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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Graeme Hall

40 replies

blubberball · 27/02/2026 09:40

Can anyone please explain to me why this man gets so much hate online? I've watched his shows and read his book, and I genuinely don't see what the issue is? I see people piling on saying how awful he is, but they never seem to say why. Does any one know what the problem is? 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Pepperedpickles · 27/02/2026 09:42

I always wonder this too. I think I’ve missed something!

SpanielsGalore · 27/02/2026 09:45

He doesn't know what he's doing. They get other trainers in to show him what to do and then he does it for the camera.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/02/2026 09:48

I've watched some of his programmes (not intently just because they were on ) I know they will be heavily edited .
There was one where the couple had a young GS , reactive but only towards the MIL , who came into the house , held her bag up to her face and basically shrieked. I am not a dog behaviour expert but even I could see why the dog was reactive and confused .
"Come to my house , I will bark and wag my tail to welcome you , but you hoist up a barrier and scream at me ...."

I have read people mistrust him because he has no behaviourist qualifications , don't know if that is true .
But so many of these shows are edited and cut for entertainment purposes , make the owner look pathetic and the dog look feral , then by the end they are skipping off into the sunset ?
.

SnowFrogJelly · 27/02/2026 09:51

He seems to always recommend similar things and then it always magically works in days! I don’t dislike him but got bored with the show

rainbowstardrops · 27/02/2026 09:54

I like him and enjoy watching his shows 🤷🏻‍♀️

Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 09:54

SpanielsGalore · 27/02/2026 09:45

He doesn't know what he's doing. They get other trainers in to show him what to do and then he does it for the camera.

So people are annoyed that he's not giving credit to the trainers? Aren't the methods just general training methods? In the book he spoke about attending training seminars and courses. Isn't that what they all do?

OP posts:
Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 09:56

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/02/2026 09:48

I've watched some of his programmes (not intently just because they were on ) I know they will be heavily edited .
There was one where the couple had a young GS , reactive but only towards the MIL , who came into the house , held her bag up to her face and basically shrieked. I am not a dog behaviour expert but even I could see why the dog was reactive and confused .
"Come to my house , I will bark and wag my tail to welcome you , but you hoist up a barrier and scream at me ...."

I have read people mistrust him because he has no behaviourist qualifications , don't know if that is true .
But so many of these shows are edited and cut for entertainment purposes , make the owner look pathetic and the dog look feral , then by the end they are skipping off into the sunset ?
.

That's just all reality TV in general I guess. But people seem to really hate him specifically. I still can't pin point the issue

OP posts:
Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 09:57

SnowFrogJelly · 27/02/2026 09:51

He seems to always recommend similar things and then it always magically works in days! I don’t dislike him but got bored with the show

That's fair. I still don't understand the hate people have for him tbh

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Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 09:59

rainbowstardrops · 27/02/2026 09:54

I like him and enjoy watching his shows 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yeah me too. Not all the time, but I find it to be very inoffensive viewing. That's why I don't understand the strong hate comments he gets 🤷‍♀️

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Melsy88 · 27/02/2026 10:00

Some of his older methods were quite outdated and not in line with more modern positive training. For example, scaring the dog with loud noises to make them change what they are doing.

Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 10:05

Melsy88 · 27/02/2026 10:00

Some of his older methods were quite outdated and not in line with more modern positive training. For example, scaring the dog with loud noises to make them change what they are doing.

I don't think I've seen him do that one

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SpanielsGalore · 27/02/2026 10:06

blubberball · 27/02/2026 09:54

So people are annoyed that he's not giving credit to the trainers? Aren't the methods just general training methods? In the book he spoke about attending training seminars and courses. Isn't that what they all do?

Show quote history

I think it's a bit different.
People go on courses and seminars and learn training methods and techniques. They then see dogs, assess them and offer training solutions.
AFAIK he doesn't do the assessing and deciding what training methods to use. Someone else does all the work and he's the front man.

ZookeeperSE · 27/02/2026 10:14

It’s a very outdated show, he’s just a presenter essentially. Reminds me of those decorating shows from the 90s - want a new bedroom? Don’t worry we’ll come and bodge it for you! Sort of like that, but with dogs. Only still on our screens in the 2020s. I always wonder if the dogs revert afterwards (or if they were never really ‘fixed’ in the first place and it was just editing). All a bit pointless entertainment really. Although he seems nice enough so not sure why there would be ‘hate’ for him. But that’s the modern way I guess, everyone is so extreme, particularly online of course.

Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 10:18

SpanielsGalore · 27/02/2026 10:06

I think it's a bit different.
People go on courses and seminars and learn training methods and techniques. They then see dogs, assess them and offer training solutions.
AFAIK he doesn't do the assessing and deciding what training methods to use. Someone else does all the work and he's the front man.

Show quote history

Oh ok. And people just want him to give credit to his team of trainers?

OP posts:
Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 10:19

ZookeeperSE · 27/02/2026 10:14

It’s a very outdated show, he’s just a presenter essentially. Reminds me of those decorating shows from the 90s - want a new bedroom? Don’t worry we’ll come and bodge it for you! Sort of like that, but with dogs. Only still on our screens in the 2020s. I always wonder if the dogs revert afterwards (or if they were never really ‘fixed’ in the first place and it was just editing). All a bit pointless entertainment really. Although he seems nice enough so not sure why there would be ‘hate’ for him. But that’s the modern way I guess, everyone is so extreme, particularly online of course.

Edited

Yeah. The show doesn't bother me at all. People seem to feel so strongly about him, and I still don't understand why. Maybe we're just a bit more mellow on Mumsnet here. I wasn't expecting the responses to be so balanced and sensible

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HangryBrickShark · 27/02/2026 10:30

I think he's great. And so what if he seeks advice from trainers, don't all shows have advisors on hand? Isn't that the point? He's a good presenter.

He's a master trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers. He's a frequent contributor to magazines, radio and TV and has travelled as far as Australia and New Zealand training dogs .

It was at one point around £875 for 3 hours training for up to 3 dogs I believe.

SpanielsGalore · 27/02/2026 10:32

blubberball · 27/02/2026 10:18

Oh ok. And people just want him to give credit to his team of trainers?

Show quote history

I think people would rather the programme makers would use the 'real' trainers rather than a flamboyant figurehead.

I think The Dog Academy/Bad Dog Academy and It's Me Or The Dog are better. Although they are obviously still edited to make issues look like they were quick fixes.

ColliLass · 27/02/2026 10:37

Because he’s not a trainer. The only “qualification” he has is one anyone can pay for.

He gives outdated and in some cases downright inhumane advice. In one episode he was dismissing a dog with mobility/pain issues as a “diva”. Fucking idiot.

If he’s stuck (is his outdated and inhumane methods don’t work) he brings in other trainers.

In case I wasn’t clear, he’s a fucking idiot.

RugbyGranny · 27/02/2026 10:37

He came out to help my Mum with her dog about 15 years ago and he was brilliant. He visited her at home to meet the dog and her and assessed the situation. Worked with my Mum - who was the problem - and she and the dog had 10 years of happy life together. He came for a follow up visit and waived his fee - asked me to donate it to a charity that I was supporting at the time. He was great!

ColliLass · 27/02/2026 10:38

HangryBrickShark · 27/02/2026 10:30

I think he's great. And so what if he seeks advice from trainers, don't all shows have advisors on hand? Isn't that the point? He's a good presenter.

He's a master trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers. He's a frequent contributor to magazines, radio and TV and has travelled as far as Australia and New Zealand training dogs .

It was at one point around £875 for 3 hours training for up to 3 dogs I believe.

Edited

“Guild of master dog trainers”

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I see you’ve fallen for “The more expensive something is the better it must be” 🤣🤣🤣

Ylvamoon · 27/02/2026 10:39

His shows are all about quick fixtures rather than giving people the tools to correct unwanted behaviour.

Dog training takes months, and for some ingrained behavior years.
I do think he loves dogs, but he doesn't understand them.

AgentPidge · 27/02/2026 10:41

Is it the way he dresses that annoys people? A bit... pretentious? People can take a dislike for really trivial reasons. I think he's good - what he says makes sense.

spiderlight · 27/02/2026 10:42

He's all about quick fixes, suppressing/masking behaviour rather than looking at the root causes. A lot of his advice is downright dangerous, inhumane and outdated. This sums it up :https://cbtdogbehaviour.com/dogs-behaving-very-badly-a-review/

Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 10:43

ColliLass · 27/02/2026 10:37

Because he’s not a trainer. The only “qualification” he has is one anyone can pay for.

He gives outdated and in some cases downright inhumane advice. In one episode he was dismissing a dog with mobility/pain issues as a “diva”. Fucking idiot.

If he’s stuck (is his outdated and inhumane methods don’t work) he brings in other trainers.

In case I wasn’t clear, he’s a fucking idiot.

This is the strong views I've been seeing. Inhumane, outdated fucking idiot who doesn't have qualifications. I feel like I've been watching a different man to the people who say this

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Original poster
blubberball · 27/02/2026 10:49

spiderlight · 27/02/2026 10:42

He's all about quick fixes, suppressing/masking behaviour rather than looking at the root causes. A lot of his advice is downright dangerous, inhumane and outdated. This sums it up :https://cbtdogbehaviour.com/dogs-behaving-very-badly-a-review/

Thanks for the link. I think that might explain people's feelings a little better. They dislike the editing of the show, and disagree with some of his methods, which is all fair.

What do you think of other TV dog presenters like Victoria Stilwell and Cesar Milan?

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