Graeme Hall shot to fame on popular Channel 5 programme Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. Viewers soon took a shining to the down-to-earth Yorkshireman for his incredible success as a dog trainer, helping dog owners up and down the country as part of the series.
Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly sees Graeme, also known as The DogFather, visit a number of households who are in need of some help with managing their dog’s poor behaviour. He creates long-lasting fixes to help make the owners’ lives that little bit easier.
A one-off documentary titled Dogs Behaving Badly first aired in March 2017 on Channel 4. The show has since been renewed for an additional six seasons on Channel 5.
Graeme has starred as a presenter on The Dog Hospital, which is based at Willows, one of the UK’s top veterinary centres. He has since appeared on a celebrity edition of The Chase, and often appears on ITV daytime show This Morning to answer any dog-related queries.
He launched his own business www.dogfather.co.uk and goes by the motto “Any dog, any age, any problem.” Despite years of experience as a dog trainer, Graeme has also had his fair share of mishaps. He was once hospitalised when he was savaged by a client’s German Shepherd in Worcestershire in 2015.
Before he landed the role on popular programme, he worked as a management consultant for Weetabix for 21 years. He grew up in Selby, Yorkshire, before attending the University of Hull.
His desire for a major change in career stemmed from him retraining his own Rottweilers, Axel and Gordon. Speaking about the shift in his professional endeavours, Graeme said: “I had two Rottweilers and set about training them. Then someone from a dog training company said something that changed the course of my life, ‘Why don’t you become a dog trainer? ‘ I said, ‘Why?””
“He said, ‘Because you’re good with people’. That’s what hooked me, as he said it’s a combination of being good with people and good with dogs.”
Away from the spotlight, Graeme married accountant Elinor Perry-Hall in 2017. They tied the knot in a stunning ceremony in Sri Lanka, before celebrating with friends in the UK.
Rumours surrounding their split started to circulate in 2023. In an interview with The Times, Graeme revealed he was now living in Oxfordshire with a new partner.
The reason for their separation has been kept under wraps and Graeme still keeps his personal life relatively private. However, he regularly updates fans of his life away from the screen to his 160,000 followers on Instagram.
Earlier this year, the 59-year-old took to social media to announce the death of his own dog. In an emotional post on Instagram, Graeme wrote: “I have sad news to share today about beautiful Jonny. After 16 and a half years of unconditional love our gentle boy, the kindest soul, has passed away.
“Hopefully he’s frolicking around now with the rest of the gang in doggy heaven. I can’t quite believe that a little over a year ago we had three dogs in the house and in such a short time they’ve all gone (none of us outrun old age). The place seems so, so empty without them. Heartbroken…
“Give yours an extra cuddle tonight. Forgive them their trespasses (they always forgive ours). Make memories and cherish every moment, friends…”
Fans rushed to the comments to support the TV star. One fan said: “I’m so sorry to hear this. Sending you lots of love and prayers for this very difficult time x.”
A second wrote: “Sorry for your loss, so heartbreaking. We lost our boy a month ago, and it’s utterly devastating.” A third said: “Aww that’s soo sad… a huge hole our pets leave in our hearts and home when gone.”