If you’ve ever found yourself glued to Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, watching Graeme Hall work his magic with mischievous pets, you’ll be quite familiar the man known as ‘The Dogfather.’
With his signature waistcoat (and cravat) and straight-talking, no-fuss approach to the behavioural problems of canines, Graeme has become one of the UK’s best-known dog trainers. He's also one of Country Living's regular columnists, where you'll find him talking about everything from naughtiest dog breeds to the controversial debate around whether dogs should go on the sofa or not.
Graeme has also just been announced to appear on the the 2026 season of Strictly Come Dancing, with brand new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
But who exactly is The Dogfather? Here’s everything you need to know.
Who is Graeme Hall?
Graeme Hall is a dog trainer, TV presenter and author best known for his compassionate approach to dealing with canine rule-breakers (and helping their exasperated owners!) on Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly.
Originally from Selby in Yorkshire, Graeme didn’t always work with dogs – in fact, he spent over 20 years in business before swapping boardrooms for (a lot of) barking dogs.
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His dog training journey began in his early 40s when he got two Rottweiler puppies and quickly realised it wasn't so easy. Determined to learn everything he could, Graeme trained with some of the best experts in the field and eventually became a Master Dog Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers.
Since then, he’s worked with thousands of dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments.
How many dogs does Graeme Hall have?
Despite working with dogs every day, Graeme didn’t have dogs growing up. “We didn’t have dogs as kids because my mum and dad were both working people. My sister and I were constantly badgering them for a dog, and the answer was always, ’it wouldn’t be fair because we’re not home most of the time,’” he previously explained, and only got some of his own later in life.
Since changing careers, he has had several dogs, including Lily; a black Labrador/ Boxer cross, Johnny; a 14-year-old dog, and Tish; a blind Patterdale Terrier who passed away last in 2024 at the age of 17 – but he doesn't own a dog at this moment in time.
Having worked with over 5,000 dogs so far, it’s perhaps not a huge surprise that he opted to have a smaller dog family over the years.
Where does Graeme Hall live?
Graeme is based in Warwickshire, though his work takes him all over the UK. Whether filming for his TV show, working one-on-one with dog owners, or hosting training workshops, he’s always on the move, giving the public top tips on becoming expert dog whisperers.
Has Graeme Hall written a book?
Graeme has written a few books packed full of expert training advice. His first book, All Dogs Great and Small, published in 2021, gives a behind-the-scenes look at his life as a trainer, complete with plenty of funny and touching tales. He followed it up with Perfectly Imperfect Puppy, a must-read for anyone raising a young dog.
His latest book, Does My Dog Love Me? explores how dogs think, feel, and bond with their humans — perfect if you’ve ever wondered what’s happening inside your furry friend’s head. He also has a podcast aptly named Talking Dogs.
