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.