Gundogs and Guard dogs

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 What if the idea of the “annual vaccination” isn’t just outdated, but flat-out wrong?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/
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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

A few days into Crufts, what started as a fabulous celebration of dogs quickly revealed something more complicated, an underlying tension within the dog training world that’s becoming harder to ignore.
In this episode, we unpack the growing divide between so-called “balanced” training and “force-free” approaches.
Where did these labels come from, and what do they actually mean? When does training become ethical, and when does it cross into something else entirely?
The nuance matters, and so do the words we use.
We explore how dogs learn, what “consent” really looks like in training, and why the conversation often drifts away from science and into ideology.
From head collars and harnesses to prongs and slip leads, the dog training industry is full of tools, but also full of noise.
As legislation tightens, the law increasingly shapes what’s considered acceptable, regardless of real-world outcomes.
There’s also a crucial distinction at play, the difference between training for competitive dog sports and training for life. If your dog misses a trick in the ring, it’s no big deal. But if they can’t recall away from danger, that’s where training truly matters.
We also take a closer look at the contradictions on display, even at prestigious events like The Kennel Club flagship show, raising questions about tradition, equipment, and evolving standards.
Ultimately, this episode asks a simple question, are we sometimes being unkind in the name of kindness?
From the meaning of “no” and “stop,” to the difference between being qualified and truly knowledgeable, this is a grounded, honest conversation about what it really means to love and train our dogs well.

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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

Dropping on Day 2 of Crufts by the The Royal Kennel Club, this episode dives into the world of show dogs, dog shows, and what it really means to be “Royal.”
Spoiler: we don’t have all the answers… and the future may be just as messy.

We chat about:
The ins and outs of showing dogs at Crufts with insights from people who’ve done it.
Breed-specific temperament “improvements”—are we actually improving, or just redefining roles? (Think ratting dogs, herding dogs, gundogs, livestock guardians, and companions.)
Puppy prices vs. dog rescue—what’s really worth it?
A lightning review of Crufts winners over the past 5 years.
The difference between training dogs and showing dogs.
And yes… a random shoutout to Clarges Street Cat that may make you laugh (or leave the room).
Plus, a sneak peek at upcoming episodes featuring expert guests. Trust us, you won’t want to miss what’s next!
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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

An engaging and wide-ranging conversation with this episode’s guest, Colin Tennant MA — Chairman of the Canine & Feline Behaviour Association.

Colin reflects on a remarkable career spanning more than 50 years, from his early days working in kennels to serving as a police dog handler, including time in Saudi Arabia, and later pioneering work in London’s West End.

A move into dog behaviour saw him develop innovative methods and strategies to rehabilitate challenging dogs, helping to shape modern approaches to canine training and welfare.

The conversation culminates in Colin’s candid perspective on how the dog world has evolved — past, present, and where he fears it may be heading in the future.

Insightful, thought-provoking, and packed with experience, this is an episode not to be missed.
https://colintennant.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. 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 usual nonsense returns, with hot, diluting juice dominating the intro, yet again, some things just don’t survive the M25 language barrier.
Emrys’s first shoot is covered, explaining what a “shoot” really involves when working with Gundogs, it’s all about the dog, not the dead birds, and listeners can probably guess which of the hosts is the city dweller, some might find this chat unpalatable, others refreshing.
The conversation then turns to tomatoes and maypole dancing, with a touch of cordial and even a musical moan, things get even more repulsive along the way.
Probably the most boring episode yet provides an education in fact after fact, many things listeners didn’t know they didn’t want to know.
The hosts give a quick overview of the upcoming Guild of Dog Trainers & CIDBT Networking Day, encouraging listeners to get involved and meet some of the GaGD crew.
Crufts and new CIDBT hoodies are also discussed, along with a short rant on WSAVA vaccine guidelines, with promises of future episodes diving deeper.
It’s a messy, funny, slightly repulsive start to what’s shaping up to be a very promising year for the hosts and their listeners.