Graeme ‘the Dogfather’ Hall : “Owners usually need instruction more than their pets do!”

TV's top dog trainer Graeme Hall, aka 'The Dogfather' discusses working on Dogs Behaving Badly and his recent podcast, Talking Dogs

Graeme Hall, The Dogfather

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You may recognise Graeme Hall (54) from his role as top trainer on Dogs Behaving Badly, a programme in which naughty pets (and owners) get the expert help they need to become the perfect canine companion.

We get his words of wisdom on dog training, and find out more about his recently launched pooch training podcast.

Such is Graeme's uncanny ability to get inside the heads of our canine friends, we reckon he must have been a mutt in a former life!

The amiable, nattily dressed Yorkshireman, who has a huge following with his Channel 4 TV programme Dogs Behaving Badly, has brought thousands of dogs - and their owners - to heel with his refreshingly firm, no-nonsense approach. No wonder he's known as The Dogfather.

In his latest venture, a new podcast calledTalking Dogs with Graeme Hall, he offers advice, and talks about what he's learned about dogs and their owners over the years.

talking dogs podcast
©Graeme Hall, Talking Dogs

"I set up the podcast because, on average, I receive more than 100 enquires a week from people who have concerns about their dog," he says. "It's impossible for me to reply individually but the podcast allows me to do just that. Owners can write in and I can group questions together, and therefore address many of their worries."

What's particularly interesting is that Graeme believes the majority of dogs' behavioural problems are down to their owner.

"Dogs are like sponges - they pick up on emotions. What you give to them, they give back to you. It's rather like parenting a small child who never grows up.

"Dogs are actually just like children, they pick up on tension and stress in their owners just as children do in their parents. The traditional mantra is dogs are animals and humans are humans but actually we're not that different, there are loads of similarities. An owner needs to be the kind of person their dog will look up to.

"Dogs are experts at looking at faces. When you look happy, they think they must be doing the right thing. When you look unhappy, angry or scared, they respond accordingly. Tone of voice is also important.

"Owners should, in the most part, sound bright and happy when they talk to their dogs but when your dog is misbehaving, you should keep your voice low rather than let it rise up and up.

"In order to do what I do, you've got to be good with dogs but you've also got to be good with people. Owners usually need instruction more than their pets do."

The Dogfather top tips - how to train your dog

  1. Separation anxiety - "It's a hot topic right now. If you’re anxious, your dog will be, too. Don’t let him or her see you’re worried when you have to go out. Pretend you’re fine."
  1. Teaching your dog to behave – "Dogs learn from trial and error more than anything else. Behaviour that is rewarded will be repeated, behaviour that leads to discomfort will stop. Owners should make this distinction in their language – dogs are clever and will quickly pick up on phrases such as ‘good boy’."
  1. Calming a barking dog – "If you yell at a barking dog from behind, they’ll only think you’re barking, too. It’s much more effective to get between them and whatever they’re barking at, tell them ‘no’, and then praise them calmly when they’re quiet.”

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