A leading dog welfare charity will be doing more to help its pooches to find forever homes after opening a new training facility at a Norfolk rehoming centre.

Dogs Trust Snetterton opened its Training Barn, which will help to train and rehabilitate some of the 67 dogs currently in its care to help increase their chances of finding a new home.

The barn, funded by supporters of the charity, will be particularly useful for canines with specific behavioural needs.

It was officially opened on Friday, May 13 by Dogs Trust CEO Adrian Burder and some of the rehoming centre's furry charges.

Diane McLelland-Taylor, Dogs Trust Snetterton rehoming centre manager, said: 'We are delighted to unveil our brand new Training Barn, especially as we know the promise it offers the dogs in our care.

'All of us at the rehoming centre have been looking forward to this day, ever since the first brick was laid in October last year. This facility will give us the space and tools we need to continue providing specialist training.

'Training is at the forefront of responsible dog ownership. It not only encourages good behaviour and obedience, but also provides a great way for humans and canines to bond.'

In 2015 22pc of the dogs handed over to Dogs Trust Snetterton needed further behavioural training which their owners could no longer manage. Staff at the rehoming centre hope the new facilities will ensure every dog gets the extra training they need to get them ready for rehoming.

Up to three dogs will be able use the Training Barn at a time, and they will also be able to experience private training and experiment with the wide selection of agility equipment.

At the official opening of the barn, guests were treated to a behind the scenes tour of the rehoming centre, met with some of the dogs who will benefit most from the Training Barn and also watched a training session with training and behaviour assistant Daniel Thompson and his two dogs, ex-Dogs Trust resident Mavis and Mille the Border Collie.

Dogs Trust, the UK's top dog welfare charity, currently looks after nearly 1,600 dogs.

Homeless hounds cared for by the trust undergo many different types of training with training and behaviour advisors, from recall and canine socialisation, to more simple techniques such as sit and stay, and more challenging training such as conquering fears and learning to trust people again.

Have you rehomed a pooch from Dogs Trust Snetterton? Email bethany.whymark@archant.co.uk.