Gundogs and Guard dogs

Lez Graham
Gundogs and Guard dogs

An enlightening, fortnightly podcast from two full-time dog behaviourists and award-winning trainers discussing dogs, behavioural and training difficulties, current news relating to what should be our best friends, and a little bit of life in general…including their most recent meals! A Geordie based in Scotland and a Londoner, staying firmly put in the Capital, they overcome the language barrier (mostly!) and celebrate not only their many differences, but their united togetherness. Whether that be Gundogs, Guard Dogs…or any of the beautiful dogs inbetween - it’s all about the love for dogs.

  1. JAN 24

    S5E2 Slobber in Seattle

    A Chat with CIDBT Tutor Diane Kunas from Seattle From a first meeting in Merthyr Tydfil 20 years ago to completing her Master’s degree and returning stateside, Diane Kunas has had quite the journey. We delved into some fascinating insights about dog ownership in Seattle and across various US states. The discussion uncovered surprising similarities between the UK and the US, from our shared obsession with “fur-babies” to training methods and attitudes towards our four-legged friends. Topics ranged from balanced training vs. force-free approaches to dog laws, breed-specific legislation (BSL), and—of course—the all-important subject of oodles of Doodles. Diane’s passion for Bull breeds, especially the slobber-prone Dogue de Bordeaux, shone through. She’s left a trail of drool across Seattle, no doubt turning heads and winning hearts. We also touched on industry regulations—or the glaring lack thereof—and how these impact the world of dog training. It's clear that both sides of the pond share plenty of common ground, even if the accents are a little different! ---- oOo ---- Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years. Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE). Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter). They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists. Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think. Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites... www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com

    54 min
  2. JAN 10

    S5E1 For S***s & Giggles

    Happy New Year from this miserable duo! They’re clearly struggling to muster any exciting New Year vibes and seem as though they can hardly stay awake. Mostly flat, but there is some useful information about puppies teething and transitioning into adulthood. Don’t you ever get bored with just walking and feeding dogs? Walking dogs on leads, paying for their own dinner, and working on films with dogs—such is life. They discuss upcoming podcasts, which should (hopefully) be better. The cheese debate rumbles on, alongside the amazing skill dogs have for spitting out tablets. Bone broth conversations are enough to bore anyone to tears, while Lez—the master of the English language—gives Ross some tips on speech before moving on to competitive obedience. Find a purpose for training, or you might not bother at all. 2025 goals? Oh, there aren’t any! Well, maybe to get titre testing done. Leptospirosis – 2 (possibly 3), and 4, Crufts, CLA, and that’s a wrap! ---- oOo ---- Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years. Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE). Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter). They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists. Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think. Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites... www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com

    42 min
  3. 12/20/2024

    S4E15 Something to raise your eyebrows at (or wiggle your ears 😅)

    After a short break, they’re back with a Christmas Special! Don’t get too excited… there’s nothing particularly special about it. There isn’t even the usual wonderful intro music! Team London apologises for the lack of an intro and outro, while Team Scotland couldn’t care less. She’s a natural-born leader, who doesn’t need jingles and angles! Lez gives the game away by revealing that we recorded this on 3rd December! Why she was already wearing her Christmas earrings probably deserves some commendation. Meanwhile, the London contingent remained as “enthusiastic” as ever and made no effort at all. After a quick chat about Faelan – Lez’s new retriever pup – along with a moan about veterinary fees. There’s even some decent information on dogs’ well-being, covering liver support, genetics, health scores versus the reality of living with dogs, and how we sometimes “kid ourselves” into seeing what isn’t really there. There’s also a brief (and entirely unnecessary) insight into the bizarre physical facial abilities of this strange duo before wrapping up the episode – still without any music! Naturally, communication problems persist across the South/North language barrier… Gundogs and Guard Dogs will return properly in January 2025, without scratchy sheets, barefoot shoes, or any other nonsense…we hope! From Lez, Ross, and Team GaGD, We wish you the Merriest of Christmases, and a truly wonderful 2025… See you on the other side! ---- oOo ---- Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years. Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE). Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter). They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists. Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think. Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites... www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com

    51 min
  4. 10/11/2024

    S4E14 Spit or Swallow

    The end of season 4. After they set the rules for the conversation... both Lez and Ross then promptly ignored them! This episode kicks off with a kerb consultation, a wee-ridden sofa, and a coffee that would please the Bisto kids. The Scottish contingent brings up the spit or swallow conundrum and the pair discuss why you’d never eat cake during a consultation! The conversation wanders to a Staffie on a boat and being locked in London apartments and disorientated. A sensible moment of safety discussion regarding personal safety before analysing relationships between clients. The Londoner throws in some helpful advice about rehoming partners. An aggressive Cane Corso that reminds us to stay safe and follow best practices! Shutting up a Schnauzer and the difference between client views and the professional assessment and how owners adapt and cope with the behaviour of their dogs. The truth about Spaniels from a behaviourist perspective. What are the scariest dogs to work with…ooh hold on, there’s a chat about handling wolves in the middle along with a lesson about Apron’s and jaw-sucking (WTF). Wolf dogs. Wolf hybrids, making the wrong call, making the right call and always glad to be on the way home! Luckily, that’s the last of the season, so you have a break from this nonsense! Happy Halloween, Happy Christmas and the GaGD duo will be back soon with more nonsense peppered with some wonderful guests! ---- oOo ---- Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years. Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE). Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter). They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists. Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think. Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites... www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com

    1h 1m
  5. 09/27/2024

    S4E13 Take Another Breath: Dog Law with Trevor Cooper

    In this episode, we dive into the world of dog laws and legislation with Trevor Cooper from Cooper & Co solicitors. Despite the usual hiccups and a slightly chaotic introduction (thanks, Ross! 😂), the conversation quickly becomes a must-listen for any dog owner or enthusiast. Trevor Cooper, the leading specialist in dog law for England and Wales, sheds light on both criminal and civil laws affecting dog owners. He shares the differences between a solicitor and a barrister and offers a compelling insight into his journey to becoming a prominent figure in this field. For those who recall, we revisit the significant impact of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991—a piece of legislation that has brought about devastation and controversy since its inception. If you're a dog owner, this episode is essential. We discuss the prevalence of relationship breakdowns and custody battles over dogs, reminding listeners to choose their partners wisely! While there are a few positives to note in the prosecution trends under the Dangerous Dogs Act, the reality remains grim—it’s largely a postcode lottery. And for the love of your canine companion, don’t rely on your dog to protect your home, vehicle, or garden. As the episode concludes, we affirm that Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL) is ineffective—something many of us already knew. The laws currently in place are outdated and unfit for purpose, and it’s clear the Dangerous Dogs Act has been a failure from the start. We need a fresh approach, and it’s time for all dog professionals to unite. We also tackle some listener questions and leave you with a crucial reminder: make sure you have adequate third-party liability insurance. And if you don’t have a dog yet—think twice before getting one! ---- oOo ---- Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years. Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE). Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter). They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists. Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think. Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites... www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com

    57 min
  6. 09/13/2024

    S4E12 When the light leaves

    A chat about inappropriate laughter is quickly followed by the topic of pet bereavement. Maybe a hard listen, probably a harder conversation for Lez and Ross to have and to put out there. How long does this gut-wrenching feeling last for? How long will it take to smile instead of cry at the memories? Making very hard decisions when it comes to the love of your dogs and what happens when we don’t have the ability to make these choices. The impact that these wonderful animals have on our lives and the worry of losing our best friends can be overwhelming. It’s never any easier, but we may be more prepared to do the last display of love for our dog. Some practical as well as emotional conversations about the last breath, the cremation/the burial and how we move forward. If you are able to listen, please do. If you need to share with anyone who needs it, please do. Thank you to the GaGD team for putting this out there and to Lez and Ross for sharing their experiences in the hope it may benefit others. ----- oOo ----- Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years. Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE). Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter). They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists. Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think. Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites... www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com And if you'd rather watch than listen, you can catch Gundogs and Guard Dogs on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@gundogguarddog

    50 min
  7. 08/30/2024

    S4E11 This is the worst part

    A flawless start as usual with more lessons in English language from Lez. The nonsense chat covering the weather, recent workshops and other drivel leads the way to discussing living with the convalescent dog. From the conventional spay to cruciate ligament ruptures, hygromas, ruptured bladders and epilepsy. The emotional drain on owners and the strain of caring for dogs after illness or injury. The thought of doing it maybe harder than the reality in some cases?! A conversation about the huge microchip needle, bone damage, the stoic nature of dogs and the importance of raising your dogs as individuals and creating the ability for contentedness when alone. A difficult topic leading the way to an even more difficult conversation next time about when we lose our beloved canine companions. ----- oOo ----- Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years. Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE). Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter). They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists. Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think. Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites... www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com And if you'd rather watch than listen, you can catch Gundogs and Guard Dogs on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@gundogguarddog

    53 min
  8. 08/16/2024

    S4E10 Pinocchio

    A reflection of lockdown. The southern aspect can’t recover from his initial faux pas of mentioning the lack of guests for this episode! A brief conversation about British Summertime and wet feet leads on to a pretty non-dog related reflection of lockdown. We originally started this podcast during the pandemic, just to make some distraction and provide some relief from the difficult ‘storm’ in which we all found ourselves in…despite being in many different vessels! The strange new language that we had to learn…social distancing, bubbles, shielding, sanitising, and getting used to the new normal! Washing shopping, touching unknown dogs, socialising dogs, long term affects on us and our dogs. Eat out to help out…then get back in! Be kind…actually don’t bother! Common sense gets lost in Google apparently. Cruelty in the name of kindness, and the rather depressing result of pandemic puppy buying. Luckily Lez gives us some Japanese tutoring in regard to a lonely mouth and Ross provides expert insight into the use of a flannel, to save panic buying toilet rolls! Give this one a miss…normal service will resume shortly! ----- oOo ----- Lez and Ross have both been in the industry professionally for well over 20 years and each has been involved with dogs for over 40 years. Whilst sensibly they have stayed away from the ‘limelight’ regarding TV offers, they have regularly been on national and local radio, spoken at national events at NDWA, CFBA, and Kennel Club / Crufts events as well as bespoke speaking engagements for the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE). Ross wrote for Dogs Monthly Magazine for over 12 years and Lez was the first lady feature writer for a national Shooting Magazine (both Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter). They were also 'study buddies' and were the first in the UK to achieve a Masters Degree (Professional Practice) in Canine Behaviour and Psychology in 2011. They work well together and apart, support and work with dog rescue organisations and train professional dog trainers and behaviourists. Different as chalk and cheese, but maybe not as different as they like to think. Intrigued? want to know more? then check out our websites... www.rossmccarthy.com ~ www.lezgraham.com And if you'd rather watch than listen, you can catch Gundogs and Guard Dogs on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@gundogguarddog

    49 min

About

An enlightening, fortnightly podcast from two full-time dog behaviourists and award-winning trainers discussing dogs, behavioural and training difficulties, current news relating to what should be our best friends, and a little bit of life in general…including their most recent meals! A Geordie based in Scotland and a Londoner, staying firmly put in the Capital, they overcome the language barrier (mostly!) and celebrate not only their many differences, but their united togetherness. Whether that be Gundogs, Guard Dogs…or any of the beautiful dogs inbetween - it’s all about the love for dogs.

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