They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Norwich Evening News: Penny Laverick (left)has set up a dog dance keep fit group.Penny with Mandy Wiles,Christine Barton and Julie Ainsworth.Penny Laverick (left)has set up a dog dance keep fit group.Penny with Mandy Wiles,Christine Barton and Julie Ainsworth. (Image: © Archant 2014)

But one animal enthusiast is confident she can teach some four-legged friends some new moves – as well as their two legged handlers – when she launches a unique new canine class in Bradwell.

Professional dog trainer Penny Laverick is inviting well-mannered pets and their owners to put a new spring in their step at her Dog Dance-a-Cise classes.

The 64-year-old described the lessons as music and movement incorporating dogs.

The classes are open to handlers of all abilities and she stressed they would not be like the high-energy routines of famous pair Ashleigh and Pudsey, who won Britain's Got Talent in 2012.

Penny said: 'The dogs will be taught moves but it's not like Pudsey. They'll be spinning, walking backwards, weaving and they're going to be more exaggerated so we're stretching ourselves.'

The classes developed out of Penny's group In the Pink, an all-female team of dog owners who perform heel work with their pets to music.

The ladies have had a busy summer season performing at charity events across the region but were keen to take a new tack in 2015.

Penny, who runs the Norfolk and Suffolk Dog School, said: 'We were going to work on an all-new routine for next year but I suddenly thought let's do something a bit different to keep us all moving, because we're all of a certain age.

'My idea was that instead of heel work to music we would have In the Pink does dog dance-a-cise.

'It's not a keep fit class, neither is it a dog training class. It's a new fun class for owners who want to do an activity with their dogs following on from previous training. If people have done basic training with their dogs but they aren't fit enough to do agility, this is for them.'

Penny, from Oulton Broad, hopes the classes can go on to form a new display demonstration to take to events next year, so there was a level of commitment needed from participants and their pals.

She also stressed lessons were only suitable to dogs who got on with other four-legged friends.The classes start on Monday and are being held at the community centre in Mill Lane, Bradwell. Places are limited.

For more information and to book your place call Penny on 01502 560013.

?Log on to www.greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk to see a video of the In the Pink team demonstrating moves from the new classes.