Talking Dogs with Graeme Hall

Graeme Hall helps a listener who feels her puppy is a bit of a bully when he plays with other dogs. Is this just puppy behaviour, or is the aggression something to be concerned about? She and another listener also wonder if neutering is the answer to some behavioural issues. Graeme explains when he would, and wouldn’t, get a dog neutered. Plus, with fireworks night fast approaching, Graeme talks through how to keep your dog calm. Do you have a question for The Dogfather? Send Graeme a voice note and a video of your pesky pooch to talkingdogs@avalonuk.com.

Graeme Hall talks through everything you need to think about before rehoming a rescue dog. What should you ask the rescue centre? How long should you spend with the dog before bringing them home? And should you expect them to have particularly bad behavioural issues? Plus, he advises a listener whose Bosnian street dog refuses to have a harness put on her. Do you have a question for The Dogfather? Send Graeme a voice note and a video of your pesky pooch to talkingdogs@avalonuk.com.

Graeme Hall helps two listeners whose dogs both have issues with visitors arriving at the house. One is incredibly scared, and hides under the sofa and barks, while the other gets over-excited and jumps at anyone who walks through the door. Graeme talks through tips including implementing strong command words, and even ignoring the dog entirely. Do you have a question for The Dogfather? Send Graeme a voice note and a video of your pesky pooch to talkingdogs@avalonuk.com.

The podcast discusses implementing a bedtime routine for dogs, creating a cozy den in their crate, and settling rescue dogs in a new bed. It also explores different sleeping arrangements, the use of crates, and the benefits of routines. The pros and cons of allowing dogs on furniture are also discussed.

Graeme Hall explores the origins of resource guarding; it likely starts as attention seeking, but there could be a genetic element too. Does your dog snarl when you come close to their precious item? Ignoring them entirely might just be the best thing you can do. Do you have a question for The Dogfather? Send Graeme a voice note and a video of your pesky pooch to talkingdogs@avalonuk.com.

Learn how to help your dog overcome car anxiety by creating a calming environment and using re-association training. Discover strategies for dealing with anxiety and barking in the car. Find out about different ways to restrain and ensure the safety of dogs in cars. Get tips on walking dogs and taking them on public transport, including leash safety and training for public transport.

Learn the best way to toilet train your puppy, including how to tell them not to go in the house and how to know when they want to go out. Discover why toilet training may be easier in the winter and debunk the misconception that all puppies can be trained in a week. Get advice on transitioning from guessing to asking to go outside, and learn how to generalize behaviors in different locations.

Graeme Hall talks through the different ways fear can manifest in dogs: flight, fight, freezing, and fawning. He helps a listener whose chihuahua’s fear presents as aggression, as well as explaining how you can praise the moments of curiosity and calm rather than panicking in the height of the fearful state. Do you have a question for The Dogfather? Send Graeme a voice note and a video of your pesky pooch to talkingdogs@avalonuk.com.

Graeme Hall explores how to work out how long your dog needs walking for, if it’s possible to over-exercise your dog, and behavioural issues that can be affected by exercise levels. Walks are also incredibly important for mental stimulation, sniffing, and socialising, so it’s not just about physical activity! Do you have a question for The Dogfather? Send Graeme a voice note and a video of your pesky pooch to talkingdogs@avalonuk.com.

Graeme Hall provides tips for managing separation anxiety in dogs, including creating a smaller environment and gradual departures. He discusses the use of webcams, the difference between separation anxiety and attention seeking, and the case of Josh's mistaken anxiety.