The Dog Academy

[Supertrooper]

Did anyone watch? Expected it to be so annoying I wouldn’t be able to cope with it but actually was better than expected

The only thing is that it makes out that the issues are solved quickly so wish they’d given a timeline of how long things did take to solve

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I fell asleep in the middle of it

 

[Landcruiser]

Quite enjoyed it but I don't hold out a lot of hope for the long term relationship of Bear's owners somehow .
I adore The Dog House by the same production team.

 

[Supertrooper]

Quite enjoyed it but I don't hold out a lot of hope for the long term relationship of Bear's owners somehow .
I adore The Dog House by the same production team.

Nor me in truth

 

[ArklePig]

When it ended I was shouting at bears female owner to get a divorce anyway! He does not respect her at all.

ETA - I meant the husband, but neither did the dog to be fair.

 

[Teaselmeg]

I loved it, so refreshing to have force free training on TV and also that they showed a dog with a bite history being helped without aversives having to be used.

I agree about the husband though, what an a**e

 

[MurphysMinder]

I thought it was better than some programmes, but have a feeling Bear will soon revert to his previous behaviour. Tbh I can't believe they let it get to the stage where the dog was snapping at the children and husband still didn't seem bothered.

 

[rabatsa]

I did not get past the opening credits as my dog was all for attacking the tv.

 

[Escapade]

Mine lifted her head, gave the most disapproving look I've ever seen, complete disdain. Promptly went back asleep

 

[Parrotperson]

I just wish they concentrated on one dog at a time.
No way they changed Bear’s behaviour with two or three goes at scenting a bit of chicken! Ridiculous.

badly edited too. I found it very frustrating. As for bear’s ‘dad’ well he wouldn’t last long in my house. Idiot.

 

[Supertrooper]

I just wish they concentrated on one dog at a time.
No way they changed Bear’s behaviour with two or three goes at scenting a bit of chicken! Ridiculous.

badly edited too. I found it very frustrating. As for bear’s ‘dad’ well he wouldn’t last long in my house. Idiot.

That’s my issue with it, it’s a very unrealistic view of the amount of time and commitment it takes to turn any behaviour issues around especially complex ones

 

[some show]

Definitely a step in the right direction showing positive reinforcement training on tv! But yeah it's a shame they have to wrap up by the end of each episode, meaning it seems unrealistically simple - the way they dealt with the chihuahua's reactivity with the stuffed toy was great (if a bit hurried), and they obviously worked on her for a while, but the editing made it seem like they were able to go straight to an off-lead meeting after apparently only a few 'goes' with the owner. Plus the 'stunt dog' was obviously chosen for being very good at appeasement/calming signals.

Still, I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next ep! I'd love to watch them work on just a few dogs' issues over a whole series with more depth, but probably would bore most people not to see a 'quick fix'!

 

[Moobli]

I got annoyed at it very quickly so turned off.
It’s not a patch on The Dog House.

 

[BallyRoanBaubles]

I forgot about this thanks for the reminder going to watch on catch up!

 

[ArklePig]

Did anyone watch this last night? Their was a deaf dalmatian who pulled on the lead a lot so I watched with interest! The way they dealt with him made sense and did seem like they were careful to say it would be an ongoing process. The husband this week was a bit of a melter top but not as bad as bear's human male from last week.

 

[splashgirl45]

After the latest dogs behaving badly it doesn’t do my heart any good. I was very upset about the way the Italian greyhound puppy was dealt with and at no time did Graham say he is a baby and just left mum and siblings, he gave the impression the poor little thing was playing up.. I won’t now watch that program again and it put me off of watching the dog academy although I saw a couple of bits which didn’t really impress me as once again they give the impression that everything can be fixed immediately which is no good for novice dog owners as they won’t realise how much patience and persistence is needed..

 

[stormox]

I know the trainers are all good, and know their dogs.
However I really can't believe how bad owners let their dogs get before seeking advice.
Also they made it seem like it was always the people's fault whilst the dog's breed and genetics need to be taken into account.

 

[ArklePig]

I know the trainers are all good, and know their dogs.
However I really can't believe how bad owners let their dogs get before seeking advice.
Also they made it seem like it was always the people's fault whilst the dog's breed and genetics need to be taken into account.

I couldn't believe that nice couple put up with 8 YEARS of their dog going off like that at the windscreen wipers. I would have cracked up.

ETA- I did basically buy my dog a car that can fit a crate though, which has stopped her car barking, so I'm in no place to judge really.

 

[SilverLinings]

I know the trainers are all good, and know their dogs.
However I really can't believe how bad owners let their dogs get before seeking advice.
Also they made it seem like it was always the people's fault whilst the dog's breed and genetics need to be taken into account.

I haven't seen the Dog Academy but clearly the calibre of owners doesn't improve. I watched an episode of 'It's me or the Dog' with Victoria ?Stilwell 15-20 years ago where she had been called in to help a family with a couple of very boisterous Boxers. The biggest problem the owners had was that the (adult) dogs weren't toilet trained, it turned out that the owners thought that dogs toilet-trained themselves, and they had done NOTHING to help the dogs learn that they should only toilet outdoors. Funnily enough, once Victoria trained the owners, the dogs were more than happy to stop toiletting in the house!

 

[On the Hoof]

My dog trainer knows one of the trainers on the programme and asked how long they spend with each dog. Apparently its either half a day or a whole day and the owners are given the opportunity to have follow ups although I wonder how many of them would bother. I do think that they should have a disclaimer on there about need for ongoing training in the real world, as of course their set up is perfect little spaces where distractions are controlled so its possible to achieve something there that wont necessarily carry into the real world unless the owners continue to work in the way that they have been shown etc.

 

[Supertrooper]

My dog trainer knows one of the trainers on the programme and asked how long they spend with each dog. Apparently its either half a day or a whole day and the owners are given the opportunity to have follow ups although I wonder how many of them would bother. I do think that they should have a disclaimer on there about need for ongoing training in the real world, as of course their set up is perfect little spaces where distractions are controlled so its possible to achieve something there that wont necessarily carry into the real world unless the owners continue to work in the way that they have been shown etc.

I’m surprised it’s such a short amount of time and nowhere near enough to actually change the behaviours and train the owner

Hopefully most of the owners do take up the additional training but in my experience once the majority realise actually that it’s really down to them they give up

The Dalmatian owners are annoying me

 

[Teaselmeg]

My dog trainer knows one of the trainers on the programme and asked how long they spend with each dog. Apparently its either half a day or a whole day and the owners are given the opportunity to have follow ups although I wonder how many of them would bother. I do think that they should have a disclaimer on there about need for ongoing training in the real world, as of course their set up is perfect little spaces where distractions are controlled so its possible to achieve something there that wont necessarily carry into the real world unless the owners continue to work in the way that they have been shown etc.

They have talked about there being no quick fix etc.

I know one of the trainer's who dealt with the elderly couples dog in this weeks episode. They still keep in touch ( this was filmed last summer), the dog is doing great and has not reverted back to the previous behaviour. I thought that both cases showed how thinking outside the box when looking for triggers for behaviour is really key. I think other TV trainers would not have had the same approach, to the detriment of the dog.

 

[Sandstone1]

I have not watched this particular programme but in general think TV dog trainers do more harm than good. Think caesar Millan, etc. The so called "Dog father" on Dogs behaving badly is absolutely dreadful. How they are allowed to be on tv is a mystery. Numpty dog owners see a little bit and try to apply it to their own dogs. Far far better to go to a good qualified trainer. Sadly that in its self is a minefield. Too many people who think they know what they are doing and charging people to do untold damage to dogs.

 

[some show]

The Dog Academy is specifically all positive-based training, though. No aversives, 'alpha' talk or any of that for a change.

 

[Sandstone1]

The Dog Academy is specifically all positive-based training, though. No aversives, 'alpha' talk or any of that for a change.

Good, as I said I have not seen it as Tv dog trainers are mostly awful. Dogs behaving badly should not be on Tv that trainer is abysmal.

 

[stormox]

Good, as I said I have not seen it as Tv dog trainers are mostly awful. Dogs behaving badly should not be on Tv that trainer is abysmal.

He seems to be able to help people but I haven't seen many of his programmes. I can't see the results being as instant as they show on TV though.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Personally I like Graeme Hall and he does get some good results. He seems very good at analysing why the dog is behaving the way it is and helping people to put it right. All positive based training and the programme does show how the owners are getting on a few weeks/months down the line.

 

[Sandstone1]

Personally I like Graeme Hall and he does get some good results. He seems very good at analysing why the dog is behaving the way it is and helping people to put it right. All positive based training and the programme does show how the owners are getting on a few weeks/months down the line.

Im sorry but I strongly disagree. He has no understanding of dogs and some of what I have seen him do is down right cruel. The old lab bitch springs to mind. She was being " A Diva" for not wanting to walk on slippy floors apparently. No she was arthritic and overweight and scared of slipping. Cant stand the man.

 

[Mynstrel]

Im sorry but I strongly disagree. He has no understanding of dogs and some of what I have seen him do is down right cruel. The old lab bitch springs to mind. She was being " A Diva" for not wanting to walk on slippy floors apparently. No she was arthritic and overweight and scared of slipping. Cant stand the man.

He is a bit of an idiot, but it is interesting to see how his methods have quietly changed through the years - the early series Graeme would never have used food rewards. He talks the same talk but the methods are evolving.

On the fence about the dog academy, not sure a strange environment is the best way of "fixing" dogs but they do seem quite good at reading people and helping them see how they've got where they are. That said I've been helping a lady who's had sessions with someone who's worked for one of the trainers and I'm far from impressed with how she's been knocked down when her dog is progressing well, apparently it's either perfection or just give up.

 

[Jenko109]

I struggle to get on board with any of them tbh.

I just dont like how they are under pressure to have results in a short amount of time, or the dogs are in training for hours at a time.

They dont seem to focus on exercise either. Many of the dogs with problems would likely be much improved if they were getting ample exercise but it doesnt often seem to be a consideration.

I like Victoria but dont think we get to see the best of her in this programme.