holly willoughby

Holly Willoughby admits to having major issue with pet puppy

The This Morning star opened up about her problem

TV and film writer
January 11, 2022

Holly Willoughby loves to share snippets of her personal life every now and then, and today is no different as the This Morning star admitted that she's been struggling with her Golden Retriever puppy, Bailey, who is refusing to go out on walks. 

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Speaking to dog behavioural expert Graeme Hall on Tuesday's episode of the ITV programme, Holly revealed that while her new pup, who joined the family in November of last year, is "lovely in every single way," she is "very lazy"

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Having asked Graeme some questions from the show's viewers, Holly took the opportunity to ask for advice regarding her own pet. She said: "I've got a quick question for you. My Bailey, who is lovely in every single way, however, she's very lazy and I find her really difficult to walk."

Phillip jokingly added: "You take her out for a drag, don't you?" 

Holly continued to explain her puppy problem: "I do, she just sits there and will not move. She'll lie down and I end up carrying her, which I know is really bad. The only way I can get her to exercise is if I take her to the dog park, let her off the lead and then she runs around like a lunatic with other dogs."

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Graeme, who is also known as 'The Dogfather', was quick to give his expert advice. After telling Holly not to "over-exercise" her new dog as puppies' "joints are a bit susceptible when they're growing," he said that encouragement would help her problem. "I think encouragement is the way to go," he advised. "You want to be really praising those great moments so when she does walk, that's when you can use a bit of excitement." 

© Photo: Instagram

Holly and her puppy Bailey

He continued: "If you're really struggling Holly, pop her in the car, take her a street or two away from home and you'll usually find when you're walking them back to the house, they'll walk because that's where safety and food and all the good things are. That then gives you something that you can praise."

Graeme appeared on the show to promote the new series of Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly, which airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 5, as well as his first UK tour which will give dog owners across the country an opportunity to seek advice from the expert.

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