear in unfamiliar situations and environments.

“This recognition from the UK Small Enterprise Awards is testament to the community that Cumbrias Larl Canine Co has established, with many happy pooches and owners taking part in one-one sessions, training walks, and group classes in different locations across the region - there’s even a Larl Canine coffee club for ‘puppuccino’ enthusiasts.

“All sessions are inclusive, welcoming, and friendly, often involving cake, and they provide valuable interaction for owners who may be experiencing similar issues with their beloved pets.”

Having represented Cumbria at Crufts in 2020 as a dog parkour instructor and assessor, Marianne is also a therapy dog trainer and assessor for PAWS CIC, and she works with many rescues including RSPCA and Bedlington Terrier Rescue Foundation.

She commented: “Ensuring harmonious dog-dog relationships are my priority, as well as seeing owners develop a meaningful relationship with their pets.

“It’s an added benefit to know that I’ve brought 'reactive' dog guardians together via my social walks for antisocial dogs and the Larl Canine Coffee Club - it's so rewarding to see so-called ‘aggressive’ dogs sharing space, socialising and making friends confidently, and does wonders for carers to meet other people with empathy and patience who have faced and overcome similar challenges.”