Comments on: Greatest American Dog - Week 9 Loyalty

By: bldsoht

bldsoht — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:08:22 +0000

frankly speaking, letting the judges have full power over who stays and goes is the dumbest thing ever, I think the public should have a say as well. After all 2 of the judges are editors and activists, there is no mention of their proficiency in dog training or study in dog behavior, thus it is obvious that their decisions on who stays and goes is based on their own personal preference. Honestly, perhaps people with backgrounds in studying canine behavior are better suited than editors and activists.

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:57:58 +0000

I watched this show all the way thru but some of the challenges were clearly biased toward certain breeds (a Maltese in a herding competition? Seriously?) Otherwise, I like Victoria’s show on Animal Planet but her judging did nothing for me. I don’t get the criticisms of JD who clearly (to me anyways) loved his dog and was not threatening. As it is, I’m just happy Laurie and Andrew didn’t win. The dog trainer above said it best-separation anxiety is not loyalty.

By: terri

terri — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:15:48 +0000

I would not want my dog to just sit there with an elephant charging also would not want my dog to jump from a height that would not be safe without the harness, the dog knows that there is a harness?
I don’t think so.
Stupid challenges.
I want my dog have self preservational skills and not blindly follow.
Regarding Leroy, isn’t he suppossed to bark? That is a breed that barks when having fun or excited, don’t understand why it annoys Teresa so much.
Terri

By: dianne

dianne — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:46:46 +0000

I am glad that Travis & Presly won. They have the heart and clearly are a partnership, despite their youth and inexperience.

The show was so bad, it was moved time slots twice, then the last episode pulled off our stations in our area and I didn’t get to watch it.

It would have looked bad if JD and Galaxy won as he trains dogs professionally and does demos for the public in rodeos etc. Depite that, I bet this will a big boost to his dog training business.

I am not sure what is up with Andrew. He is loyal yes, but being that attached to his owner is not normal. He really didn’t seem to have much of a personality from the edits they chose to show us.

For those of you with issues of using food rewards to train a dog, there is no difference between them and toys like balls etc.

If you know what you are doing, you wean your dog off the treats once the new behavior is established so you don’t have to use them for long. It’s about doing your reseach. If you look up “clicker training” on the web, you will find a ton of information on it. There are also many videos on Youtube that both show how to do it and the results- a well-trained eager dog! It is the most current and humane approach to training (and can be used on any animal!) and the result is a dog that thinks and can problem solve.
Using the market method also teachers the trainer (owner) how to break behaviors into small steps that a dog can successfully, easily and quickly learn without being forced to do so. Police dogs, Service and Assistance dogs, agility dogs and even tracking and Search and Rescue dogs are now being trained using this method.
It turned my dog with a stubborn streak into a willing and devoted parnter who is eager to work for me! And she is only 18 months old and she was a rescue at 7 months.

By: dianne

dianne — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:44:46 +0000

I am glad that Travis & Presly won. They have the heart and clearly are a partnership, despite their youth and inexperience.

The show was so bad, it was moved time slots twice, then the last episode pulled off our stations in our area and I didn’t get to watch it.

It would have looked bad if JD and Galaxy won as JD trains dogs professionally and does demos for the public in rodeos etc. Depite that, I bet this will a big boost to his dog training business.

I am not sure waht is up with Andrew. He is loyal yes, but being that attached to his owner is not normal. He really didn’t seem to have much of a personality from the edits they chose to show us.

For those of you with issues of using food rewards to train a dog, there is no difference between them and toys like balls etc.

If you know what you are doing, you wean your dog off the treats once the new behavior is established so you don’t have to use treats for long. It’s about doing your reseach. If you look up “clicker training” on the web, you will find a ton of information on it. There are also many videos on Youtube that both show how to do it and the results- a well-trained eager dog! It is the most current and humane approach to training (and can be used on any animal!) and the result is a dog that thinks and can problem solve.
Using the clicker also teachers the trainer (owner) how to break behaviors into small steps that a dog can successfully, easily and quickly learn without being forced to do so. Police dogs, Service and Assistance dogs, agility dogs and even tracking and Search and Rescue dogs are now being trained using this method.
It turned my dog with a stubborn streak into a willing and devoted parnter who is eager to work for me! And she is only 18 months old and she was a rescue at 7 months.

By: Kristy

Kristy — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:21:25 +0000

I was so relieved when Presley won! I still think that JD and Galaxy were the true winners because she was such a smart and well trained dog, but I really didn’t want Andrew and Laurie to win.
Just because JD doesn’t train his dog the way the judges would like, it doesn’t make his techniques wrong and it doesn’t make Galaxy less of a dog. At least he doesn’t have to bribe her with treats to do anything! She obeys him because she trusts and respects him. Not because he has treats in his pocket. Plus you can see how much those two love eachother.
I can’t stand the judging in this show. Viewers should be the judges because I wanted to watch “Greatest American Dog” not just a regular dog show that you can watch on TSN.
Congratulations Travis and Presley! I had my fingers crossed for you and was sitting at the edge of my seat waiting for the results to be read!

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:56:22 +0000

Oh, I am sooooo upset that Lori and Andrew didn’t win!! ANDREW IS THE GREATEST AMERICAN DOG. I love that little guy!!

By: snoopysnake

snoopysnake — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:30:28 +0000

Of the three teams remaining, I pick Laurie and Andrew. They understand each other and their love is real, and they both have skill and great intelligence.

Galaxy is a sweet dog, but JD has too much of an athletic-competitive mindset. I can picture him doing what he does with other dogs. He doesn’t project a special bond between him and Galaxy, certainly not the way Laurie and Travis do with their dogs.

Travis and Presley could deserve winning for most improvement and most team spirit, and in a way, should win if it’s a “all-American dog” as a pet….not perfect, but always trying. Travis adores Presley and they will continue to bond and will be like Bill and Star as the years go by.

The sneak preview shows that the eliminated contestants are returning to the stage to weigh in on the finale - how about all of them, and the judges, making unanimous declaration that it was just WRONG to eliminate Bill and Star, and that they ARE the official winners? They have already won this competition - let’s have the show admit it!

By: Cathy C.

Cathy C. — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:11:47 +0000

What I’m saying, I’m saying in the wee morning hours before the final show. Though I have my inclinations (which include either Galaxy or Travis being victorious), I have no idea how tonight’s episode will turn out. What I would like to offer out, just in case the producers or executives or anything of the like ever happen to read these blogs, is what I consider advise. I have read all of the comments throughout the show. I have been a fan throughout the season but have found reason to agree with several predominant viewpoints. If you want to consider continued success with this television series, consider these options: 1. Viewer voting. Though not possible with other CBS shows, in situations like this, totally viable, favorable, and profitable. 2. Cumulative wins. Though not as suspenseful in keeping up ratings, fair and still a fair hook for die hard fans. 3. House guest votes. Though they wouldn’t work exactly the same way as a show like big brother… they could. 4. A combination of judge’s and viewers’ votes; probably the best remedy. Judges pick the best few; viewers pick the best. That would keep the masses happy. That along with not involving the inhumane and dangerous use of wild animals such as African elephants (which are often very harshly and cruelly trained themselves {and still totally unreliable even under the best of circumstances}).

By: olivia

olivia — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:30:02 +0000

I think lori and andrew are going home.Her dog is so connected to her he doesn’t want anyone else to train him.JD and Galaxy are going to win I know it.