Graeme Hall tackles a number of questions listeners have about dogs who like to use their paws. First up is a cross breed who absolutely loves digging up the garden. Her owner has made her a sandpit so she can dig there... but she’s still intent on making a mess of the grass.Then, what does The Dogfather suggest for a dog who keeps flipping her wat…

Graeme Hall talks through how to help your dog settle in various scenarios, including when you’re busy working from home, when you leave them alone in the house, and at night time.How long should you leave your dog by themselves? Should the dog be able to sleep out of their crate? How much should you interact with your dog during the day? The Dogfa…

Graeme Hall helps a couple of listeners whose dogs don’t like sharing things – particularly toys – with other dogs. First, he wonders if a spaniel who can growl when others try to play would benefit from learning some boundaries in other areas of his life. Then, he hears about a cockapoo who isn’t enjoying the company of the new puppy the family ha…

Graeme Hall helps a couple of listeners whose dogs don’t seem to be particularly interested in toys. First, an owner who wants to use a toy to teach his food-motivated rottweiler an ‘out’ command, and secondly an owner who would like her rescue dog to learn how to play.The Dogfather also wonders whether it’s important that every dog likes playing, …

Graeme Hall explains the principles behind why we generally communicate with dogs both verbally and visually with voice commands and hand signals. With this in mind, he then helps two listeners who have deaf dogs. One can’t hear other dogs barking when he might be playing too rough with them, and the other can’t hear his own incessant barking. Give…

Graeme Hall explains how dogs explore the world with the mouths and noses. He met spaniel Bertie on Dogs Behaving Very Badly; he was grabbing and eating everything from facemasks to fireworks. The Dogfather recaps with owners Jackie and Daisy how they taught Bertie a ‘leave’ command, and talks them through how to continue the training out on walks.…

Graeme Hall tackles two problems with dogs that bite. The first gets over excited when visitors arrive, and explores the new people by getting his teeth round their wrists. The Dogfather is clear he’s not being vicious, but he does need to be taught how to stay calm in exciting new situations.The second dog is chihuahua Hulk, who Graeme recently me…

Graeme Hall talks about dogs who don’t like cars – one that barks and lunges when he’s near traffic, and one who bites and lunges when she’s put inside the car.The first is Old English Sheepdog Wilson, who Graeme met on TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly. Owner Joanne joins The Dogfather to catch up on how she and Wilson have been getting on since their…

Graeme Hall explains why finding our dogs behaviour funny at first could be paving a path for that behaviour to become a worrying obsession. On this week’s episode of TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly Graeme met sprocker Brodie who was obsessed with licking bald heads. Owners Carol and Kenny join Graeme to talk through how they stopped this behaviour. …

Graeme Hall talks to owners of dogs that have very strong opinions about their walks. He catches up with Lisa and Linda from TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly whose German Shepherd cross Buddy would often just plonk himself down in the road on a walk and refuse to move. Graeme explains how he got Buddy moving again through the right body language, tone…

Graeme Hall explains how to make your dog understand the difference between human food and their own dog food. He recently met Ilana and cockapoo Bailey on TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly; Bailey used to snatch food out of people’s hands, steal food from picnics, and jump on tables hoping for some grub, but Graeme put some boundaries in place that me…

Graeme Hall catches up with a couple he recently met on TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly. Scott and Christy’s dogs Buzz and Roshi used to be the best of mates, but when they moved house the happy family dream became a nightmare. The dogs fought so much they had to be kept in separate areas of the house. Graeme began training by taking the dogs outside…

Graeme Hall talks through the principles behind helping get your dog over their phobia, regardless of what it is. To illustrate the point he catches up with Rachel, who he recently met on TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly. Her Newfoundland Bailey was afraid of walking on hard floors after slipping as a puppy. He’s also a therapy dog, so they chat throu…

Graeme Hall explains what dogs might be thinking when they experience strange noises and sudden movements that we as humans consider entirely normal. He hears from a listener whose dog starts barking when they drive through puddles, and asks if the owners are accidentally praising the wrong moments.The Dogfather also catches up with Annmarie who he…

Graeme Hall reckons German Shepherd Marvel was the most reactive dog he’s ever worked with. He lunged and barked at absolutely everything, both indoors and out. He met Marvel and owner Lorna for TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly, and now catches up with Lorna to find out whether the training he showed them has been fruitful.The Dogfather also explains …

Graeme Hall recently helped an owner see the part he was playing in his deteriorating relationship with his dog. The Dogfather met Ray for an episode of TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly; Ray felt Welsh terrier Henry only had a problem with him, not his wife. He wouldn’t let him get out of doors and would nip at his shoelaces, but Graeme wondered wheth…

Graeme Hall gets back in touch with Steph, who he visited on TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly. Steph’s Chalkie Coco was snapping at visitors to the family’s coffee shop, driving vital business away. Hear how a play pen and affection at specific moments helped calm Coco down. Plus, The Dogfather explains to a listener why a sudden death in a family mig…

Graeme Hall met Leanne and her Weimaraner Tinkerbelle for the TV show – Dogs Behaving Very Badly. Tinkerbelle was incredibly clingy and affectionate; she had to be with her owner at all times ...Leanne even had to barricade the dog in the kitchen using chairs just to get some time alone in the shower! Now, he catches up with them a couple of months…

Graeme Hall catches up with Liane from TV show Dogs Behaving Very Badly. They reflect on how her boxer Woody used to behave – jumping all over visitors, darting out the front door, and stealing balls from her son when he was trying to play with friends in the garden. They talk through how they managed to calm this excitable dog by teaching him how …

Graeme Hall gets back in touch with John and Linda, a couple he helped on TV’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly. Their spaniel Harris’ love of water was putting his owners in danger as they regularly had to climb into rocky lakes to get him back out. Together they discuss how they taught Harris to wait for permission to dive in, as well as the unusual meth…

Comedian Frank Skinner has a new cavapoo called Poppy. He and Graeme Hall chat through the realities of raising a puppy, as it’s turned out to be a little more difficult than Frank had expected. He explains what he found particularly challenging about toilet training, and impresses Graeme with the way he’s socialised Poppy. Plus, they debate whethe…

Amit Patel is known as Blind Dad on social media, but it’s his guide dog Kika who’s the real star of the show. Amit uses his online presence to show how Kika helps him navigate the world – popping to the shops, taking him on airplanes, and even mothering his young children.As Amit explains though, Kika is still a Labrador, and she’s very food drive…

Storm Huntley is known for being a presenter on TV’s Jeremy Vine show, but she says being mum to five-year-old Shih Tzu Boo is the best job she’s ever had. She joins Graeme Hall to learn more about why Boo likes to have a pop at other dogs, as well as how to stop her eating dog poo on walks. Plus, The Dogfather gives advice to a listener whose Jack…

Graeme Hall recently had an encounter with some cows that got him thinking about how to safely walk a dog in the countryside around livestock. Plus, a couple of listeners have found themselves having to wrestle sticks away from their dogs, so The Dogfather gives his take on whether dogs should be playing with sticks at all, as well as how to train …

Graeme Hall knows you’ll likely be getting outside for a picnic this summer, but what should you do if you’re worried your dog will be running up to everyone else’s picnic and stealing food? A good recall and ‘drop’ command will come in handy. Plus, what’s the best way to cope with a dog that gets excited about human food when you’re cooking or sit…

Graeme Hall helps a listener who wants to make moving house as calm and happy an experience for his German Shepherd as possible. Plus, do you need to be mindful of your dog trying to get back to their old house...? The Dogfather also gives advice to two listeners whose dogs have become territorial when people enter what they consider to be their do…

Graeme Hall hears about a number of dogs who all have strange obsessions with random items, or are exhibiting obsessive behaviours. How can you get a dog to drop a ball he’s obsessed with? What is it about mops and hoovers that dogs love? And why might a cocker spaniel be licking walls and chasing shadows?Do you have a question for The Dogfather? S…

Graeme Hall helps a number of listeners who have reactive dogs. He talks through how to spot when your dog is about to ‘boil over’ by reading their body language, how to use your own body to block your lunging dog, and how to ultimately de-sensitise your dog to the dog, man, or small child they’re reacting to. Plus, is reactivity down to nature, or…

Graeme Hall explains why ‘socialisation’ doesn’t necessarily mean letting your dog run up to every other dog they see... it’s actually more about getting your dog to be calm – almost indifferent – around other dogs. He also helps listeners with opposite problems – one whose dog is fearful around other dogs, and one who can’t wait to excitedly bound…

Graeme Hall explains why dogs like to jump up and why, cute as it may be, it needs to be discouraged as soon as possible. The Dogfather helps two listeners whose dogs jump up at people, both in the house and out on walks, while another asks how to stop her German Shepherd jumping up at kitchen surfaces to steal food. Do you have a question for The …

Graeme Hall helps a number of listeners who can’t work out what’s triggering their otherwise lovely dogs to suddenly bite aggressively. There are lots of points to think about, from understanding the breeding, to thinking about what had been happening in the minutes, even hours, before the bite. Plus, what should you do if another dog has a pop at …

Graeme Hall explains why your dog knowing when and how to settle is so important; dogs need a lot more sleep than you might think. With the help of a couple of listeners, he talks through how to teach your dog to settle in different places – a crate, a pen, a bed, or even at the pub. Plus, how is teaching a ‘settle’ command different to teaching an…

Graeme Hall asks how you know when your dog is happy… Do you associate ‘excitement’ – maybe a waggy tail – with happiness? Actually, a calm dog is a happy dog, and most of the behavioural issues Graeme deals with come back to the dog being over-excited. The Dogfather helps a listener whose terriers get too excited just before walk time, and another…

Graeme Hall tackled the basics of recall last week, so this week he’s upping the ante! In this advanced recall training session he helps listeners whose dogs have great recall… apart from in very specific scenarios, like if they catch a great scent on the ground, or spot another dog in the distance. Plus, how can you get your off-lead dog to stay r…

Graeme Hall explains why it’s absolutely vital that your dog has good recall. In this back-to-recall-basics episode The Dogfather talks through how to successfully use clear commands and a long line to get your dog to reliably come back to you when you call them. Ever wondered how to get your dog to learn their name? You’ll find top tips for that i…

Graeme Hall gets a voice note from a listener who’s expecting a baby very soon; he wonders how he should prepare his Labrador for the new arrival. Graeme explains how to get the dog used to the idea in advance, as well as how to introduce her to the baby for the first time. Plus how should you train children to be good with dogs? What is it they ne…

Graeme Hall helps a number of listeners whose dogs all make a fuss when they’re being groomed. The Dogfather talks through how to very slowly get your dog used to various grooming tools, as well as to being handled. However, do we actually need to be clipping our dogs nails at all? And does your dog need a minty fresh toothpaste, or is chicken flav…

Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown might feel in control in the kitchen, but when she’s out and about walking her dogs it’s a very different story. She asks for Graeme Hall’s advice about how to cope with rescue pug Albus’ habit of lunging and barking at everything that moves - from birds, to artic lorries. Graeme wonders if Albus’ history…

Some questions Dogfather Graeme Hall gets asked are a little above his pay grade as a dog behaviour specialist, so he’s invited his vet mate Julian Norton onto the podcast to answer some of your questions that need a medical answer. Alongside The Yorkshire Vet, Graeme explores what to do when your older dog gets dementia, great alternatives to the …

Today is a special treat for fans of Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. In the first of a mini-series of Talking Dogs celebrity specials, Graeme Hall meets Joanna Scanlan. Not only is she the much loved actor in movies including Girl With A Pearl Earring, and TV shows like The Thick of It and No Offence, she’s also the narrator of Graeme's TV show! The Do…

It’s the series finale of Talking Dogs, so Graeme Hall has a bit of fun by answering some of the more bizarre questions to have landed in his inbox. What should you do if your dog is eating its own poo? Why is your dog reacting strangely to the Amazon Echo? And how should you deal with your dog’s odd obsession with helicopters?Do you have a questio…

Graeme Hall tackles a very common problem – dogs barking at things they want to make go away. Does your dog bark incessantly at the postman? At animals on the TV? At passing traffic? Graeme explains the psychology behind why your dog is acting this way, which will make it easier for you to understand how to deal with the problem.Do you have a quest…

Graeme Hall talks through how to determine whether your dog is barking to tell you something (more on that next week) or if it’s just to get your attention. If you’re sure it’s the latter, there’s one method that’ll work best: you have to ignore the dog. You have to act as though the dog has completely ceased to exist. Graeme explains the psycholog…

Graeme Hall explains how to let your dog know that you’re the leader of the household. This doesn’t mean bullying or being aggressive, it means setting clear boundaries so your dog knows what’s expected of them. Your body language and tone of voice play a part too.He also helps three listeners with their leadership-related problems, including one w…

Graeme Hall gives advice to two listeners whose dogs really don’t get on with the other dogs in the house. One is obsessed with humping the pug he sometimes stays with, and the other is a puppy determined to be the boss of two older dogs.He also explores the questions you’re likely to be asking yourself when you have (or are considering having) mor…

Graeme Hall explains why dogs – in particular puppies – are likely to nip at everything they can …the sofa, your slippers, your hand…! They’re exploring and learning about the world in the same way we would with our hands! However, it can be incredibly frustrating, so with the help of two listeners, Graeme talks through techniques to help nip the p…

Graeme Hall ambitiously covers a whole year of a dog’s life in this episode. He begins by tackling the most common problems you might have with a little puppy, from how long you should take off work, to confusion over vaccinations, and toilet training. He then explains why your puppy suddenly seems to forget all their training from about six months…

Graeme Hall tackles dogs that pull on the lead. He explains his ‘invisible box’ technique, which helps teach your dog to walk to heel, as well as how to execute the perfect ‘lead flick’. He also hears from an owner whose retriever is petrified of traffic, and talks her through how to desensitise the dog to the noise so they can enjoy walks together…

Graeme Hall answers your pressing questions about walking your dog. Is a harness or a collar better? How long should the lead be? And does it matter which side of me my dog walks on? Plus, he helps a listener whose Labrador likes to stubbornly plonk herself down on the pavement because she knows it means she’ll get love and attention from strangers…

It’s a festive special! Graeme Hall talks through what he thinks about special doggy chocolate, the best presents you can buy to keep your dog mentally stimulated throughout the day, and how to make sure your dog isn’t overwhelmed by extra (energetic!) people in the house. Plus, he explains how to teach the ‘leave’ command ahead of Christmas just i…