Ben has been working with dogs for decades, honing his BG (Beggarbush) techniques to help people teach their dogs with kindness and understanding. Our own Paula Lester has long been a convert to Ben's ideas, and her black labrador Nimrod has taken huge strides since they started working together. You can read more about Ben's dog training philosophy (and Nimrod, too) in this article.
It was back in early 2022 that Ben started sharing his expertise with readers of the Country Life website. Since then he's covered topics from things many new dog owners encounter right at the start — how to teach a dog to sit, the leave command, how to stop a new puppy crying at night, for example — to things that even seasoned dog people can struggle with. Getting a dog to walk to heel, for example, can be tricky, as can getting a dog to stop barking at the doorbell, or stopping a dog going crazy when delivery people or visitors approach the house.
We're hugely grateful to the readers who have sent in their queries — and if you have one of your own, please email paws-for-thought@futurenet.com.
Below for reference and inspiration you can find some of Ben's previous columns; we look forward to hearing more from you.
For more detailed advice about Ben Randall’s positive, reward-based and proven BG training methods, one-to-one training sessions, residential training or five-star dog-boarding at his BGHQ in Herefordshire, telephone 01531 670960 or visit www.ledburylodgekennels.co.uk. For a free seven-day trial of the Gundog app, which costs £24.99 a month or £249.99 a year, visit www.gundog.app/trial
Ben also has a book, ‘How to Train Your Gundog’, out now. You can order it here at £40.
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How to help a dog who's scared of going places in the car, by expert trainer Ben Randall
A retired greyhound with an unknown past is the subject of this week's advice article from our resident dog whisperer
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How to teach a dog to sit: Five tips from leading dog trainer Ben Randall
Teaching your dog to sit is one of the most important things you can do — and it will help with
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How to stop a dog chasing cars: Six tips from top dog-trainer Ben Randall
Watching your dog run after traffic can be heart-stoppingly scary — but it's also a difficult habit to break. Ben Randall,
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How to keep a dog off the sofa, by top trainer Ben Randall
Fed up with Fido leaping onto the furniture — whether it's your sofa, armchair, or your bed — whenever he
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How to introduce a puppy to your cat, by expert dog trainer Ben Randall
Introducing a dog to a cat can be nerve-wracking, but get it right and the two of them can get
How to choose a rescue dog, by expert trainer Ben Randall
Adopting a dog in need of a new home can be a fabulous experience that will transform your life for
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How to keep your dog healthy in a summer heatwave, by expert trainer Ben Randall
With hot summer weather here it can be a challenge keeping your four-legged friend cool and happy. Ben Randall shares
Crate training a puppy: Six tips from expert dog trainer Ben Randall
Puppy crate training can be tricky, yet it can pay dividends in all sorts of ways — even making puppy toilet
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Dog recall training: Six tips from champion dog trainer Ben Randall
Training your dog is not easy — and with the huge recent rise in dog ownership, it's never been a better
How to stop your dog jumping up, by expert trainer Ben Randall
It’s easy to dismiss our dogs’ love of jumping up on us — and other people — as friendly boisterousness,
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How to stop your puppy crying at night, by dog training expert Ben Randall
The heartbreaking whimper of a puppy calling for you will tug on the heartstrings like few other things, but you
How to stop a dog getting jealous when you're playing with someone else's pet, by expert trainer Ben Randall
Dogs are loyal, faithful and delightful partners in your life — but they're no more immune to the green eyed
How to stop your dog from barking on a walk: Five tips from top dog-trainer Ben Randall
While out on a walk, it’s not always easy to stop your dog from barking at people — and if
How to stop your dog or puppy from biting when it's playing: Expert advice from Ben Randall
Playful behaviour is a great way for dogs to explore the world around them and make new friends — but
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How to deal with a dog who won't jump in the back of the car, by top trainer Ben Randall
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Dog lead training: How to introduce the lead to your four-legged friend, by champion dog trainer Ben Randall
Introducing the lead to your dog can be tricky, but with a consistent routine you'll build positive associations that will
How do I stop my dog barking at people coming up to my house? Expert advice from top trainer Ben Randall
Disconcerting for visitors, distressing for owners and terrifying for delivery people, having a dog that constantly barks at strangers is
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How to get your dog to walk to heel
Teaching your dog to stop pulling on the lead takes work, but it’s an important step in training that will
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How to teach your dog to go to the toilet on the lead: Three tips from top dog trainer Ben Randall
It can be frustrating and stressful when your dog is stubbornly refusing to do its business while on a lead,
How to train your dog to leave things on command, by expert dog trainer Ben Randall
Teaching a dog to stop stealing food, clothes, TV remotes or anything else that they like to pinch can feel
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Everything you need to know about Hampstead: The real star of 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'From Protestant Dissenters to Dame Judi Dench, Hampstead has long been synonymous with liberal values and prosperity — which is what makes it different from other parts of London. Now, it's stealing hearts the world over in the latest Bridget Jones film.
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Guess the country house price, David Stirling and the King without a moustache: Country Life Quiz of the Day 19 February 2025Have a go at Wednesday's Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
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What to do when your dog gets attacked by another dog out on a walkBen Randall deals with a reader's difficult situation as an ordinary walk took a turn for the worse.
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How to deal with an older dog starting to show some bad behaviour after many happy yearsA-list dog trainer Ben Randall helps a reader whose ageing dog has started changing its behaviour — and not for the better.
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How to look after a dog who's gone deaf, by A-list trainer Ben RandallBen Randall handles a query from a reader whose dog has lost her hearing.
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How to deal with a dog that's stronger than you are — especially when it runs off when it gets excitedBen Randall tackles an issue for an owner of a dog that's almost as big as she is.
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'My dog goes crazy when he sees someone with a ball launcher. How do I make him stop?': Expert trainer Ben Randall explains what to doTaking on a dog with ingrained bad habits can be a headache. Ben Randall explains how to retrain them to keep calm.
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Ben Randall: Q&A with the award-winning dog trainerWe speak to Country Life's canine agony uncle Ben Randall.
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How to stop your dog from being protective and barking at buildersBarking can be annoying and unsettling for visitors. Ben Randall looks at how to get a little peace and quiet.
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How to deal with a labrador who won't stop barkingLabradors tend to be placid, calm dogs, but that's not always the case. Ben Randall helps a reader whose lab is giving some trouble.
