ther is bound to be someone on her from your neck of the woods geordies love all that stuff been to bedlington a good few times how far from the dog track are you,also is the dog going to be a pup if so dont go starting it to early take it on a lead and let it watch other dogs working if you have some luck then let it mooch and do its own thing ,if you can try and let it start catching rats when it has got its adult teeth 5-7 months much better.have a look around must be plenty of farms were you are take a few trips out and ask for permission you never know.