A celebrity dog trainer has revealed the ‘nightmare’ breeds he ‘rarely recommends’ to pet lovers after 25 years working as a canine behaviourist. 

Nigel Reed, from Cornwall, has worked with thousands of dogs and their owners around the world, including celebrity magician Derren Brown.

Ahead of his debut tonight on a new TV show called Wagging Rights, which will see him coach five celebrity comedians as they train their pooches, Nigel told the Daily Mail that ‘a common mistake’ people make is choosing a breed based on its appearance. 

Known as ‘The Dog Guardian,’ Nigel said breeds like the Belgian Malinois and the Dutch Shepherd are popular, but he is wary about recommending them to the average owner since they can be ‘demanding’. 

‘In the right hands, both breeds can be absolutely brilliant,’ he explained. ‘In the wrong home, however, they can become a nightmare.

He cautioned against ‘falling in love with the appearance of a breed without really understanding the work involved to look after them’. 

Both the breeds he warns against are ‘striking, athletic, frighteningly intelligent and capable of extraordinary work’ – the same qualities that also make them ‘intense, driven and quick to react’. 

‘A lot of people see a Malinois or Dutch Shepherd online, watch one carrying out impressive obedience or protection work and think, “I want one of those,”‘ Nigel said. ‘What they do not always see is everything that goes on behind the scenes.’ 

Ahead of his debut tonight on a new show called Wagging Rights, Nigel told the Daily Mail that the ‘biggest mistake’ people make is choosing a breed based on its appearance

Nigel explained that these breeds need ‘far more than a couple of walks around the block’, adding: ‘They are best suited to an owner who understands dogs at a high level and can give them structure, mental stimulation, clear guidance and an appropriate outlet for their natural drive.

‘For the right person, they can be exceptional,’ the canine behaviourist, who has a Dutch Shepherd, added. ‘For the wrong person, they can become overwhelming very quickly.’

‘One of my own dogs is a Dutch Shepherd, so I know first-hand how switched on they can be. With me, she is extremely reliable, apart from the occasional cat catching her attention, but I still have to be very careful about who I leave her with.

‘She is incredibly quick to spot where somebody is less consistent than I am. If a dog sitter becomes lax about a boundary or lets something slide, she will notice it almost immediately and, more often than not, push it.’

Nigel, who is one of the expert judges on UKTV’s Wagging Rights, advised pet owners to seriously consider whether they can provide the kind of life their preferred breed needs for ‘the next 10 to 15 years’. 

‘That matters far more than whether you like the look of them.’ 

Regardless of breed, incessant barking is one of the most common problems Nigel is asked about, but he explained it is usually a ‘symptom of something else’. 

‘If your dog is barking at somebody walking past the house, another dog, a visitor, traffic or a sound outside, the important question is not simply: “How do I stop the barking?”’ he said. 

Nigel, who is known as ‘The Dog Guardian’, alongside fellow behaviourist Kay Attwood on UKTV’s new show Wagging Rights 

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Instead, try to evaluate whether he or she is scared, anxious or frustrated while asking yourself, ‘Why does my dog feel the need to bark?’ 

Simply shouting at them to stop might interrupt the barking for a few seconds, but it does not necessarily change what is causing it, Nigel explained. 

As an expert behaviourist, the Cornish trainer said barking usually comes down to a ‘dog’s confidence in three main areas’ – including trust in their owner and immediate surroundings.  

‘First, are they confident in you?’ Nigel explained. ‘Do they believe you will deal with situations, or do they feel they need to take control themselves?

‘Second, are they confident in their environment? If a dog is worried by other dogs, strangers, noises, visitors or traffic, barking can become their way of trying to deal with that uncertainty.

‘Third, do they understand what you actually want them to do?’ he continued. 

Nigel shared that while owners often spend a lot of time saying ‘no,’ ‘stop’ or ‘quiet’, they rarely ‘show’ the dog what to do instead. 

For example, if your dog starts barking at something outside the window, rather than simply shouting at them to stop, show them that you are aware of the situation and will deal with it.

‘Reassure them with something simple such as, “It’s OK” or “I’ve got it,”‘ he advised. 

‘If they still look worried, calmly go and investigate. Keep your demeanour relaxed. You are showing your dog that you have heard their alert, checked the situation and decided there is nothing to be concerned about.

‘If they continue barking despite your reassurance, calmly guide them away from the situation, using a lead if necessary, and repeat the process consistently.’

Nigel said the aim is for the dog to eventually learn that they can alert you and then stop because dealing with what happens next is your responsibility.

‘That is very different from simply trying to suppress the barking,’ he said. ‘The dog feels heard and understood, while also learning where their responsibility ends.’

Viewers of UKTV’s Wagging Rights will follow six celebrities, including Vicky Pattinson, Rhod Gilbert, Sara Pascoe, Harriet Kemsley and Kae Kurd, as they try and teach their pets new tricks every week – from ball sports to scent work. 

The person with the most points on the leaderboard will take home the Top Dog rosette every week. 

Wagging Rights premieres today at 8pm on U&Dave 

Conor Benn has been medically suspended after suffering a second-round TKO loss to Ryan Garcia in their WBC welterweight title fight in Las Vegas on Saturday night

British boxer Conor Benn has been handed a medical suspension following his painful defeat to Ryan Garcia on Saturday night. The 29-year-old was taken to hospital after being beaten by Garcia in their WBC welterweight title bout in Las Vegas.

Benn suffered a second-round stoppage after the referee halted the contest within six minutes. He initially clambered to his feet after being floored by a thunderous right hand early in the round at the T-Mobile Arena.

However, the American pressed home his advantage, unleashing a flurry of punches that trapped Benn on the ropes until the referee stepped in.

Following his hospitalisation, Benn now faces a spell on the sidelines. The British Board of Boxing Control (BBBofC) automatically imposes a minimum suspension of 28 days for any boxer who suffers a TKO defeat, with the possibility of this being extended to 45 days. The suspension covers both sparring and competitive bouts.

Benn was facing a significant step up in class against an opponent renowned for his hand speed, which was evident from the opening exchanges as Garcia landed a left hook.

The English fighter was caught by another left in the first round, though he responded with a body shot of his own.

Despite his efforts, he was unable to cope with Garcia in the second round, suffering just his second defeat in 27 contests.

Benn later took to social media to say: “Not my night, no excuses. Ryan Garcia, you’re a great champion.”

Following his successful title defence, Garcia declared: “I’ve always had a right hand but it’s always been injured.

“I was so prepared and so focused, and what a performance.

“I knew he was going to put me under pressure in the first round so I let him have his way a little bit.

“Then in the next round I stood my ground a little bit. He was coming in reckless and you can’t do that with me; he would have been better running around for the first three rounds.

“I’ve got thunder in both hands and they’re ready to go. I’m here, I’m the champion and I’m not going to f*** around.”

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“If I was Andy Burnham, I don’t see why you wouldn’t rejoin the customs union. It’s a pretty straightforward decision because unlike (rejoining) the single market, it does not require you to accept the free movement of people – which is a pretty complicated issue to sell to people in Britain at the moment.”

Councillors across Bolton are now calling for a special scrutiny meeting to examine the problems behind repeated missed bin collections.

The calls come after weeks of disruption, with the council previously blaming operational issues and higher than usual staff sickness.

Cllr Nadim Muslim, Bolton Conservatives leader, said: “I am supporting calls from members of the place scrutiny and councillors that there should be a meeting of place scrutiny about the appalling state of bin collections.

(Image: Phil Taylor)

“Councillors need to be aware of the issues affecting collections.

“Our inboxes are inundated with emails about missed bins. It is unacceptable, and we need to see change sooner rather than later.”

The council has cancelled some burgundy bin collections as it tries to catch up with missed food waste and non-recyclable collections.

Previous council records showed scores of streets appeared to have missed collections last month.

(Image: Public)

David Grant of Leader of Horwich & Blackrod First Independents, said: “Ultimately, the state of play within the relation to bins is inexcusable.

“We are at the cold face, so to speak, with residents not being given answers; we have only been told it was staffing issues, but before it was operational issues.

“We have been given no indication to why we have got ourselves into this situation, what emergency plan is in place, the issues with the bins are still happening, some have gone weeks.

“Our job is to find out why the service is failing badly; we represent the public, and they have a right to know.”

The Bolton News previously reported that 20 bin wagon drivers had been signed off sick, including 10 on long-term sick leave and 10 on general sick leave.

Bolton Council has apologised for missed collections and said extra crews and extended working hours have been used to recover affected streets.

Hopes of a fresh start are swiftly dashed in EastEnders next week as Mo Harris (Laila Morse), Lily Slater (Lillia Turner) and Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) arrive at the Vic to move in – only to be met with tragedy.

The Slater clan are all set to move out of No. 31 after Suki Panesar-Unwin (Balvinder Sopal) followed through on her threat to have them evicted over failure to pay rent.

The property in question has been home to the Slaters for many years and housed some of their finest memories, including happier times with Martin Fowler (James Bye), who tragically died almost two years ago.

Leaving their family home behind proves tough for the clan, with Lily in particular taking it to heart. Big Mo is on hand to try and cheer her up, boosting her mood as she contemplates a new chapter for them over at the Vic.

With Jean by their side, they head over to the Vic to join Kat (Jessie Wallace) and Alfie (Shane Richie).

But little do they know what awaits them when they get there.

Zoe (Michelle Ryan) tragically died in the small hours of the morning, having sustained a head injury after falling on some rubble.

Kat encouraged her daughter to get it checked out and Zoe promised that she would the following day if it hadn’t eased up by then. But sadly tragedy struck soon after, with Zoe dying on her own, calling out for mum Kat who did not hear her.

In devastating scenes, Kat found Zoe’s body in bed. Unable to share her discovery, she keeps it to herself but Alfie soon learns the truth.

Jean, Mo and Lily arrive at the Vic and subsequently learn what’s happened – they learn that Zoe has died. They’re stunned and heartbroken.

It’s an emotional day for all who reside in the pub, with Tommy Moon (Sonny Kendall) taking the news particularly difficult given that he and Zoe had grown close in the past year.

Word of Zoe’s death filters out into the Square and those who saw her last – namely Max Branning (Jake Wood) – are left in shock.

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 

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Jade Jones made it three wins from three this year when she beat Sheena Bathory in Newcastle

Welsh boxer Jade Jones immediately called out her next opponent after beating Sheena Bathory last night to claim her third win of the year.

The Olympic champion stopped ‘The Hungarian Hurricane’ after four rounds on the Misfits card in Newcastle.

That makes it the third win of the year for the former taekwondo legend, who appeared on the undercard of the Big Stacks v Jordan McCann fight in the north east.

Bathory was bloodied at the end of the fourth round of what was scheduled to be a five-round contest. The bout was far from pretty but Jones dominated from start to finish.

Victory means Jones is now the MFB women’s super middleweight champion.

“I didn’t really do my plan, I was supposed to box, so I don’t think Swifty is really that happy with me,” she said to DAZN after the fight.

“But I think I have shown toughness, I’ve shown I can take a few shots, I wanted to test the chin, what better girl to test it with than Sheena.

“To be honest I’m not really that happy about it,” she added of her own performance. “I didn’t think I stuck to my plan, but I’ve shown I’m from Flint, I’m a fighter, I want to get rough and ready, we’re the one, don’t mess about with the Flint people!”

On what’s next, she said: “Keep improving, now I’ve got the belts, I hold all the cards, people are going to have to come fight for me.”

Cris Cyborg was also mentioned as a possible next opponent for the north Walian.

“I’ve got the belt, so I hold all the cards,” Jones said.

“Now people have got to come and fight me to fight for this belt. Mams [Taylor] keeps talking about Cyborg.

“Obviously, she’s a very top competitor, so who knows? Maybe I need a couple more first, but she’s definitely in my sights.”

The former Top Gear presenter is in remission after revealing on the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm that he had been diagnosed with “aggressive” prostate cancer.

The 66-year-old chose to have high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a minimally invasive medical procedure that uses high-frequency soundwaves to heat and destroy targeted cancer cells.

His partner of nine years, Lisa Hogan, says he was initially reluctant to share his diagnosis with the public.

She told the Daily Star Sunday: “I’m really happy he caught his prostate cancer early and I’m really proud of him for putting it on the show, because that was a really big decision.

“When I was filming him in hospital at first, he said, ‘Please don’t’.

“It was (producer) Andy Wilman who convinced him to do it, to help everybody else. When the show came out, Prostate Cancer UK had 30,000 people going on to their website in one day.”

Hogan says Clarkson has also benefitted from opening up to those around him.

“Yes, of course it was a terrible worry,” she added. “But what I did encourage him to do was to talk to his friends.

“He didn’t want to initially, but he’s got lots of friends who’ve been through the same thing and he’s been talking to them about it. I think that’s really helped.”

Clarkson revealed in June that he is in remission.

The Wellington Inn in Alma Terrace, Fishergate, has been open a month now.

Landlady Isabel Redfern-Smith says things have been “going really well”.

The Press called by on Friday lunchtime, a month to the day the historic ‘wet-led’ pub re-opened and found a few drinkers inside enjoying the fine day.

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Isabel said of the first month: “We have been busy. Everybody is positive. We have had really good feedback from all the old faces and the new faces.”

Isabel, who runs the pub with husband Henry, says the best seller has been the Old Brewery Bitter “which has been going down a treat.”

“Everybody is loving it,” she continued.

Prior to coming to York from Featherstone, the couple had been running their family-owned pub in Pontefract. Henry also had a small brewery.

Isabel Redfern-Smith and Henry Smith behind the bar, as taken from outside the pub through the front window, so as not to breach brewery policy on digital devices. (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Isabel continued: “Customers know how Henry keeps the beer. The stout is also going down a treat.”

The Wellington Inn, which is affectionately known as ‘the Welly,’ has been receiving rave reviews online since the young couple took over.

The latest TripAdvisor review was from “a regular who will continue to be a regular,” who awarded five stars out of five.

The review continued: “I am a regular at the Wellie and the hand pulled bitter has never been better, a big thanks to our new friendly hosts Henry and Isobel.”

The latest review on Google gave four stars and said: “Great Samuel Smith’s pub. Had a revamp since I’d last been, but it has kept its character. Excellent beer at a great price.”

Another recent comment gave five stars and said: “A fabulous authentic original Sam Smith’s pub with an abundance of character. Fantastic well-kept beer. Your Host and hostess are a truly warm wonderful, friendly young couple whom make everyone feel welcome.”

Isabel Redfern-Smith and Henry Smith behind the bar, as taken from outside the pub through the front window, so as not to breach brewery policy on digital devices. (Image: Darren Greenwood)

The re-opening of ‘The Welly’ comes as Sam Smith’s brewery has stepped up its efforts to re-open its pubs across the country.

As recently reported, Tom Taverner of Malton, who keeps a list of which of the Tadcaster-based brewery’s pubs are open or closed, recorded 18 re-openings nationally since the start of June.

The Sam Smith’s pubs that have reopened since the start of June, he says, include the Golden Ball, Scarborough; Angel & White Horse, Tadcaster; Ebor Inn, Bishopthorpe; Wellington Inn, York; Tankard Inn, Rufforth; and the Red Lion at Bramham, near Wetherby.

Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest Premier League odds, Petit said: “Mikel Arteta has been rebuilding Arsenal step by step and I really liked the way they worked on the transfer market this summer, bringing some players in and trying to make the squad as competitive as possible. It was like watching them create a painting.

For years, Roger Hardy kept trying to explain away the agonising pain in his nose.

As a sculptor, the 56-year-old was used to working amid clouds of sawdust, metal shavings and white spirit, so when his nose began throbbing, it seemed logical to blame the fumes and dust in his Suffolk studio.

But gradually the burning sensation spread across his face. His nose became red and inflamed, mucus left him struggling to breathe and the pain became so severe at night that he could barely sleep.

‘It started taking over my life,’ recalls Roger. ‘The constant throbbing pain – which was accompanied by mucus – was really exhausting. It was so sore at night that I had to breathe through my mouth.’

Eventually, his GP diagnosed sinusitis – inflammation of the air-filled spaces behind the forehead, cheeks and nose – and prescribed antibiotics, followed by steroid nasal sprays.

The treatment helped, but each time Roger stopped using the spray, the pain returned.

Yet today, after years of recurring symptoms, Roger says he is virtually symptom-free – thanks not to another drug, but to one surprisingly simple change to his diet: He gave up dairy.

Within four or five days of making that one small tweak, he says, the burning pain and congestion that had plagued him for years had almost completely disappeared.

‘I couldn’t quite believe it,’ he says. ‘After years of pain, my symptoms had virtually gone.’

The idea that dairy can worsen congestion and other respiratory symptoms is hardly new. For generations, milk has been blamed for producing ‘excess mucus’ – a claim largely dismissed by doctors as a myth because studies found that drinking milk does not actually increase nasal secretions.

But scientists are now investigating a subtly different possibility: that in a small group of people, an allergy or sensitivity to foods including cow’s milk can contribute to the inflammation underlying chronic sinus problems.

And emerging research suggests diet more generally may have a greater influence on the condition than previously thought.

The turnaround for Roger came four years after his problems started, when his wife suggested he consult a private nutritionist.

Initially, he was sceptical. ‘I’ve never smoked, I don’t drink alcohol, I’m fairly fit and I eat a well-balanced diet. I couldn’t see what a nutritionist could do for me,’ he says.

But during the consultation, the possibility was raised that something in his diet could be contributing to his symptoms – with dairy identified as a potential trigger.

At the time, dairy featured heavily in Roger’s diet, from yoghurt at breakfast and after dinner, to butter and cheese at lunch. He decided to cut it out completely – and within days, he says, his symptoms had virtually disappeared.

While experts stress that dairy is unlikely to explain every case of chronic sinusitis, there is some evidence it may contribute to symptoms in some patients

While experts stress that dairy is unlikely to explain every case of chronic sinusitis, there is some evidence it may contribute to symptoms in some patients. 

A 2011 study published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy found that hidden milk allergies may play a role in some cases of chronic sinus disease. 

Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna found that one in seven patients with chronic sinusitis had an undiagnosed cow’s milk allergy – compared with none of the healthy volunteers studied.

According to Dr Carl Philpott, an ear, nose and throat surgeon and professor of rhinology at the University of East Anglia, questions about dairy are common among sinusitis sufferers. ‘A lot of people in my clinic ask me about dairy,’ he says.

‘I typically recommend what’s known as an elimination diet – whereby patients cut out dairy for a week and see if their symptoms improve.’

More recently, a 2026 review found that anti-inflammatory diets were linked with better sinus health, while diets high in fat and ultra-processed foods were associated with a greater burden of symptoms.

However, the review’s authors stressed that the evidence remains limited, adding that larger clinical trials are needed before dietary changes can be routinely recommended as a treatment.

But Dr Philpott says there is a plausible biological explanation for why diet may influence symptoms in some patients.

‘I couldn’t quite believe it,’ says Roger. ‘After years of pain, my symptoms had virtually gone’

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‘Chronic sinusitis appears to be a local immunological problem,’ he says. ‘The lining of the nose and sinuses becomes overly sensitive to environmental exposures, such as dust, pollen and infections over time – which is why most patients present with symptoms later in life, often in their early 50s.

‘So it is plausible that underlying allergies, intolerances and dietary factors could contribute to symptoms in some patients.’

For most sufferers, however, treatment will still involve more conventional measures.

Specialists often recommend regular saline nasal rinsing, which can help wash away mucus, allergens and inflammatory debris.

And while steroid nasal sprays can be used to control inflammation, patients should be wary of relying for too long on a different type – over-the-counter decongestant sprays.

This is because of the risk of ‘rebound’ congestion – i.e. they end up making symptoms worse with overuse – something that 60 per cent of pharmacists believe patients are unaware of, according to research by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

‘Like with many health conditions, early diagnosis and treatment of chronic sinusitis can make a significant difference,’ says Dr Philpott. ‘Long-term antibiotics do not seem to help the majority of patients, and if the condition is picked up late, many can end up relying on steroid nasal sprays for life.

‘Since the pandemic, we are seeing more patients presenting with quite severe disease, which can be much more difficult to manage.

He adds: ‘If you do suffer from persistent symptoms, be religious about nasal rinsing twice a day. And if you’ve done that for three months and are still struggling, ask your GP for a referral to an ENT specialist.’