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PODCAST - Gundogs And Guard Dogs

Lez Graham, MA & Ross McCarthy MA, podcasts on all things canine

Lez and Ross's podcast

A fortnightly podcast from two dog behaviourists and award-winning trainers, discussing dogs, difficulties and life in general.
www.rossmccarthy.com
lezgraham.com

Celebrating their many differences as well as their united togetherness.

Lez and Ross's podcast
Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 6, Episode 7 - Do Gundogs need Guard Dogs?

aired 28 November 2025

Thank goodness, Gundogs are off the menu, Guard Dogs are in.
Charles Wall from A1K9 joins the team today. From a dog-mad little kid, the “dog boy” many of us once were, to carving out a career with personal protection dogs, his story echoes the journeys of so many dog lovers.

From a hobby to a business, from Exchange and Mart to Koehler dog training books to wrapping newspaper around your arm, this is how we grow. Are some of the old books still the best, or are we forever trying to reinvent the wheel?

What is a personal protection dog? The martial artist of the dog world?
What separates sport dogs, security dogs, and dogs trained specifically for family and home protection ?

We explore what truly makes a personal protection dog, the importance of breed lines, and whether a Malinois can work as a protection dog in a family home.Surprisingly, yes… but where they originate is critical.Maybe Dutch really is better than Belgian.

There is a bit of a rant about how, in the UK, we continue to get things wrong in almost every aspect of dog breeding and training.
Who gets a personal protection dog?
How is the changing face of crime influencing this ? The team delicately swerves the topic of illegal immigration, but it is still a wake - up call.

Scary times.
Government statistics might suggest crime is declining, but we all know that may not be the case. Prescribed use of force and the wider security industry come into the conversation too.

And once again, the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 appears, opening a frightening hornets’ nest of what future legislation might bring.

It seems easy to sort out this mess, yet incredibly difficult and exhausting at the same time.

Runtime: 1 hr 10 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 6, Episode 4 - Do you have a qualification, or are you qualified?

aired 17 October 2025

In this gloriously moany episode, we dive headfirst into the murky waters of what it really means to be qualified in the dog world. Are you genuinely trained and educated—or just good at looking the part online?
We kick off with a wildly unscientific theory from the Scottish side about why time speeds up as you age (spoiler: the Londoner calls BS). From there, it’s a nostalgic detour into school days: teachers lighting up, sneaky cigarette passes, and Ross getting a ruler wrapped round his head.Classic.

Then we’re onto the good stuff: skiving, consequence - free parenting, consequence - free dog training, and one bizarre but surprisingly helpful PSA about what happens if your car breaks down with dogs inside.

From the Dandie Dinmont(the only dog breed named after a fictional character!) to cockers, Malamutes, Ridgebacks, and the eternal Norfolk vs Norwich terrier debate—we’re digging deep into breed - specific behaviour. We even throw in a dermoid sinus just to keep things weird.

Eventually, inevitably, we land on qualifications. Ofqual’s gutting the dog training and behaviour framework, the industry remains unregulated, and everyone’s got an opinion. So we’ve got one question: are you qualified—or do you just have a qualification?

Rants, facts, laughs, and a few bonkers tangents.
Welcome to another episode where we say what dog pros are thinking - but rarely say out loud.

Share the love. Share the rant. Swerve the nonsense. And always do the best you can—for the dogs.

Runtime: 54 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 6, Episode 3 - A Round Peg in a Round Hole: Dogs4Wildlife with Jacquie Law

aired 3 October 2025

In this episode, we sit down with Jacquie Law from Dogs4Wildlife — a woman whose journey into conservation and canine training is nothing short of inspiring. We start with a bit of background on Jacquie and her work alongside partner Darren at Extremus Dog Training, before diving into the incredible world of anti-poaching dogs in Africa — all of which began with just one Belgian Malinois puppy. 🐾 From early neurological stimulation to ensure pups are fit for protection and detection work, to the unique role of the native Africanis dog(yes, we had to Google it too!) — this episode explores how the right dogs, in the right hands, are changing the conservation landscape. Jacquie also shares upcoming collaborations in African dog rescue, supporting not only animals but the wider communities where these programs operate. But it’s not all feel - good stories.We confront the brutal reality of poaching — from tragic snare traps to the stark contrast between subsistence survival and the multimillion - pound illegal wildlife trade.As Jacquie puts it: 'When you become aware of one issue, a ripple of others follows.' 🦏 We touch on the controversial topic of rhino dehorning, the development of female - only ranger teams(and their incredible impact), and how being vegan might be influencing change in unexpected ways. Also featured: A shout -out to Rachel Bean RVN for delivering vital Canine First Aid training in the field. The ongoing education of new dog handlers and the art of reading canine body language. A nod to UK Police Dogs and a quick detour into the world of the Bavarian Mountain Hound. Ultimately, this episode is about collaboration, compassion, and commitment.There’s no room for egos in conservation — only teamwork, education, and action.Funding is always needed, so if you’re moved by this conversation, please consider donating to Dogs4Wildlife and be part of the solution. 🎧 Tune in and discover how one puppy helped kickstart a movement that’s saving lives — both human and animal. https://www.dogs4wildlife.org/

Runtime: 55 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 6, Episode 2 - A house without a dog is just a house

aired 20 September 2025

This episode is all about the Guard Dogs – with a nod to the Gundogs – and a brief detour into the life of a proud pheasant plucker! After the obligatory weather chat and a vague mention of upcoming podcasts (as usual, confusion reigns), we try to figure out whether the Beagles were in New Zealand or Hong Kong.From Borzoi to Landseers doing competitive obedience - we question whether watching Border Collies in dog sport is more exciting than watching paint dry. The jury’s out. We get serious with a discussion on Osteosarcoma, including an update on little Aiidh the Rottweiler, and all the heartbreak and hard decisions that come with being a responsible dog owner. Then it's on to Leucillin for tails and fannies – naturally – which leads into another rant about dog owners in public places. In Dog Law Corner: this week’s top tip – just stay home and don’t let anyone in. Simple. There’s a Bitework for Behaviourists update too – covering the mysterious and very niche role of the decoy / helper in training.We chat about security dogs, protection dogs, and IGP – that’s Internationale Gebrauchshund Prüfung if you’re feeling continental. Want to know how to trigger aggression? Or, more importantly, how not to? We’ve got you.

Plus:
  • Why we can happily watch 12 serial murders before bed but can’t cope when the dog dies in a film.
  • The return of the kitchen window vest, a squinty dummy, and a rebrand that may or may not be going to plan.
  • And a typically unfiltered look at the state of the UK… dog - wise, mostly.

Finally… it’s all about the breed specifics!

Runtime: 57 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 5, Episode 14 - Joint Rot What's in a name

aired 11 July 2025

Joint Rot What's in a name. Disappointing Conversations…Is human behavioural change even possible. Ball thrower Bollocks. You are not stopping… you are changing. Not the end of the road, just a change of direction. After a giggly start at our guest’s expense, we dive into an overview of Hannah’s veterinary career – a path that led her to specialise in chronic pain management for our companion animals and to the subsequent development of Canine Arthritis Management(CAM). Her solo journey, alongside her dog, quickly evolved into something much bigger – now involving a growing team and a wide support network. An interest in complementary therapies and how they can work alongside veterinary medicine spurred Hannah on to ensure that veterinary professionals do better when it comes to managing chronic pain in dogs. Hannah very much lives in the real world and recognises that people may have a budget… or, in some cases, no budget at all.With this in mind, she brings different perspectives and aims to raise awareness of osteoarthritis through education – ultimately to reduce suffering in dogs. We explore the difficulty of spotting subtle signs of pain, and the challenges in reaching a diagnosis.We also ask why arthritis isn’t always taken as seriously as other long-term conditions.When poorly managed, this can be a terminal disease – perhaps ‘joint rot’ is a more appropriate name? So, what is arthritis ? What causes it, what makes it worse, and what can we do to manage it? Ethical and welfare considerations are, of course, always at the forefront of decision - making.As we often do, we wander into a discussion about what people should be doing better when it comes to breeding or selecting dogs – stopping physiological suffering at the source. Perhaps it all comes down to where people want to invest their time and energy? We even dared to mention joint care supplements – which led to a fascinating discussion. Maybe your money is better spent on a rug for the laminate floor ?! There are some brilliant resources on the CAM website – especially tips on how to refer clients to the vet with observations from a trained eye – so get involved and support the movement. https://caninearthritis.co.uk/

Runtime: 1 hr 20 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 5, Episode 13 - Killing them with Kindness

aired 27 June 2025

Killing them with kindness Got any tips? In this episode, things kick off the usual way: a bit of a ramble, no real structure, and plenty of honest chat, laced with sarcasm(Scottish) and snark(London). There’s no guest this time, which means the nonsense levels are dangerously high—but somehow, it works.After book awards, CIDBT Fast-Track students they move on to the kind of conversations the industry usually avoids. There’s a glimpse into what’s coming next season: proper guests, serious topics…the best season yet!! But for now, it’s just two behaviour professionals, fed up with the same old patterns.Thirty years on, and still people are getting it wrong.Kindness, it turns out, can be fatal.If the dog ends up worse off or dead, is that kind ? Social media gets a bashing(as it should).So do predictable cases: guarding cockapoos, rehoming that’s barely an option anymore, the legal and moral mess that dogs and their people are left to navigate. And yes, scrotums come up again—don’t ask. There’s also a strange detour into black - and - white rabies films that traumatised a generation(well, half of them—one was too young to remember, or possibly not even born). Vaccines, eyebrow ticks, Brucella, and a whole lot of professional firefighting. One of them’s not quite functioning. The other’s battling an itchy ear.Somehow, they hold it together long enough to call time before it all falls apart. It’s mostly nonsense, a few proper insights, and more than a few laughs.Next time? A guest to keep things(marginally) on track. 🎧 Shoutout to Paul Quinlan at The Traditional Leather Lead Co—makers of proper kit for dogs… and maybe podcast hosts too.

Runtime: 45 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 5, Episode 12 - The Right People at The Right Time

aired 13 June 2025

The usual fluffed-up introduction by the London element makes way for a fascinating, onward discussion. Her childhood sharing her grandparents’ dogs—having been denied her own—led Anna to discover the world of dog training. Discovering clicker training at a young age, a love affair with obedience began! From Pre-Beginner in Kennel Club Obedience to Ticket and Crufts qualifiers, and on to Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) obedience. Coming from a family of teachers, it was only natural that Anna would start to teach people alongside their dogs. With the support of the UK Kennel Club, Anna was awarded the pleasure of representing the UK in the FCI Obedience World Championships in 2024. Sadly, she couldn’t attend, but she’s now set for the 2025 World Champs! The Kennel Club also invited Anna on numerous occasions to demonstrate FCI Obedience at the wonderful Crufts Dog Show. Anna explains the levels and classes of FCI Obedience, the exercises required, and the vast variations between KC and FCI Obedience qualifications. She also shares the fascinating differences between countries and their requirements—for example, the BH is a prerequisite to competing in Germany.Oh… and by the way, AD means Ausdauerprüfung(Endurance Test). FCI Obedience is a fantastic mix of various disciplines… so listen in and get involved(all breeds welcome… with some caveats!) Check out the socials: / annaherzogdogsports / fciobedienceuk

Runtime: 55 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 5, Episode 9 - Semantics & Dirty Words

aired 2 May 2025

Oh jeez. It’s hot in Scotland, so the shoes are off and the moans are on. Lez is so tired she looks like she’s been punched in both eyes—and she gives Ross the same compliment, which, surprisingly, goes down well. Once a light finally gets turned on, they dive into the Scottish Animal Welfare Council’s report on aversive training methods. After 80 complaints over four years—most of them totally unwarranted—here we are again. Back to talking about industry regulation. Should the RCVS be involved? No, of course not. Then it’s onto what aversives actually are—touching on the ecollar, the honesty, and more importantly, the dishonesty that’s floating around the industry.The usual suspects are making the usual noise. It’s a ranty one. Where’s the compassion? For people and their dogs? What’s so terrible about a quick fix? Dogs don’t live long enough—we’ve got to sort out problems efficiently so they can live their best lives. What even is animal welfare ? Sheep running from dogs until their lungs explode? Is raising a dog more complex than raising a child? Possibly.But dogs? They just want a bit of leadership.They don’t need to become fur - kids or carry the burden of your societal shifts. And what’s “positive,” anyway? Open your eyes. If your ideology ends in euthanasia, then maybe—it wasn’t that positive to begin with. It’s not rocket science. Just keep an open mind.And remember: all that glitters is not gold.

Runtime: 48 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 5, Episode 8 - A Married Man: From Harry Potter via James Bond to Batman and Beyond

aired 18 April 2025

Growing up in Germany with a dog enthusiast for a mother, Mic would have rather played football! It’s amazing how those early years shaped his later career in the Police. Although not a driving force for Mic, they certainly propelled him forward to his successful career as a Police Dog Handler, which later opened the door to working with the BBC and Warner Brothers Studios. The conversation begins at the start, where we discover how the face of the Police Dog Section has evolved. After an occupational injury and a few wrong decisions, life in the Police came to an end, and a flourishing career as a civilian dog trainer began. This included work with clients, as well as film projects, both behind and in front of the camera. Who the hell is Phil Thompson? MI6 needs Military Police Dogs… who are you going to call? Mic Martin! A facial hair dilemma, a fleece, parquet flooring, an introduction to the BBC, and tips on how to handle the haters, as well as how to make a difference to charities using your status. Another lesson in how and why to rehome your husband and what it's like to work with celebrities – from the gorgeous and friendly Jason Statham, to the cigarette-smoking Daniel Radcliffe, and the not-so-forthcoming Emma Watson. We explore how the world of film can mirror real life and leave a real impact on the experiences and memories we hold. We conclude with a ‘thank you’ for some refreshing normality...and a stalker issue! He’s just a bloke from Wolverhampton. How the fuck we got through this without Mic swearing is a miracle!

Runtime: 1 hr 4 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 5, Episode 6 - How to Re-home Your Husband

aired 21 March 2025

From the Council House to the Countryside via Canine Karaoke with Di Stevens 🐾 Forget Guard Dogs…this podcast delves into everything Gundog, Gundog and more Gundog! Field Trials, Labradors, and Working Tests, to Show Dogs and much more! Ross and Lez are joined by the amazing Di Stevens, with a career that starts with breaking horses and discovering the Labrador breed, and now has made remarkable strides in the world of Gundogs, achieving success across multiple disciplines. Starting with a couple of Chocolate Labradors in the breed ring, she then moved into the working field, qualifying dogs in multiple disciplines. The London contingent often finds discussions about birds, killing animals, and life beyond the M25 somewhat distasteful… and interestingly, so do many Gundog enthusiasts!This sparks an intriguing conversation about the ethics of Country Sports and how we all must remain true to our moral compass. As always, the conversation circles back to nature vs. nurture, and finding the right dog for the job. Why can't you enter the Grand Prix in a Fiat Panda? Di's passion for her discipline is evident as she keeps her fingers firmly in every pie related to Gundogs. Prepare yourself for some eye-opening insights into the often-overlooked weaknesses of breed judges. We also discuss how Gundog training in the UK and Europe has improved significantly in recent years.Thankfully, our understanding of living with, and working alongside, our companion dogs has evolved—it's all about the relationships we build.

Runtime: 58 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 5, Episode 3 - Dog Safety - something's got to give

aired 7 February 2025

The unusual moany greeting…it takes 2 seconds to get on to moaning about the weather…that sets the scene for a talk about dog safety. Ooh…did someone mention ‘positive only training’? Bribing dogs ignoring dogs and growing into behaviour issues! Neuroplasticity…”it don’t work like that!” Self-rewarding behaviours and turning around and ignoring the dog jumping up whilst your back is left gushing with blood! It’s a bit of a moany one…but the dog world is a mess and we can’t escape that…despite the wave of 'Science-based' bullsh…erm methodology. Sniffy walks Vs appropriate physical exercise. What actually makes dogs happy? It’s certainly not what some people think or promote! Fatal dog attacks and the Malinois…2 babies killed. The rise of the Cane Corso the questions about the XL Bully. The North and South divide are both just perplexed by the stupidity and naivety of people. They chat about the Dog Safety Education Executive (DogSEE.org) and the #puthecameradown campaign. Unfortunately we don’t live in Disney land and we have to keep it real! And it’s not just aggression and bites that can cause injuries or issues…how can people be educated with so much crap on the socials?! Breed Books and telling the truth. Go in with your eyes open… not all dogs are the same. They have more questions than answers…but something has got to give. They may somewhat overegg the pudding at times, but that’s based on the horrors that they have seen (lucky for you...some of the conversations about dog related fatalities were kept off the Podcast…Lez and Ross didn’t need the images in their head and so were kind enough not to pass that on to you!) They close with recent bite stats and hospitalisations and reiterate never to be complacent. All doom and gloom…get your public liability insurance and support your local rescue charities rather than the big ones who fuel the problem.

Runtime: 56 mins

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 4, Episode 14 - Spit or Swallow

aired 11 October 2024

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!

Runtime: 1 hr 1 min

Lez and Ross's podcast

Season 4, Episode 13 - Take Another Breath: Dog Law with Trevor Cooper

aired 27 September 2024

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!

Runtime: 57 mins