This is where the bond begins.
Dogs are family. And they deserve more than commands.
Explore our services
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I offer something called Find Your Companion. This isn’t just matchmaking. I sit down with you. We talk. I learn who you are, what your days look like, what kind of energy you live with — and what kind of presence you might need beside you. Then I find the right breed. The right breeder. I train them. I help shape them into the dog that can walk into your life and belong there.
I didn’t become a dog trainer because I loved dogs. I became one because a dog saved me. When I was going through cancer, everything I knew about myself was stripped away. The energy. The confidence. The certainty. Most days I didn’t even recognise the person in the mirror. But there was one constant: my dog.
She didn’t care what I looked like. She didn’t care if I couldn’t speak or move or get out of bed on time. She just stayed close. She showed up — every day — without needing anything from me but presence. And somehow, that was enough to keep me going.
That bond changed me. It taught me that dogs aren’t just pets. They’re not just animals you feed and walk. They’re something else. They carry something — love, loyalty, stillness — that most of us don’t even know we need until it’s there.
Let me do the same for you.
If that’s something you’ve been thinking about, I’d love to talk.
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Training should feel like a partnership, not a power struggle. We focus on trust, consistency, and clarity — helping you and your dog work together, not against each other. Our 1:1 in-person training is fully personalised to you and your dog. We focus on understanding your dog, building a strong connection, and creating real-life results through calm, practical, hands-on coaching tailored to your needs.
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Train your dog on your schedule. Our online training is convenient, pressure-free, and designed for busy lives — with the same proven material as in-person training, including personalised training plans, step-by-step videos, coaching calls, and 24/7 support.
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Beginner, intermediate or advanced. Behavioural and sociallisation. Let your dog learn at the pace he wants with other furry friends of his size and or ability. Say no to overcrowded classes learning fancy tricks. At Pupfather, they are small, individual and life learning sessions.
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Wedding day pawtection, by Pupfather ensures your dog is calmly chaperoned , cared for, and perfectly timed throughout your wedding day. You enjoy the moment … We'll handle the doggie.
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Give your dog more than just a walk — give them purpose, structure, and calm. Group walks to socialise with their soon to be friends, or individual for a more personalised experience.
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Fancy something slightly different? Join us for our Canine First Aid Course, Scent Training, Agility or perhaps our Gun Dog Foundations
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Say goodbye to kennels and untrustworthy sitters. Say hello to the professionals who look after your dog, keep them in their routine and letting them make a buddy for life. Keeping them in their familiar surrounds allows them to be at ease throughout your time away from them.
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1. Temperature & Weather Policy
Dog walks nor outside training will not be conducted if the temperature exceeds 21°C between the hours of 8am – 8pm.
Dog walks or outside training will not be carried out if the temperature is below freezing (0°C or lower).
All outdoor walks or training sessions will be cancelled if an official weather warning has been issued or if there is a risk of thunder and lightning.
In adverse weather conditions, an alternative suitable service (e.g., enrichment visit or virtual session) may be offered where possible.
2. Payments
Either full payment or a 50% deposit is required before the first training session, unless agreed otherwise.
Any single/one‑off session must be paid in full at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
Failure to pay within these terms may result in the session being cancelled.
3. Session Changes & Safety
Pup Father Training Academy reserves the right to change any in‑person training session to a virtual session if there is an immediate or potential risk to the health and safety of any person or dog involved.
This may include, but is not limited to, extreme weather, illness, unsafe behaviour, or unexpected environmental hazards.
4. Owner Responsibilities
Owners are obligated to continue training outside of scheduled lessons to support progress and maintain consistency.
If there is evidence that training has not been carried out as instructed, an assessment of the dog may be required to confirm training validity and determine whether adjustments are needed.
5. Refunds & Cancellations
No refunds will be issued for any service once payment has been made.
Sessions may be banked for future use or transferred towards another service of equal or greater value.
Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Any cancellation made within 24 hours of the scheduled session will result in the session being lost.
Rescheduling may be offered depending on availability and adequate notice
6. Liability
While we take every precaution to ensure your dog’s safety, we cannot be held responsible or liable for any injures, illnesses, or unforeseen incidents that my occur during a session. By enrolling your dog you acknowledge and accept this risk.
7. Emergency
In the event of an emergency, we will make every effort to you immediately. If we are unable to reach you, we will seek veterinary care for your dog at our discretion. All associated costs will be the responsibility of the owner.
8. Updates
We reserve the right to update or change these terms at any time. We will notify you of any changes.
9. Leashes, Collars and Equipment
Dogs must wear a properly fitted harness or collar with an identification badge during any outside activity. All dogs remain on the lead unless given permission for off lead walks. No e collars, prong collars, or slip leads. If these are the chose lead, the session will NOT be conducted, and no refund will be given.
Let’s Talk About Your Dog
Got questions? Behaviour challenges? Just want to get it right from the start? Book a free consultation — no pressure, no sales pitch, just a real conversation about what your dog needs.
About Us
The Pupfather Training Academy was born from something real. When founder James was going through the fight of his life, it wasn’t a doctor or a therapist who got him out of bed most days — it was his dog. That loyalty, that presence, that unspoken support — it changed everything. And it’s what drives the way we train today. Because when you’ve been through the hard stuff, you know a dog is never “just a dog.”
I believe most behaviour issues stem from unmet instinctual needs, miscommunication, and fear rather than defiance.
By helping owners understand how dogs experience the world, building trust through consistency and positive reinforcement, and addressing emotional states before obedience, we create calmer, more confident dogs who want to cooperate — not dogs that simply comply.
At Pup Father Training Academy, we believe dogs are more than pets — they are companions for life.
All training should be done from the heart. A dog is not a short-term project or a problem to be fixed, but a lifelong companion. For your dog, you are their constant, their safety, and their whole world. When training is approached with empathy, responsibility, and commitment, it strengthens the bond that lasts for the entirety of the dog’s life — not just the training process.
Let the expert take control… not my words, the words of our clients. Visit our review page… https://www.findadogtrainer.com/dog-trainer/birmingham/james-cockerill
Contact Us
Have a question or want to know more? Get in touch — we’re here to help you take the next step with your dog.