Dog trainer Brad Griggs teaching dogs in French and German

EVER wonder why your dog doesn’t respond to commands? Maybe you’re speaking the wrong language.

TRAINING dogs in foreign languages is just one of the many services Brad Griggs offers.

The dog trainer and behavioural specialist said using commands in German when training was popular with many dog owners.

“It’s particularly big among those with German breeds such as rottweilers and german shepherds,” Mr Griggs said.

“The actual word is insignificant, it’s just a cue.

“I’ve taught commands in German and also Serbian, French, Italian and Greek.

“As Australia becomes more multicultural, it is becoming more common.”

Mr Griggs was 14 years old when he saw a friend’s working dog in action on a farm.

“I wanted one straight away but my parents said ‘no’, so that pretty much guaranteed for the rest of my life I wanted a working dog,” he said.

The Wonga Park dog enthusiast trained and qualified through an industry body.

“I trained every dog I could get my hands on.”

He was so keen to make it in the industry that Mr Griggs would drive an hour out of his way just to conduct a training session.

Mr Griggs has trained more than 400 dogs and become a passionate campaigner about dog bite prevention.

He also started his business Canine Services International.

He said training was an ongoing activity for owners and dogs to enjoy.

“People take their dog to puppy school for three weeks and assume it’s trained,” he said. “That’s not the case.

“It’s like Prep for kids, what’s most important at that stage is the socialising.”

Mr Griggs said he was passionate about his role in educating both dogs and their owners.

“I love that I get to help dogs and people connect,” he said. “But the best part is I get to hang out with my dogs every day.”