I give dogs paws for thought

DOGS can develop some embarrassing habits, as trainer Graeme Hall knows only too well.

- MIKE WARDS

"I recently met one who'd start humping people whenever he heard the words 'ready, steady, go!" he tells me. "That was particularly odd" Graeme's latest series of Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, the hit Channel 5 show that returns next week, also features a pug with a foot fetish and a St Bernard called Dave who'll help himself to slices of toast, directly from the toaster.

In episode one, there's a mutt who, when out for a walk, likes to stop in the middle of the pavement and "splat" "When I first heard about that one," chuckles Graeme, "I assumed it was something to do with its digestive tract.

"But it's actually an expression its owner had invented, to describe how the dog suddenly lies down flat with all four limbs outstretched, refusing to budge." Of course, owners are as much Graeme's field of expertise as the creatures in their care.