A DOG training academy has celebrated a hugely successful five years with the graduation of its 100th puppy group.

Little Oliver Twists are a dog training academy based in Maldon, covering the rest of the district and other areas of central Essex.

It was first started up by Katie O’Reilly in the summer of 2012, training in Maldon and Mundon, offering courses to puppies and adolescent dogs including lead pulling, recall, barking, puppy biting, toilet training rescue dog training and noise and car phobias.

On Friday at the fitness centre in Park Drive, Maldon, the academy held a graduation ceremony for its 100th group of puppies to graduate through their training for the Kennel Club Citizen Award, which Little Oliver Twists are part of.

The 100th group featured a variety of puppy breeds including pugs, Labradors and English bull dogs.

Katie O'Reilly said: “It’s been a wonderful five years, they’ve simply flown by since I first started up this academy.

“All of a sudden I realised this would be the hundredth group we’ve had successfully pass all courses needed for the citizen award, and thought we need to make it special.

“Each group’s training lasts around eight weeks, and at the moment we have new ones signing up to go all the time, so it’s a constant flow of puppies raring to go.

“Nothing makes me more proud to see them succeed, and I’m so grateful for all the interest and support over the last five years, here’s to five more.”

All pictures by Charlotte Hill, of Little Smilers.