DOG obedience training may conjure up starchy Barbara Woodhouse-style images, but according to one Nelson group the secret of success is to play with your pets.

The Nelson Dog Obedience Club, based at Marsden Community Centre, is celebrating its 35th anniversary by appealing to owners to invest time in training their pets.

People of all ages and with all breeds of dog are welcome to go along and join the classes, which attract members from as far away as Earby, Blackburn and Clitheroe.

According to trainers at the club no breed of dog is untrainable and star members in the past have included chihuahuas, corgis and even poodles.

The club, which is registered with the national Kennel Club, holds regular sessions for beginners in the field of obedience training and also holds training sessions and contests for people who compete at national level.

But committee member Freda White, 56, who attends the sessions with her border collie Jessie, says training is good for every dog owner and could help avoid headlines by making dogs less aggressive.

She also claims the secret to success in making a dog obedient is to use play as a reward.

Freda, of Brantfell Drive, Burnley, said: "Any dog can be a success with obedience training, we have had people who have competed with all sorts of breeds. It just depends how much time the owner puts in.

"Dogs sometimes get a bad Press when you read about attacks in the headlines, but owners can do a lot to make their dogs better behaved by going to some classes.

"We like to promote responsible dog ownership because if you can train your dog and keep it under control there's a much smaller chance of it behaving badly.

"We have had some real problem dogs brought here and seen them make big improvements. The best way to train is to use play as a reward and form a bond with the animal.

"If dogs are socialised from a young age that can prevent problems developing later on and we do a lot of work with people with new puppies, even if they just come to a few sessions.

"I originally came down with a new puppy to teach her a few manners and I ended up staying for years and doing shows."

The organisation is holding its next enrolment night on June 22.

Freda added: "Anyone is welcome to come down, or they could even come and watch a session without their dog before they make up their minds."

For details about the club call Kath on 01282 602972 or Jo on 01282 428049.