A Leicestershire dog trainer is playing a vital part in a Channel 4 series showing how to turn challenging canines into perfect pets. The new series of Bad Dog Academy begins this week, and Shane Hartshorn, of Groby-based K9 Education Dog Training, has been working behind the scenes.

Shane and two other dog experts were chosen from 300 applicants to work on the show supporting trainers and to oversee the well-being of the dogs involved in the programme. This is the second series of the show, which was previously titled The Dog Academy, and is hosted by former BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw.

Shane, who formed K9 Education Dog Training in June 2017 after a career in IT, sales and project training, said he used a force-, fear- and pain-free approach to build positive and rewarding relationships between guardian and dog. As one of the support trainers, Shane travelled to the filming location every weekend in September and November 2023, and was responsible for looking after and training the dogs off-screen.

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Shane Hartshorn with dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, who also appears in the Bad Dog Academy
Shane Hartshorn with dog trainer Victoria Stilwell, who also appears in the Bad Dog Academy

Shane said the most memorable moment for him came when filming one of his dogs for a shot to be used in the programme. He told LeicestershireLive: "The shot was to get a dog to run from the main house, down the driveway to the camera. We did a couple of takes, and on the third take my dog Bert stole a toy from somewhere and ran down the driveway with it."

He added of his time with the show: "It was such an amazing experience. I didn't want it to end!"

According to production company Five Mile Films, "the Bad Dog Academy will help the most difficult dogs and their most desperate owners", and "a crack team of Britain’s top specialist trainers will instruct beleaguered owners in dog management skills and dog psychology".

Filming in progress for Bad Dog Academy
Filming in progress for Bad Dog Academy

The first episode of the new series of Bad Dog Academy will be on Channel 4 at 8pm on Thursday, April 3. It will also be available to stream online.

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