The Cornerstone
Where every well-behaved dog begins.
Foundation Dog Obedience Training · Jacksonville, NC
Every great dog has a foundation beneath them, and the Cornerstone is where we lay it. This is our foundation program, built for puppies, newly adopted dogs, and any owner who wants to start the right way rather than undo the wrong way later.
What the Cornerstone builds
Over this program, your dog learns nine core commands alongside the leash manners, impulse control, and household structure that turn daily life from a negotiation into a partnership. Your dog will come when called, sit and stay until released, leave temptations alone, keep four paws on the floor instead of jumping on guests, wait politely at doors instead of bolting through them, and walk beside you on a loose leash rather than dragging you down the street.
These are not tricks. They are the everyday fluencies that make a dog a genuine pleasure to live with, and they are the groundwork that everything else in your dog's life will be built upon. We treat them with exactly that level of care.
The Nine Commands
The complete foundation your dog masters during the Cornerstone, taught on leash through calm, reward-based work.
01
Come
A dependable recall that brings your dog back to you when called.
02
Sit
Sitting on cue and holding the position until released.
03
Stay
Remaining in place until you return and release.
04
Leave It
Calmly ignoring food, objects, and distractions on cue.
05
Off
Keeping all four paws on the floor, off people and furniture.
06
Walk Nice
Relaxed, loose-leash walking at your pace without pulling.
07
Door Manners
Pausing politely at doors and thresholds rather than bolting through.
08
Jumping Manners
Greeting people calmly without jumping up.
09
Leash Manners
Attentive, well-mannered behavior on leash in low distraction setting.
The right place to begin
WHO IS IT FOR
The Cornerstone is the right starting point for a young puppy beginning life on the right foot, for a rescue settling into a new home, and for any dog and owner in the Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, or Wilmington area who wants a strong, dependable foundation to build on.
If you are not sure whether your dog needs the Cornerstone or something more advanced, that is exactly what our assessment and your consultation are for. We will point you honestly toward the program that truly fits.
Choose your format
The Cornerstone is available as an immersive board and train or as hands-on private lessons. Both build the same foundation.
BOARD & TRAIN
$2,500
Three Weeks
Your dog returns home fluent in the foundation, and you leave fully coached on how to maintain it.
Three weeks of in-home board and train
All nine core commands
Daily training photos and videos
A weekly Saturday phone update
A full go-home coaching session
Digital training handbook
Support for the next three months.
Payment plans are available, and a second dog from the same household receives ten percent off. We will walk you through every option during your consultation.