DOGability

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An interesting read, dont forget what you see on TV or TikTok, Facebook etc is rarely as it seems....
08/05/2025

An interesting read, dont forget what you see on TV or TikTok, Facebook etc is rarely as it seems....

⚠️ π‘Ύπ’‰π’š 𝑰 π’˜π’π’'𝒕 𝒃𝒆 π’‚π’‘π’‘π’†π’‚π’“π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒐𝒏 π‘«π’π’ˆπ’” π‘©π’†π’‰π’‚π’—π’Šπ’π’ˆ (π‘½π’†π’“π’š) π‘©π’‚π’…π’π’š

Yesterday, I received the following email from a researcher for the TV programme *Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly*:

"𝑀𝑦 π‘›π‘Žπ‘šπ‘’ 𝑖𝑠 (redacted) 𝐼 π‘€π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘˜ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ 𝑇𝑉 π‘ β„Žπ‘œπ‘€ β€˜π·π‘œπ‘”π‘  π΅π‘’β„Žπ‘Žπ‘£π‘–π‘›π‘” (π‘‰π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘¦) π΅π‘Žπ‘‘π‘™π‘¦β€™.

𝐼 π‘€π‘Žπ‘  β„Žπ‘œπ‘π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œ π‘’π‘›π‘žπ‘’π‘–π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘  π‘‘π‘œ π‘€β„Žπ‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘œπ‘›π‘’ π‘“π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘š π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘š π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘™π‘‘ 𝑏𝑒 π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 π‘Ž π‘π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘“ π‘œπ‘›π‘’ π‘œπ‘“ π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘’π‘π‘–π‘ π‘œπ‘‘π‘’π‘  π‘€β„Žπ‘–π‘β„Ž 𝑀𝑒 π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘“π‘–π‘™π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘” 𝑛𝑒π‘₯𝑑 π‘€π‘’π‘’π‘˜ 𝑖𝑛 πΏπ‘Žπ‘›π‘π‘Žπ‘ β„Žπ‘–π‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘›π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿ πΏπ‘¦π‘‘β„Žπ‘Žπ‘š.

π‘Šπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘ π‘β„Žπ‘’π‘‘π‘’π‘™π‘’π‘‘ π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’ π‘“π‘–π‘™π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘œπ‘› π‘‡π‘’π‘’π‘ π‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦ 10π‘‘β„Ž π‘†π‘’π‘π‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘π‘’π‘Ÿ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘™π‘œπ‘œπ‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘Ž π‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œπ‘” π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘’π‘Ÿ 𝑒π‘₯π‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘’ π‘œπ‘›π‘π‘œπ‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘‘ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘“π‘–π‘™π‘š π‘€π‘–π‘‘β„Ž 𝑒𝑠 π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘’π‘›π‘‘ π‘Žπ‘› β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ 𝑖𝑛 π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘“π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘›π‘œπ‘œπ‘›. π‘Šπ‘’ π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘’ π‘™π‘œπ‘œπ‘˜π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘Ž π‘π‘Ÿπ‘œπ‘“π‘’π‘ π‘ π‘–π‘œπ‘›π‘Žπ‘™ π‘‘π‘œ π‘ β„Žπ‘œπ‘€π‘π‘Žπ‘ π‘’ π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œ β„Žπ‘’π‘™π‘ π‘œπ‘›π‘’ π‘œπ‘“ π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘‘π‘œπ‘”π‘  π‘‘π‘œ π‘›π‘œπ‘‘ π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘π‘œπ‘›π‘‘ π‘‘π‘œ π‘Ž π‘‘π‘’π‘™π‘’π‘β„Žπ‘œπ‘›π‘’ π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘”π‘‘π‘œπ‘›π‘’.

π‘Šπ‘’ π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘™π‘‘ π‘–π‘‘π‘’π‘Žπ‘™π‘™π‘¦ 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘‘π‘œ π‘π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘¦π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿ π‘œπ‘€π‘› π‘‘π‘œπ‘” π‘‘π‘œ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘“π‘–π‘™π‘šπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œ π‘ β„Žπ‘œπ‘€ π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’ π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘π‘œπ‘›π‘ π‘–π‘£π‘’ π‘‘π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘–π‘›π‘–π‘›π‘” π‘‘π‘œ π‘›π‘œπ‘›-π‘£π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘π‘Žπ‘™ π‘π‘œπ‘šπ‘šπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘π‘ , π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘šπ‘œπ‘ π‘‘π‘™π‘¦ β„Žπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π‘”π‘’π‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ .

π‘ƒπ‘™π‘’π‘Žπ‘ π‘’ 𝑙𝑒𝑑 π‘šπ‘’ π‘˜π‘›π‘œπ‘€ 𝑖𝑓 π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘  𝑖𝑠 π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘” π‘¦π‘œπ‘’ π‘‘β„Žπ‘–π‘›π‘˜ π‘Žπ‘›π‘¦π‘œπ‘›π‘’ π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘™π‘‘ 𝑏𝑒 π‘–π‘›π‘‘π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘ π‘‘π‘’π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛. 𝑂𝑓 π‘π‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ π‘’, π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘¦β€™π‘‘ 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 π‘‘π‘œ 𝑏𝑒 β„Žπ‘Žπ‘π‘π‘¦ π‘‘π‘œ 𝑏𝑒 π‘œπ‘› π‘π‘Žπ‘šπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Ž, 𝑏𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑑 π‘€π‘œπ‘’π‘™π‘‘ 𝑏𝑒 π‘Ž π‘”π‘Ÿπ‘’π‘Žπ‘‘ π‘œπ‘π‘π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘‘π‘’π‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘¦ π‘‘π‘œ π‘ β„Žπ‘œπ‘€ π‘‘β„Žπ‘’π‘–π‘Ÿ π‘ π‘˜π‘–π‘™π‘™π‘ !"

My first thought was to delete the email. I'm not a fan of Graeme Hall. I've watched a few episodes of his show, and in my opinion, he seems to make things up as he goes along, relying on outdated training methods.

However, I was puzzled. Was the β€œcravat” unwell, and they needed a stand-in? I'm a nobody – why on earth would they want to film me training a dog when there are so many high-profile trainers out there? Curiosity got the better of me, so I decided to give the researcher a call.

I'm still in shock as I write this. The researcher explained that they wanted to invite me to Lytham with my Border Collie to "demonstrate" to Graeme Hall how I would train my dog not to respond to a phone ringtone.

Graeme would then take my training method and use it to teach the Border Collie of the family seeking help – all while filming it for his TV show!

WTF 😳😳😳

I decided to dig a bit deeper and reached out to the force-free dog training community to see if anyone else had experienced something this bizarre.

It turns out that many trainers had also been asked to attend filming sessions to show Graeme how to train dogs before the cameras rolled. Most reported that they refused because of his methods, but a few had shown him and his team how to train a dog, only to be dismissed without any credit for their expertise.

I then did some open-source research on "The Country’s Best Dog Trainer," as the *Daily Telegraph* calls him. He has no formal training in canine behaviour or training. He’s essentially winging it with the help of whatever trainers are willing to show up and assist him.

According to his website, he charges Β£875 per session πŸ€”πŸ˜§

Now I’m not someone who normally criticises other trainers. I prefer to let my clients decide if I’m the right trainer for them based on how I work with their dogs.

However, I couldn’t let this pass without making it public knowledge.

If you're looking for a dog trainer, please avoid this programme and this man. You have no idea whose techniques he’ll be using week to week, and given that most qualified and accredited trainers want nothing to do with him, the quality of training you’ll receive is questionable at best.

Instead, do your own research and find a local trainer who aligns with your own dog training ethics. Organisations such as The IMDT or APDT - Association of Pet Dog Trainers can help guide you to qualified & accredited trainers in your area.

𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒑𝒖𝒕 π’šπ’π’–π’“ π’…π’π’ˆπ’” π’Šπ’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒔!

05/05/2025

Just a reminder that I’ll be at Saffron Walden Cricket Club tomorrow for charity dog walk in aid of animalrescue.arc.

I will do doing a demo on the benefits of physio and I’ll also be on hand to answer any questions.

A couple of the charities lovely dogs, who are looking for their forever homes will be assisting me in my demo.

I’ll also be helping to judge the dog show, so if you’re coming along I like chocolate and gin πŸ˜‰πŸ˜‚

I hope to see some familiar faces on the day to help raise money for a great cause.

To register to take part in the walk click the link below

https://9k4k9.co.uk/

There are 2 routes, a 4.5k and 9 k and its starts at 10.30am after the walk there will be my demo, the dog show and lots of stalls to take a look at.

It should be a great day and hopefully the 🌞 will be out too but not too hot for our doggy friends.

Action shots from todays agility class
30/04/2025

Action shots from todays agility class

This is what preparing for your puppy should look like! Careful thought given to appropriate space, secure and puppy-pro...
26/04/2025

This is what preparing for your puppy should look like! Careful thought given to appropriate space, secure and puppy-proofed, with direct access to outdoor space to help housetraining. Do we humans have to make a small sacrifice regarding our space? Yes, but it's so worth it! It's only temporary, reduces stress for our puppy whilst settling in, makes things easier for us (so we get less frustratrated with normal puppy behaviour) and gets our lives with our puppies off to the best possible start as we've set up for success from the beginning. Shay Kelly MSc: A Voice for the Voiceless

25/03/2025

We all learnt a lot from Mission: GSD how to use play to improve impulse control, create engagement and a great bond with our dogs, how we can use it to tap into their predation sequence to create drive and provide a safe outlet for that need and above all have fun with our dogs.

My favourite photo from the Mission: GSD workshop more coming soon!
18/03/2025

My favourite photo from the Mission: GSD workshop more coming soon!

10/03/2025

At DOGability we encourage all family members to get involved in training. How wonderful is this?!

08/03/2025

To everyone coming to classes this weekend from Harlow and Sawbridgeworth direction: there are temporary traffic lights on the A1184 at the junction with Spellbrook Lanes East and West. Please either allow a little more time to get to class, or come via the back roads.

29/01/2025

Get focused! You will always struggle to teach an unfocused dog, so work on this before teaching behaviours: focus is the foundation for everything! Here is Henno of Mission: GSD saying exactly what I say: work out YOUR dog’s hierarchy of rewards; add movement, toys and fun so your dog CHOOSES to engage so you can train; and then proof what you have taught. I've signed up for Mission:GSD’s February Focus course. Why? Because every trainer can learn from other good, ethical trainers, and I have a two year old working line Labrador and this is what I'm working on with him all the time - focus! It’ll be great to have a whole month’s worth of training games and ideas sent out every day so all I have to do is go out and have fun with my dog, and it will make sure in my mind I’ve missed nothing in his training, will cement all our foundations, boost our skill set and, best of all, deepen our relationship and connection. Come and join us: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/mission-gsd/t-rpvzxng.

REACTIVITY RESET SEMINAR: Saturday 15th March, 12 - 2pm Great Hallingbury Village Hall, CM22 7TY. Presented by Harry 'He...
21/01/2025

REACTIVITY RESET SEMINAR: Saturday 15th March, 12 - 2pm Great Hallingbury Village Hall, CM22 7TY.

Presented by Harry 'Henno' Matthews, former Police Fi****ms Officer, Police Dog Handler and Trainer. Reactivity Reset is about why and how playing with your dog builds optimism, confidence, focus, and reduces reactivity. Understanding the positive effects play has on our dogs’ brains and behaviour, and how to utilise it effectively, will transform your work with your reactive dog. Get your tickets here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/mission-gsd.

POWER OF PLAY WORKSHOPS: Saturday 15th March and Sunday 16th March, 9 to 11am, Great Hallingbury Village Hall, CM22 7TY....
21/01/2025

POWER OF PLAY WORKSHOPS: Saturday 15th March and Sunday 16th March, 9 to 11am, Great Hallingbury Village Hall, CM22 7TY.

SATURDAY HANDLER PLACES SOLD OUT, 1 HANDLER PLACE REMAINING FOR SUNDAY.

Presented by Harry 'Henno' Matthews, former Police Fi****ms Officer, Police Dog Handler and Trainer. Henno's expertise in using play to train his police dogs will help transform training with your own dog - whatever their breed.
6 handler places per Workshop for dedicated 1:1 time with Henno, 25 spectator places. Get your tickets here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/mission-gsd.

On Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March DOGability will be hosting Harry 'Henno' Matthews, a former Fi****ms Officer and ...
19/01/2025

On Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March DOGability will be hosting Harry 'Henno' Matthews, a former Fi****ms Officer and Police Dog Handler and Trainer, now full time dog trainer, as he presents his Power of Play Workshops and Reactivity Reset seminar for us. Workshops and seminar will be held at Great Hallingbury Village Hall, CM22 7TY.
Play as a training aid is massively under-utilised by most of us, and Henno will show you how to create desire in your dog to play and connect with you, whatever the distractions they are struggling with. When we know how to use play to our advantage, and utilise the positive effects it has on our dogs' brains and behaviour (especially the high drive, working and gun dog breeds), it transforms our lives with them.
Tickets are going on general sale on Tuesday, 21st January and we are giving our followers the chance to get in first. So, if you would like to get all the details and priority on tickets just comment below and I’ll email everything over to you.

Address

London Road, Thorley
Bishop's Stortford
CM234AT

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 6:30pm
Thursday 9am - 6:30pm
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Saturday 9am - 6:30pm
Sunday 9am - 6:30pm

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