Words by Nicola Murray
James Cockerill was 21 when he was diagnosed with cancer.
After beating it initially, it came back as stage four just before the start of the first lockdown. James decided to get a dog, Frankie, who was around 16 weeks old.
While Frankie was beginning her new life, James was facing his own battle. Eventually, he underwent a stem cell transplant that, thankfully, was successful in getting rid of the cancer.
But receiving the all-clear brought on its own unexpected challenges.
“It was harder after getting the all-clear because of the constant fear that the cancer would come back,” said James. “I would stand in front of the mirror for hours and hours prodding at my neck for signs that it had come back.”
He was struggling, until one night Frankie intervened. “She came up to me and started barking at me,” tells James. “Then every time I touched my neck, she would grab my hand.”
For James, Frankie gave him something that cancer had taken away: a sense of purpose.
“It wasn’t the drugs that saved my life, it was Frankie,” he adds. “She gave me something to get up for.”
It was this experience that would ultimately change the direction of his life.
Once his body had recovered, James began a dog training business, James and Frankie.
Over half of his clients are from Erdington, where he has family and spends much of his time; often sparking conversations with fellow dog owners.
With the business, his motivation was not simply to teach obedience, but to help owners understand their dogs on a deeper level. James believes that dogs can often be misunderstood, with behaviours dismissed as stubbornness or boredom when they may actually be signs of fear or stress.
His approach, which he calls the Communicative Learning Theory, focuses on understanding the reason behind the dog’s behaviour before trying to change it. He doesn’t believe in aversive training. “My training is about learning a different language. Not Commands. Not Corrections. Communication,” he says. “Understanding why your dog is scared or anxious helps build a stronger connection.”
James’ philosophy is explored further in his book, Beyond Obedience, which he said he wrote to “raise awareness to the alternative approaches to dog training.”
For James, this philosophy is personal.
When Frankie first arrived, she was frightened and shy and would hide from anyone carrying a walking stick. On her first holiday to Newquay, she was particularly scared of people carrying surfboards. Rather than simply correcting her behaviour, James adapted his approach to understanding why she was reacting that way and why she had these fears.
Today, Frankie would be unrecognisable from that frightened rescue dog.
“She is the most confident, independent and funny dog you could meet,” tells James.
This experience has also inspired James to work with rescue organisations, including Paws Help in Burton and Brighter Days Rescue in Penkridge, supporting dogs that have been displaced by war, as well as dogs that have been abandoned or abused.
“I want to help give all dogs a chance at a better life because Frankie saved mine.”
James has seen first-hand how dogs can benefit the mental health of owners. He has seen how dogs have helped his clients too, especially with grief.
Research supports the idea that pets play an important role in people’s wellbeing. The PDSA’s 2021 PAW Report found that 87 per cent of pet owners agreed that having a pet made them mentally healthier.
For James, the bond between dog and owner is something that should not be underestimated. “Dogs are part of the family,” he states, “not just a pet.”
James reiterates the importance of patience when it comes to building a connection with your dog. “You need time to understand each other,” he adds. “Dogs are not judgemental, so we should see them the same way.”
A psychological study from 2018, published in BMC Psychiatry, corroborates this. It found that pets are ‘non-judgemental’ and that they ‘provide unconditional love and affection.’
Looking to the future, James is hoping to expand his business and is looking for land to create a permanent base for clients, and where he can continue to do what he loves.
But despite his lofty ambitions, his message remains simple.
“Progress isn’t linear. You have good days and bad days, and your dog would never abandon you because you’re having a bad day. Sometimes a dog doesn’t just live with you. Sometimes a dog holds you together.”
To find out more about James and Frankie, visit www.jamesandfrankie.co.uk
