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Does your Dog...

become overexcited when visitors arrive, jumping up & barking?

disappear into the distance when they are off the lead?

bark or lunge at other dogs, people or cars when out and about or at home?

ignore your requests, particularly when chasing the cat or running off with your favourite socks?

Then Cornerstone can really help you correct these unhappy and stressful behaviours. We work with you and your dog and draw upon many calming techniques and strategies

appear to have no “off” switch and is always on the go?

pull on the lead making your daily walks exhausting?

or maybe your dog is a rescue, or generally finds life overwhelming and you’re not sure where to start?

become overexcited when visitors arrive, jumping up & barking?

The Foundational Basics


The A,B,Cs of Cornerstone Training

It all starts with well-being

Awareness


When assessing and evaluating why a dog might be displaying particular behaviours, it's essential to consider both intrinsic factors (like the dog's emotional state and physical health) and extrinsic factors (such as their home environment and relationships with other animals). The setup of their living space significantly affects their success. Connection and attunement to the dog's needs are crucial for their well-being. In our busy lives, it's important to take a moment to pause, as slowing down can benefit both ourselves and our energetic dogs by reducing arousal levels.



Friendly support

Behaviour


Behaviours that we might label undesirable are usually a sign our dog (or human! Our nervous systems are not that different!) are struggling with an unmet need, physical or emotional. Difficulty with focus, engagement and regulating emotions is very common and underpins many unwanted behaviours, and can make life tricky and sometimes downright miserable for everyone in the household. I know, I’ve been there and some days in the Oatley household we still are, but we also have the tools now to navigate our way through the occasional sticky moment.



Understanding your bond

Connection


The bond between you and your dog goes beyond friendship; it's about forming a secure attachment essential for emotional regulation. Connection involves attunement—being seen, heard, and understood—which fosters safety and trust. Building this trust takes time, and misunderstandings can damage it. Allowing your dog choices and listening to their needs helps them gain autonomy and emotional regulation. Creating a safe environment is important for both you and your dog, and Cornerstone aims to provide a welcoming, non-judgmental space for this connection.


Starts with well-being

Awareness


When assessing and evaluating why a dog might be displaying particular behaviours, it's essential to consider both intrinsic factors (like the dog's emotional state and physical health) and extrinsic factors (such as their home environment and relationships with other animals). The setup of their living space significantly affects their success. Connection and attunement to the dog's needs are crucial for their well-being. In our busy lives, it's important to take a moment to pause, as slowing down can benefit both ourselves and our energetic dogs by reducing arousal levels.



Friendly support

Behaviour


Behaviours that we might label undesirable are usually a sign our dog (or human! Our nervous systems are not that different!) are struggling with an unmet need, physical or emotional. Difficulty with focus, engagement and regulating emotions is very common and underpins many unwanted behaviours, and can make life tricky and sometimes downright miserable for everyone in the household. I know, I’ve been there and some days in the Oatley household we still are, but we also have the tools now to navigate our way through the occasional sticky moment.



Understanding your Bond

Connection


The bond between you and your dog goes beyond friendship; it's about forming a secure attachment essential for emotional regulation. Connection involves attunement—being seen, heard, and understood—which fosters safety and trust. Building this trust takes time, and misunderstandings can damage it. Allowing your dog choices and listening to their needs helps them gain autonomy and emotional regulation. Creating a safe environment is important for both you and your dog, and Cornerstone aims to provide a welcoming, non-judgmental space for this connection.


Our Philosophy

What We Offer

Our ApprOAch To DOG TRaining

At Cornerstone our aim is to help your dog develop a strong foundation upon which solid life skills such as sitting quietly in the café (or pub!) or enjoying walks together can be possible.

With gentle, step by step understanding and various exercises and modalities, we work with the dog and their human guardian to discover the causes of the unwanted behaviour, building trust and increasing confidence.

The Initial Assessment session

The initial assessment session  gives us time to meet you and your dog at your home. We may discuss some simple changes to their daily management to really set your dog up for success.

We will also develop an individual training plan  that will include some or all of the following:

Enrichment Activities

This could be anything from snuffle mats, cardboard boxes, likit mats, kongs, scatter feeding etc to help your dog engage their brain and fulfil some of their basic needs. There are so many benefits to this type of activity and its so much fun to do with your dog!

Structured Training of Core Skills

At Cornerstone we believe in laying a strong foundation of education upon which all other learning can build from. This includes skills such as Sit, Down, Settle, Recall, Retrieve, Touch etc

Games Based Training

These games are woven into training, complimenting the more structured skills and really bring the fun, energy and enthusiasm to our sessions!

Proprioception

Whilst we do train specific tasks and skills, some of the learning takes a less formal approach, allowing the dog to take the lead. I particularly love this sort of work as there is no right or wrong, only discovery and new experiences.



I will be adding more information about this on the website soon.


About Me

Sarah and Luna


Who am I? 

My name is Sarah Oatley and I am a Student Trainer currently working towards full accreditation with both ; PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers) and with ABTC (Animal Behaviour Training Council)


I chose to train with PACT partly due to their emphasis on using ethical training methods and their focus on animal welfare.

Several beautiful rescue dogs I’ve had the honour to share my life with have led me to dog training. Grace was my first dog, a springer spaniel rescued directly from the owner at 10months old and incredibly shut down. I so wish I knew back then what I know now, I could have helped her so much more but she certainly taught me a huge amount. Later we had her son, Charlie Brown who we lost recently, aged 14.

Later Pip came on the scene, an ex-breeding bitch who was very tricky for the first few months but turned into the dog of a lifetime. Very sadly we lost her suddenly aged 5 years and so Wilf arrived to try and fill the gaping hole. Wilf is a Springer cross poodle and arrived with us as a 12 week old puppy and a total force of nature and has shown me the importance of emotional regulation and teaching your dog how to settle.


Shortly after, Luna also arrived from Portugal. A small dog with huge attitude. I have had to learn so many more skills in order to be able to help her navigate her way through life and to interact with the outside world, and she continues to be an incredible teacher. I fully understand how rewarding taking on a rescue dog can be but I also understand the flip side, all the frustration & hard work that goes with it.


In addition to the dogs, I have spent a huge chunk of my childhood and working life with horses. I have worked mainly with youngsters, racehorses, re-training ex racehorses and helping “problem” horses. I have a BSc (hons) Equine Science from Bristol University.


Similar to my passion for rescue dogs,

ex racehorses have a special place in my heart, often being misunderstood and given negative labels for their behaviour.

Pricing and The Packages

Scroll from left to right to find information:

Initial Assessment – 1.5 hours £55

Getting together


Meeting you and your dog at your home, to discuss the issues you are experiencing and build a plan of how we can start heading in the right direction.



New Client Form

Block of 3 sessions – 50 mins - £120

This is our Most Popular Package


There are no quick fixes for turning around unwanted behaviours and to achieve the changes we want to make will require an investment of time from you. All of us lead busy lives these days and whilst training plans don’t have to be huge and unachievable, consistency and regular input is required, even if that’s only a few minutes every day. Building trust and rewiring behaviour patterns can take some time and I feel that offering single lessons would not set you or your dog up for success. 


Any Questions?

Follow up Support and Guidance


Summaries of our lessons will be provided with handouts (where applicable) and step-by-step instructions for exercises we have used in our time together. I am also available via whatsapp or email in between lessons for trouble shooting and for you to send progress reports. I love to see videos of how you are getting on with your homework.



Please Contact Me

Cornerstone Foundation Plan

Initial Assessment plus 5 x sessions


Specifically for rescue dogs or adolescent / adult dogs with no prior training history or foundation skills to build upon.


Rescue dogs often arrive with us not knowing their names or having any understanding of what is expected of them. They may feel completely overwhelmed, scared and confused making training almost impossible as they are unable to focus on what you are asking.

The additional sessions in this plan give us more breathing space, allowing your dog the time they need to “learn how to learn” and discover how life can be safe and joyful instead of stressful and overwhelming.


New Client Form

Please download, and print this form. When you have filled it in, please return to me. Thank you.

Download File

Please Contact Me

I mainly work within an estimated 10 Mile radius of Coxley Wick, Somerset.

This includes; Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street, Cheddar, Wedmore,

Mark, Priddy and Somerton

I mainly work within an estimated 10 Mile radius of Coxley Wick, Somerset.

This area includes; Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street, Cheddar, Wedmore,

Mark, Priddy and Somerton

I mainly work within an estimated 10 Mile radius of Coxley Wick, Somerset.

This area includes; Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street, Cheddar, Wedmore,

Mark, Priddy and Somerton

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