S6E14 Underlying Tension

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