Who Gets the Dog?

[Guest Mutts4Me]

So I know this new AP show has been discussed before when it first debuted, but I honestly think this show is rigged.

I've only seen a couple of shows, and not only has my family of choice not been picked each time, but I think the "experts" pick the strangest things to pick on, and what to let pass.

Like the repeat I just watched, with a little dog named Diamond. Just looking at the candidates, you could tell who was going to win. There were two girl roomates, 3 roomates (2 guys and a girl), and a married couple. You know they're not going to place a dog in an unstable environment like 3 college roommates, so no matter what they do, they're SOL. So why let them compete?

The first "family" consisted of two girls. They let the dog in the backyard, and when it didn't go potty, one suggested that it might be "pee shy," and that they should look away. The judges jumped on this as an aversion to bathroom functions. WTF? Some dogs honestly don't like to be watched when they do their thing, and the girls considering this made them afraid of bodily functions? Right.

And one of the judges also got all nasty about them trying to get the dog to fetch. The dog didn't want to fetch and had very little interest in the ball. The behaviorist said how you could get a dog to want the ball by acting like YOU wanted the ball, and it just happens that's what those girls did. And at the review, the behaviorist called them "silly" in a distainful tone of voice.

So I"m not saying those two girls should've gotten the dog, because I was on the phone for the second and most of the third "families," and so didn't get to hear most of what happened, but I don't think they deserved to be trashed like that and made to look like idiots who shouldn't even be allowed to have a hamster.

Then to top it off, the guy who won was talking about how one of those girls was crying over "it" and how that made him want "it" even more, and I cannot stand it when people call their dog an "it." Gah.

I don't know, I've only seen a few episodes, but it seems every time the judges are really unfair to some people and too lenient on others...

[schippsmom]

:Dog_run:

I have only seen the show twice and I won't be watching it again. I just didn't like what I saw. Not sure of the point of the show either. Maybe I missed something. That's just my opinion.

Paula

[Guest Mutts4Me]

The point? Hmmm.... I think it's just another take on "Adoption Tales," where they re-enact the adoption of a dog or a cat... usually from a nice shelter, and usually with more than one family interested in the animal... like all animals are in nice shelters and are being fought over.

At the same time, the animals DO come from shelters, including the ones on Who Gets the Dog?, so it is nice to see them get a home. I do like it when older dogs get chosen, and I think all the dogs on the new show have been older.

[ShatteringGlass]

I highly dislike that show. The animal behaviourist is annoying and I don't think she knows anything about dogs :roll: And they give these people stupid "tasks" to teach the dog without giving them instructions on how to train the dog.

[lsailor]

I watched it once and that was enough for me! What a goofy show...and I'm a reality TV junkie!

My thing is, the ending of the show is STUPID. I realize the premise of the show is that it is a contest to find the best home for the main dog. But to me it doesn't make sense that only one of the 3 families that wants a dog end up with one. If the show producers were really concerned about rescuing animals, they would show the 2 families that didn't "win" the main dog going to a shelter to adopt a different dog.

Just my 2 cents

:niedowiary:

[JackieMaya]

Then to top it off, the guy who won was talking about how one of those girls was crying over "it" and how that made him want "it" even more, and I cannot stand it when people call their dog an "it."

Grrr, that drives me crazy too! To me, that indicates someone who's dog is an "accessory." If I'm talking to someone about their pet, if I don't know what sex the animal is, I still don't refer to him/her as it. I would rather say "her" and get corrected on the sex than to say "what's it's name?"

If the show producers were really concerned about rescuing animals, they
would show the 2 families that didn't "win" the main dog going to a shelter to adopt a different dog.

Amen to that!

[dogsgalore]

(I've never seen the show.) I don't like it either when someone calls their dog an "it", or any other pet for that matter. I make it a point to call the dog a "he" or "she".

[ObedienceGrrl]

I have never watched the show.

But, without even watching it.....can you all understand what they are trying to accomplish in their own crazy way?

GO OUT AND ADOPT!

LOOK AT ALL THE FINE DOGS IN A HUMANE SOCIETY!

Right?

Do I think it's done in the correct way? No.....but I applaud them for trying to reach people who think the only way to get a dog is to go to their local mall and find a petstore.

Having said that.....I don't think I will ever watch it, either. But, that's just me.

[pyrless]

i don't like it either. i think it condescends to both people and dogs. why compete over one when there are so many out there to choose from?

[courtnek]

I didnt like it either. the behaviorist is clueless, if I am using her "appraisal" of how people do their "tasks"...some dogs dont fetch. period. my hound wont do it, andI've tried teach her repeatedly. running after the ball and making a big deal out of it does nothing. she looks at me and yawns, and wanders off to do something else she likes better, like run in maniac circles around the yard and chase squirrels. my lab loves to fetch, but only her jolly ball. she wont go after a frisbee for anything, even treats. so in that example, I think her assessment was all wrong. her voice annoys me too. way too much sarcasm toward's the "losers"....it could have been done much better.

[imported_Kat]

The whole idea of it is totally rubbish and disregards the dog itself. Moving to so many different homes is bound to confuse the poor dog. Ditch the show I say!