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Favourite Breeds and Family Pets with Graeme Hall
Primary Times catches up with Master Dog Trainer Graeme Hall to discuss our wonderful canine companions, alongside the exciting, brand-new series of Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly.
A talented columnist, TV presenter, and best-selling author, Graeme Hall is perhaps best known for being one of the UK’s leading professional dog trainers and the star of Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly, now in its seventh season.
In this popular television show, which is both entertaining and informative for the whole family, Graeme implements innovative fixes to almost any dog behavioural problem. Ahead of National Pet Day on April 11th, we spoke with Graeme to find out more about the new series and to get some advice for dog-loving families…
If you could be any dog breed, what would you be and why?
“Well apparently (according to someone who knows me well) I’m a Boxer. They’re fun-loving, big galoots. But clumsy with it. No one is perfect.”
How would you sum up Season 7 of Dogs Behaving Very Badly?
“I really think it’s the best one yet, but I’ll let others decide. Heartfelt, dramatic, laugh-out-loud funny at times (the dogs, not me). I think it’s a cracker. So many great dogs and interesting people…”
In the new series, which dog did you find the easiest and which the most difficult to train?
“Can I answer both with the same dog? Episode 1 features a lovely deaf Dalmatian. It’s hard to train a dog when you can’t communicate when he’s not looking your way, but he was so smart it turned out to be easy.”
What’s your favourite thing about working with dogs and creating the show?
“Dogs do funny things—both funny-ha-ha and funny-peculiar. They also tug at our heartstrings or create heart-stopping moments, but the show is also about people, and one of my mottos is: You can only change the dog through their people. Seeing that change come about is really rewarding.”
With National Pet Day coming up, what advice would you give to families looking to get their first dog?
“Take your time and ask yourself the boring questions first:
✔ Is a dog really for you?
✔ Can you afford everything that goes with having a dog?
✔ Do you have the time?
✔ Does your energy and personality suit the breed (or individual dog) you're thinking about?
Never choose a dog or puppy just based on looks alone. I know it’s hard, but try to let your head rule your heart.”
Which dog breed do you think makes the best family pet?
“Truth be told, all dogs are individuals, so picking one breed is tricky. If you twisted my arm though, I might say Labrador. They’re a good bet. (But, oh boy, I could tell you some stories about naughty ones!)”
Are there any future projects in the pipeline that we can look out for?
“Well obviously, it’s all top secret and ‘If I told you, I’d have to shoot you’ —but rumour has it I’ll be in Australia with a TV crew when you read this. Wink wink!”
Catch Dogs Behaving Very Badly Season 7! Airs every Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 5. Watch online on catch-up via My5:
Photography © Avalon