The Curious Case of the Dogfather: Is he a wizard, a wise man, or just really good at TV?

I get asked about this man a lot.

Clients mention him. Friends ask if I’ve seen the show. Random people at the park want to know if he’s “actually any good”.

So let’s talk about Graeme Hall aka The Dogfather: Is he a wizard, a wise man, or just really good at TV?

You’ve seen him on telly. Calm voice. Nice shirts. Problem dogs sorted before the next ad break. Graeme Hall - The Dogfather. Purveyor of canine miracles and polite sighs. But who is this man? And more importantly, who told him he could train your dog?

Let’s investigate.

First up, does he have a qualification in dog training?

Short answer: No.

Slightly longer answer: Absolutely not, unless you count a BA in Spanish.

Graeme Hall went to the University of Hull and got a degree in Hispanic Studies. Useful if your Labrador happens to be from Madrid. Less so if your dog is trying to chew the gas man.

No diplomas in dog behaviour. No regulated courses. No letters after his name. Just Spanish.

But he’s a Master Dog Trainer, right?

Ah yes. Master. Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Very robes‑and‑wand. Possibly handed down by a council of ancient bearded men with Border Collies at their feet.

In reality, it comes from the Guild of Dog Trainers, who decide if you’re a Master based on your experience, ethics, and the general sense that you’re not making it all up. It’s not a qualification. It’s more like a big pat on the back from other dog people.

There’s no exam. No dissertation. No dog whispering finals. You just need to have done enough stuff and not annoyed too many people.

So how did he end up on telly telling people how to live?

Because he’s good at it.

Graeme Hall is a confident speaker. He’s likeable. He has an aura of “I’ve got this, don’t worry”, which is very comforting when your Cockapoo is foaming at the window because a squirrel dared breathe outside.

TV doesn’t check your qualifications. It checks if you can talk to camera and make an aggressive Chihuahua seem like light entertainment. Which he can. Very well.

The producers don’t ask if your training methods align with current behavioural science. They ask if you can fix the dog before the next episode of Traffic Cops.

What do the professionals think?

Mixed, to say the least.

Some shout into the void of the internet about it. Trainers who’ve spent years doing diplomas, regulated assessments, and terrifying practical exams involving a Labrador with commitment issues - they’re not thrilled.

Critics argue that Hall’s methods are outdated, rely too much on confrontation, and gloss over the hard stuff. Others say it’s just too simplified to be safe, especially for dogs with serious problems. It’s like giving everyone the same instructions for how to drive a tank. You might get lucky. You might end up on fire in a ditch.

Is he a fraud?

No. He’s not pretending to have qualifications he doesn’t have. He’s not selling snake oil out of a van. He’s just a bloke who’s been around dogs for years, got good at talking about it, and landed on the telly. Fair play.

But it’s important to say this: he’s not a regulated trainer or behaviourist. He’s not on the ABTC register, and he hasn’t done the recognised study routes that most professionals would recommend.

So what should you do if your dog is a menace?

If you're just after a bit of help with sit, stay, or “stop nicking my toast”, you might think watching a few episodes and scribbling down notes will do the trick. Just be wary though. What looks good after a slick edit might not be how it actually played out. There's often more going on than you’re shown.

But if your dog is anxious, aggressive, reactive, or likely to eat a child’s face at a birthday party — you want someone with regulated qualifications, not just nice shirts.

Look for:

- Registration with the ABTC (Animal Behaviour Training Council)

- A qualification from a recognised body like APDT, PPG, ABTC or a University.

- Evidence they’ve been assessed, tested, and can explain why your dog is doing what it’s doing without blaming the moon

Final word

Graeme Hall is not a villain. But he’s not a behaviourist either. He’s a polished, confident dog trainer with a media career and a background in Spanish.

Don’t confuse TV appeal with technical skill. And always check that the person teaching your dog not to bite postmen knows what they’re doing - in any language.