STAFFORDSHIRE Bull Terrier Macie used to be badly behaved, but is now winning obedience awards.

Science teacher Joanna Jenkinson and her husband, Wayne, of Stanley, acquired the bitch about a year ago from a couple who could not cope with her.

"It became apparent they had not trained her,'' said Mrs Jenkinson, 27. "She still was not house-trained, couldn't walk on a lead and had no idea what a toy was or how to play. It was very sad.

"She couldn't be left alone, and lots of things were chewed. She pulled the neighbour's fence down.''

Mrs Jenkinson approached some dog trainers in the hope of improving Macie's behaviour, but she said they told her Macie could not be improved.

Now Macie has passed a bronze Kennel Club award for obedience and is to take her silver test in a few weeks.

"Eventually, I found a trainer at Roshaana K9, at Leadgate, and a lady called Linda took her on,'' said Mrs Jenkinson. "Macie goes once a week. She is so much better behaved now, although she still has her moments. She is soft as muck - you can get licked to death - and she plays with toys now and has loads of squeakies.

"To get the bronze award is quite an achievement in the doggy world. You hear so many horrid stories of abused dogs but this is a happy one,'' said Mrs Jenkinson, who hopes Macie will go on to win gold."