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When you dream of chimpanzees, you go through a vodka bar, even if you’re alcohol intolerant, and somehow end up working in conservation. What a journey!Maybe you can read your dog like a book… but not without 24 years of experience.Ross and Lez both joined the conversation thinking that perhaps a new career, or at least a new hobby, might be on the cards. By the end of it? Not a chance.Louise’s immaculate appearance, although sadly we can’t see her, rather defies the reality of a working life spent being dragged through wetlands by dogs, flying in helicopters and keeping a freezer full of scat.The conversation gets fascinating when Louise explains scent, discrimination and the indication of different scent types. You can’t learn this “scat” from a book. You have to experience it, learn it, live it and breathe it. Louise knows her dogs and can spot the subtle indications given by multi scent trained detection dogs.She talks about her courses and dispels some of the romance surrounding the idea of working with conservation dogs. This is serious work, requiring an extraordinary level of commitment, knowledge and understanding.Louise is a truly international worker, making waves across conservation projects around the world.And then there’s newt detection… Jeez. The commitment involved in dealing with changing owners, changing environments and changing scent pictures for the dogs is something else.Who knew newts could be two metres underground… or in a tree?!Water voles. Otters. Cadaver dogs. Buried pigs. Bat carcasses…It’s all glamour!How do you train through emotional responses to scent? What are the best breeds? And could a rescue dog that simply needs a job become a conservation detection dog?We finish, appropriately, with pine marten poo.Louise is nothing short of amazing. An incredibly knowledgeable, passionate and entertaining guest with a career that proves just how extraordinary dogs, scent and the people who work with them can be.A must listen episode.

The London contingent is looking a little weary, while the Scottish contingent is feeling the cold. After the customary weather chat, Lez and Ross move on to the evolution of the domestic dog, ethology, behaviourism and genetics.Their conversation raises more questions than can possibly be answered in a single episode, so watch this space for a dedicated genetics episode in Season 8 or 9. They also discuss the emergence of the “mini Cane Corso” and consider the relationship between selective breeding, physical appearance, health and temperament.Breeding and selection are important, complex and sometimes confusing subjects. What can a Rottweiler’s tail tell us? How valuable is genetic health testing, and what can it realistically tell breeders and owners? We have all the questions but not the answers...From there, the conversation turns to qualifications within the dog industry and what it really means to be qualified. If you are considering studying dog training or behaviour, this part is well worth a listen.Who is teaching you? That should always be one of the first questions you ask.The discussion then moves from industry regulation to artificial intelligence and the possible development of superintelligence, before looking ahead to the penultimate episode of Season 7 and the arrival of the wonderful Louise Wilson from Conservation K9 in two weeks’ time.Finally, Lez and Ross consider two serious and highly topical issues: the movement of dogs into the UK and the continuing concerns surrounding canine brucellosis.Worth a listen... oh yes 😅

What if we have been underestimating dogs all along?.In this episode, we sit down with our wonderful friend and colleague Dave McIver, a retired Police Dog Trainer and Senior Inspector who spent an incredible career working with police dogs across the UK..Dave’s journey started in a rather different direction. After a brief spell in the Army and seeing an advert for the Police Cadets, his ambition was motorcycles. Somehow, that journey ended up taking him into the world of dogs, horses and some truly remarkable experiences..From Sam, his first police dog who famously “failed” for three weeks, to Rocky, a tiny German Shepherd who became part of an extraordinary career, Dave has seen the world of working dogs change almost beyond recognition..And this is where things get really interesting..How do you train a police dog? How has that changed since the 1970s? And what happens when we stop trying to make dogs behave like we want them to and instead start understanding what they are naturally capable of?.Dave takes us from forced retrieves and traditional obedience to modern training methods based on motivation, instinct and the individual dog..Because perhaps the biggest lesson is this: dogs are capable of far more than we give them credit for..We get into the differences between German Shepherds and Malinois, the experimental use of breeds such as Akitas, Ridgebacks and Beaucerons, and the ongoing debate about breeding the right operational dog. Is the Malinois × German Shepherd the ultimate combination, or is the answer simply finding the right individual dog?.We talk about gifted dogs, police breeding programmes and whether success really comes down to genetics, training, experience, knowledge or something much harder to measure..Dave also gives his thoughts on why police dog numbers are falling, why training times have changed and why a better understanding of dogs has completely altered what trainers can achieve..Then we go down the scent trail..Why don't explosive detection dogs get trained to find other scents? What makes a great detection dog? And what can we learn from cadaver dogs and other specialist disciplines?.Along the way, Dave shares some remarkable stories from an extraordinary career, giving us a rare insight into the world of police dogs from someone who has lived it, trained it and watched it evolve..This is a conversation about dogs, training, instinct, policing and the extraordinary things that happen when humans learn to work with what a dog can do rather than simply telling it what to do..An amazing man. An amazing career. An amazing insight into the dogs we think we understand.. ---- 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

It starts with ticks crawling up the walls… apparently they grow very tall in Scotland! Luckily, they haven’t quite managed to reach London, which means Ross is, unsurprisingly, completely disinterested. Oh deer… and apparently Scotland doesn’t really have foxes either! One random wildlife discussion somehow leads to the recent eclipse and disappointment all around. Then there’s the bizarre advice given to dog owners surrounding the eclipse, along with some equally bizarre general advice! We check in with Roixzan, the 15 week old Rottweiler puppy, who has had her first vaccines with a new vet. And, amazingly, adult conversations were had with the vet! Could things finally be changing? Maybe, thanks to some of the forward thinking vets we’ve spoken to on the podcast before… The veterinary chat continues with Andrew Armitage’s updated Librela research, before taking a sharp turn into Lez’s glasses and the pair becoming increasingly concerned about the future of AI! Then it’s on to watermelons, water bowls and the all important question: what exactly are the duo doing to keep their dogs cool? Heat rises… especially in a three storey London townhouse, although apparently it rises even more dramatically in a one storey Scottish house! Finally, the unexpected star of the episode: an enzyme eating cleaner! https://www.topdogturf.co.uk/product/wee-free-ultimutt-2-in-1/ Wildlife, eclipses, puppies, vets, AI, heat, watermelon and cleaning products… basically, everything you never knew you needed in one episode! 😆 ---- 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

It all started with a horse… Like many forward-thinking clinicians, Edward Bach reached a point where simply managing illness wasn’t enough; he wanted to create true wellness. His pioneering work, developed before 1936, led to what we now know as Bach Flower Remedies. So, what are they? What are Bach Flower Remedies, how are they used, and what can they help with? This session offers an intriguing insight, even for the sceptical Londoner. Meanwhile, our Scottish contingent was already a convert, sharing a personal journey involving Faelen the Golden Retriever. Impotence, Impatiens… or just impatience? It’s all about working with the dog in front of you. By combining careful observation with a detailed clinical history, the aim is to find the most appropriate remedy, much like we already do in behaviour work.Keep an open mind… Maybe, just maybe, it’s worth a shot. (Though perhaps don’t begin your bespoke firework desensitisation plan on 4th November…)Separation Anxiety We asked the questions; the rest comes down to listening, trying, and seeing what fits within your current approach. If it works, great. If not, bin it off. You might even find yourself wanting to train as a practitioner. Or you could just suck on a pastille and see how you feel. https://remediesbyros.com/ ---- 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

A political start and a dive into the terrifying world of AI… which is far outside this duo’s remit! Thankfully, the Londoner quickly calls a halt to that to change the vibe. The request is unicorns and rainbows… and then somehow it turns to tortoise sex?! . Obviously, the weather is discussed. Scotland is tropical… jeez! . A serious conversation about the dangers of water, rivers and seas follows. Dogs enjoy the water, but the Gundogs & Guard Dogs Duo are now a little more cautious! . A chat about Roixzan the Rottweiler puppy and her busy weekend leads them into a conversation about socialisation and the complexities of it. How individuals within breeds can differ, how fear can lead to aggression, and how there is a fine line to walk when it comes to socialisation. . Overexcited dogs are a nightmare. Fearful dogs are a nightmare. An honest conversation follows about genetics and the huge part they play in the dog you get. . Puppies are not a blank canvas!! . Therein lies the crux. We all aim for neutrality. . Puppies in the bedroom… how long for? It’s unique and individual! So, when is the best time to get a puppy? Four f*#*ed up seasons to choose from! . Honest conversations follow. Sometimes you are fighting a losing battle, and you need to know when to quit, love, and work with the dog that you have. . Why would these two rather have an aggressive dog than an overfriendly one or a fearful one? . What about competitive dog sports? It’s about the dog… not you! . And Lez ends the podcast with a vast compliment about us looking wrecked.RUDE! ---- 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

The Resource Guarding Special Heating on, gloves on in Scotland… meanwhile, the London contingent is virtually housebound due to the heatwave! They do like to moan, and rightly so! It’s either too hot or too cold to do what they want to do with their dogs! So after the weather update to enthral you all, Lez is in branded attire as usual, Ross is too hot to bother, and they share a quick pupdate on Roixzan the Rottweiler puppy, who somehow managed to stay quiet in the background for the whole recording! And then… BOOM! Resource guarding. That’s the topic. German Shepherds or Rottweilers, who resource guards more? Or maybe the Cocker Spaniel or Cockapoo? Guard dogs guard. No shit Sherlock! Why are people surprised? It’s all about what the individual dog deems important. The owner can’t just upgrade it or swap it out because they think something else should be more valuable. A milk bottle top or a random book might be the highest value reward in the world to that dog. It’s about what the dog perceives, not what the human decides. Resource guarding is normal and natural behaviour, influenced by the individual dog’s drives, genetics, experiences, and learning history. Dog aggression can escalate rapidly because it is so effective. It works very well intraspecifically, but not always so well interspecifically! And for those who didn’t know… Dachshunds have little legs and big jaws! They finish off with a quick chat about Fusion27, swerving Crufts 2027, before the Scottish contingent turns the heating up and the Londoner heads off for another cold shower! ---- 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

Clair Brady, a former CIDBT student, joins Lez and Ross to discuss life. From her first German Shepherd and the horrors of stumbling upon a poor breeder, with little knowledge Clair went ahead and purchased a puppy, with devastating consequences. That moment started her journey into the world of dogs. Life changes for us all, often without notice. Clair moved into dog photography, alongside dog behaviour and training. Then…BOOM! COVID. Exercise like mad or stay at home day drinking? Not Clair. She started a wave of change in her community, while also joining the NHS in her spare time. Absolutely inspirational. Her payback? A motorbike accident, with life-changing results. Now paralysed with a spinal injury from T5. So what’s life like meeting dogs at a lower level? Is there a difference in how dogs perceive a wheelchair user? Does knowledge of dog behaviour affect your view of vulnerability? Or are people more vulnerable, the elderly, pregnant mothers, those encountering dogs? Is this fear rational, or irrational? Just another reason to think about what responsible dog ownership really is. Whatever you think, Clair Brady has certainly made a difference, and you didn't even know her name - until now...So many amazing people walk amongst us. They don’t have a billion Instagram followers, they just care, live their lives, and make a difference. Maybe we should all try to be a bit more Clair. ---- 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

Two very special guests have arrived… oh no, wait, it’s just the hosts. . This episode starts with the sperm and the egg, takes a detour through labels and mental health, and somehow finds its way back again. Let’s just all be thankful social media wasn’t around when these two were younger! . Recorded in the middle of another heatwave, the North/South divide gets a mention as Ross and Lez discuss the cancellation of the Royal Windsor and Greenwich Dog Shows and the challenges and responsibilities of working with and owning dogs in extreme temperatures. . The extra special guest is Roixzan, the 8 week old Rottweiler puppy. She is AMAZING. The separation struggles have already started, but to be fair, they’re only three days in! . After a little wander into puppy socialisation and training, Lez somehow manages to make it all about her again with a return to The Pet Gundog series, her other training books, and the exciting news that another book is on the way. Like a dog with a bone, she doesn’t let go of the Pet Gundog topic for the rest of the episode, much to Ross’s amusement . . The weather returns with recent storms, flooded fields, and dogs having the time of their lives in conditions their humans would rather avoid. . Then it’s back to rescue dogs and the gorgeous little Latte, who Ross absolutely fell in love with. The conversation explores the difficult nuances of giving dogs the best lives possible, how the dog world has changed for both better and worse, and the differences between gundogs living in homes and traditional kennel environments. . There’s also a special mention for Dorje the Tibetan Terrier and the wonderful owners Ross worked with over the years, contrasted with the heartbreaking increase in people simply giving up and dumping their dogs. It’s a hard conversation and one that leads to the conclusion that things may be worse than they’ve ever been. . The pair also touch on the Advanced Dog Ownership Initiative (ADOI.org.uk), look back at previous episodes, and finish with the usual shameless request to like, follow and share. . A little chaotic. A lot of dogs. Plenty of opinions. Exactly what you’d expect.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”, Maya Angelou The jury is in, but not everyone has heard the verdict. In this eye-opening episode, we’re joined once again by the brilliant veterinarian Dr Lise Hansen to explore the evolving science of neutering in dogs, both male and female. What do we really know in 2026? From mammary cancer and testicular cancer to pyometra and beyond, we dig into the latest research on health, longevity, and hormonal impact. We also unpack the growing role of Suprelorin implants, and what they mean for the future of canine care. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth, some of what we’ve been told for years is outdated. In some cases, it’s irresponsible, it’s dangerous, it’s out. Major organisations like WSAVA, BVA, and BSAVA are shifting their guidance, but the message isn’t filtering through. Changing long-held beliefs, and the culture around routine neutering, is proving harder than the science itself. This conversation challenges assumptions and puts evidence front and centre. We explore how neutering decisions can affect a dog’s overall health, and take a deeper look at phantom pregnancies, female hormones, and why, apparently, the boys might have it a little easier. See, we said it wouldn’t be just talking bollocks! ---- 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

Flappy things, flying tangents, and a very warm welcome back! This episode kicks off with a not-so-gentle reminder to like, rate, and share, because apparently that’s what they’re supposed to say. They don’t share a threesome… not quite the terminology they were going for when describing guest episodes! It’s HOT in Scotland… 24 degrees. Their London representative scoffs at that while recording in 35 degrees. Lez has been bargain shopping to keep her dogs cool… Ross may have slightly lost the will to live listening to it! The conversation moves on to pop-up tents in the lounge and a throwback to the 80s with door coverings. Naturally, it turns back to the heatwave and how that affects the dogs and their work. Dog professionals cancelling everything, while dog owners carry on as normal! There’s a review of the CIDBT and GoDT networking event, which was AWESOME. Plenty of food… but no headset microphone for pri-Madonna! A quick chat about Golden (or Cream!) Retriever breeding and genetics. Then a more sombre moment touching on the AvD Night Trials… the less said about the week’s events, the better. Distasteful. The ice is broken by a sneeze, just before little Latte is introduced, followed by a lesson in pronunciation… which is nothing short of laughable listening to those two! It started with hairy balls and ended with saggy scrotums.Don’t forget to rate and review this wonderful content! ---- 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

David Cavill joins Lez and Ross to chat about a life in dogs that spans well over 50 years. The man has a CV in dogs beyond imagination. It all started with a Finnish Spitz puppy, courtesy of his wife Angela, and led to an incredible journey through the dog world. David and Angela’s Toveri Finnish Spitz are internationally renowned and admired, even by the Finns themselves. From Animal Care College through Battersea, Our Dogs, and PETbc, you can’t have a journey like this without learning a huge amount about both dogs and people. How has the world of show dogs changed over the last 50 years, and why? Do Pedigree Chum and Mars have anything to do with it? How have the breeds we own changed? What about aesthetics and temperament? Where have all the proper dog people gone? And what about designer crossbreeds and “hybrid vigour”? Genetics might be more complicated than that. Rottweilers these days are said to be p***y cats. Not in West London for the working dog fanatic, but they’re certainly different from 30 years ago. More sound than ever? Maybe. Maybe not. Big rescue charities, what’s really driving them? Saving dogs or paying staff? What does your donation actually do? Popular breeds keep shifting. The Dachshund is top of the pops, and no, it’s not a “dash-hound”. Society itself feels a bit all over the place. Plenty of questions here, not all the answers. But a fascinating, honest chat with one of the dog world’s most influential figures. ---- 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

A wonderful conversation with Adem Fehmi, who very kindly does most of the talking (ranting!), allowing Lez and Ross to enjoy something of a day off. From a childhood love of animals to a successful career, it all started with Trigger, the West Highland White Terrier. Adem has now been working with dogs for over three decades, and like many of us, his journey began with a passion that grew, supported along the way by mentorship from some of the big names in obedience. This episode goes on to explore a wide range of topics, including the rise in dog bites, changes in breeds and lifestyles, and puppy rearing, both when it’s done right and when it’s done very wrong. The discussion also touches on imported street dogs, variations within breeds, and the role of breeders, with a clear message throughout that education needs to happen at every level. If you’d like to meet Adem in person, join him on 24th May at the Greenwich Dog Show, where he’ll be representing The House of Health & Wellbeing at the historic Old Royal Naval College, alongside your very own Mr McCarthy. Learn more:The House of Health & Wellbeing Event location:Old Royal Naval College So sit back, take a breath, maybe keep your blood pressure meds nearby, and enjoy this fascinating conversation. ---- 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

There’s a big difference between theory and practice… and they’re right in the middle of it.It starts in the “pleasure zone,” or at least it should. One of them has been working, the other playing, and somehow they both end up exhausted. Between the yawns, they attempt a quick dive into Lez’s behaviour masterclass… until Ross derails things with a passionate rant about a tree.But that’s just the warm-up.This episode takes a serious turn as they tackle the growing issue of fatal dog attacks in the UK. Rising rescue numbers, soaring puppy prices, and devastating consequences — from babies to pensioners, lives are being lost.It’s a difficult, emotional conversation. There are more questions than answers, and a lot of frustration about where things are going wrong, from ownership and training to wider cultural attitudes. Why are people struggling to understand the animals they claim to love?They don’t solve it, but they don’t shy away from it either.And there are some incredible guests lined up for the episodes ahead.Stick with them. It gets better. ---- 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

Let’s start with something that might make you uncomfortable. What if everything you’ve been told about vaccinating your dog isn’t entirely true? What if the idea of the “annual vaccination” isn’t just outdated, but flat-out wrong? Because here’s the reality—there is no such thing as an annual vaccination. So why are so many people still doing it? And while we’re at it, why are we so obsessed with controlling every tiny risk that we forget to actually let dogs be dogs? Let them sniff. Let them explore. Because the irony is, in trying to protect them from everything, we might be causing harm anyway. If you’ve ever felt uneasy about this—if you’ve ever thought, “Hang on, this doesn’t quite add up…” you’re not wrong. And you’re definitely not alone. So maybe it’s time to ask a bigger question. Are we making decisions based on science, or habit? Or worse—money? Because here’s where it gets uncomfortable. Even the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, as mainstream as it gets, says very clearly: vaccinate as little as possible. Not every year. Not automatically. As little as possible. So again, why is that not what’s happening everywhere? Let’s talk about risk. Vaccines are not neutral. They have side effects. Sometimes mild, sometimes not. We’re talking immune reactions that can range from nothing, to seizures, to chronic disease, to death. And yet, how often is that conversation actually had openly and honestly, without being shut down? And here’s another one. Does it make any sense that a tiny Pomeranian and a massive Great Dane get the exact same dose? Same injection. Same volume. No adjustment. Really? Then there’s leptospirosis. Lepto 2. Lepto 4. Non-core vaccines. So what’s the real risk of the disease, and what’s the real risk of the vaccine? Because those are not the same conversation, but they’re often treated like they are. Now let’s talk puppies, because this is where things start to unravel. Multiple vaccines, strict schedules—and yet, we don’t actually know which vaccine will take. So we give more, and more, instead of asking why not test first? Why not use titre testing to see what immunity already exists? Because in many cases, one successful vaccine may be enough. And then we hit the real dilemma—socialisation versus vaccination. Because here’s the truth nobody wants to say out loud. If you keep your puppy locked away “just to be safe,” you might be trading one risk for a much bigger one: fear, anxiety, aggression, and in the worst cases, behavioural euthanasia. So what’s actually more dangerous? A controlled exposure to the real world, or raising a dog that’s terrified of it? We talk a lot about safety, but life itself involves risk. And maybe part of responsible dog ownership is learning which risks actually matter. And before we wrap this intro—worming, flea treatments. Routine. Automatic. Constant. But based on what? Evidence, or just what we’ve always done? This isn’t a comfortable conversation. It’s not supposed to be. Because asking better questions means challenging what feels familiar, and that makes people nervous. Good. It should. This is just the beginning. And we’re going all the way in.Dr Lise Hansen—let’s talk about what’s really going on. 🎙️🔥https://alternative-vet.co.uk/ ---- 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. They were '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