Twelve Dogs and Their Owners Compete
In a Dog-Gone Reality Show
CBS 8/7c 7/11/08
In a Dog-Gone Reality Show
CBS 8/7c 7/11/08
Do dogs really deserve to be pulled into the quagmire of Reality TV shows? This group of trick performing canines does. Finally another show that small children can watch and parents don't have to be a watch dog (Home Makeover being the other show). I'm not even sure of the Grand Prize on Greatest American Dog, does it matter? There will probably be more tears for the losers who get eliminated on this show than there are for American Idol.
The 12 contestants living in the dog house (one punishment is actually living in a large dog house outside) are:
Tillman (Bulldog) and Ron, Leroy (Border Collie) and Teresa, Galaxy (Border Collie Mix) and J.D., Preston (Pom) and Laura, Presley (Boxer) and Travis, Beacon (Schnauzer) and Brandi, Kenji (Giant Schnauzer) and Elan, Star (Brittany Spaniel) and Bill, Ezzie (Boston Terrier) and Michael, Andrew (Maltese) and Laurie, Bella Star (Shih Tsu mix) and Beth Joy, Elvis (Parson Russell Terrier) and David.
I love the names, I love the dogs, I even like a few of the owners. This should be a good show for teaching 'regular' people how to correctly train a dog. There is no way I could be on the show, even though I am a dog owner, you would have to remove the people from the house to get me in there. That is the problem with 'dog-people', we usually don't care for humans as much as canines. It might make for good tension TV, but I wouldn't want to stress my pet out over me not liking our roommate.
All of the dogs had to pass tests to get on the show, I don't think the rules for owners was nearly as stringent. Most of the dog owners seem fine, others are... well, different.
Getting to the first show, last night. It was obvious from the start that Galaxy is the most talented dog as far as command following. This dog looks like it came straight out of field training for the show. It will be amazing if any of the others can truly keep up as the show goes on.
The first meeting of the group gave Presley (the youngest dog of the group at 16 months) followed another dog right into the swimming pool. Presley's first swim was precarious and made me fear that this might not be a good idea. He did okay, and his owner Travis handled the situation very well (fishing the dog out saying, "You had to learn to swim sometime!")
The most adorable of the group is Preston the Pomeranian. Yeah, I used to have a Pom (that I kept in a lion clip), but mine would never mind the way Preston does.
The first competition was a Reward Challenge based on the game Musical Chairs. The owners had to lead the dogs around a group of stands, when the music stopped the dog had to pick a stand and SIT on it to move on. One less stand per round. It was funny as some of the small dogs jumped up under the larger breeds and sat under them, stealing their spot. Galaxy and J.D. were the winners, and got to sleep in the Master (get it?) bedroom, they also had to choose one dog/owner to sleep outside in the doghouse (which is as big as my home).
J.D. sent David and Elvis to the dog house for the night, yes Elvis had left the building (I tried to stop myself, but it had to be said!)
The final challenge was judged by professional dog trainers and judges. The problem with this is that they have no tact with the human couterparts. That will have to change soon if CBS wants to hang on to a young viewership. More than once they told overbearing owners that they did not see any connection between the dog and the person. Them's fighting words! I'm telling you CBS, you do not insult a doting dog owner this way (without finding flaming dog poop on your step!) So lets stop with the personal bashing and stick with the dog tricks, this is not the AKC show in Madison Square Garden, for crying out loud. We know professional dog trainers can tell what dogs are thinking (or at least they think they can), but the judges need to remember that none of these people are professional dog trainers. Bottom line, judges don't tell me that I don't have a good relationship with my dog!
The Elimination Challenge was a team competition, but each owner and dog was judged individually. After the above mentioned sternness with some of the contestants, the judges chose to eliminate Ezzie and Michael. Michael had problems controlling Ezzie from the start (though it was hilarious when Ezzie stole Tillman's skateboard. The look on the big Bulldog's face as the Boston Terrier attacked his ride was priceless.)
Whether the show is a ratings hit or not is still to be seen, I will continue to watch for the entertainment value. Hopefully, I can pick up some dog training tips as well!
For more dog training tips go to DogsRuleIowa!
For more on Americas Greatest Dog click here!
The 12 contestants living in the dog house (one punishment is actually living in a large dog house outside) are:
Tillman (Bulldog) and Ron, Leroy (Border Collie) and Teresa, Galaxy (Border Collie Mix) and J.D., Preston (Pom) and Laura, Presley (Boxer) and Travis, Beacon (Schnauzer) and Brandi, Kenji (Giant Schnauzer) and Elan, Star (Brittany Spaniel) and Bill, Ezzie (Boston Terrier) and Michael, Andrew (Maltese) and Laurie, Bella Star (Shih Tsu mix) and Beth Joy, Elvis (Parson Russell Terrier) and David.
I love the names, I love the dogs, I even like a few of the owners. This should be a good show for teaching 'regular' people how to correctly train a dog. There is no way I could be on the show, even though I am a dog owner, you would have to remove the people from the house to get me in there. That is the problem with 'dog-people', we usually don't care for humans as much as canines. It might make for good tension TV, but I wouldn't want to stress my pet out over me not liking our roommate.
All of the dogs had to pass tests to get on the show, I don't think the rules for owners was nearly as stringent. Most of the dog owners seem fine, others are... well, different.
Getting to the first show, last night. It was obvious from the start that Galaxy is the most talented dog as far as command following. This dog looks like it came straight out of field training for the show. It will be amazing if any of the others can truly keep up as the show goes on.
The first meeting of the group gave Presley (the youngest dog of the group at 16 months) followed another dog right into the swimming pool. Presley's first swim was precarious and made me fear that this might not be a good idea. He did okay, and his owner Travis handled the situation very well (fishing the dog out saying, "You had to learn to swim sometime!")
The most adorable of the group is Preston the Pomeranian. Yeah, I used to have a Pom (that I kept in a lion clip), but mine would never mind the way Preston does.
The first competition was a Reward Challenge based on the game Musical Chairs. The owners had to lead the dogs around a group of stands, when the music stopped the dog had to pick a stand and SIT on it to move on. One less stand per round. It was funny as some of the small dogs jumped up under the larger breeds and sat under them, stealing their spot. Galaxy and J.D. were the winners, and got to sleep in the Master (get it?) bedroom, they also had to choose one dog/owner to sleep outside in the doghouse (which is as big as my home).
J.D. sent David and Elvis to the dog house for the night, yes Elvis had left the building (I tried to stop myself, but it had to be said!)
The final challenge was judged by professional dog trainers and judges. The problem with this is that they have no tact with the human couterparts. That will have to change soon if CBS wants to hang on to a young viewership. More than once they told overbearing owners that they did not see any connection between the dog and the person. Them's fighting words! I'm telling you CBS, you do not insult a doting dog owner this way (without finding flaming dog poop on your step!) So lets stop with the personal bashing and stick with the dog tricks, this is not the AKC show in Madison Square Garden, for crying out loud. We know professional dog trainers can tell what dogs are thinking (or at least they think they can), but the judges need to remember that none of these people are professional dog trainers. Bottom line, judges don't tell me that I don't have a good relationship with my dog!
The Elimination Challenge was a team competition, but each owner and dog was judged individually. After the above mentioned sternness with some of the contestants, the judges chose to eliminate Ezzie and Michael. Michael had problems controlling Ezzie from the start (though it was hilarious when Ezzie stole Tillman's skateboard. The look on the big Bulldog's face as the Boston Terrier attacked his ride was priceless.)
Whether the show is a ratings hit or not is still to be seen, I will continue to watch for the entertainment value. Hopefully, I can pick up some dog training tips as well!
For more dog training tips go to DogsRuleIowa!
For more on Americas Greatest Dog click here!
Wow!! Performing live with your pet. It's having lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteYes, it looks like a lot of fun. I don't agree with some of the judges' snootiness, but maybe that's just the way the are used to talking to people. Greatest American Dog is a fun show to watch!
ReplyDelete