Greatest American Dog Recap-Week 8
This week we had the four remaining teams continue on their quest to become the Greatest American Dog. The week’s theme was loyalty.
You’ll remember that at the end of last week, Galaxy had hurt herself. The good news is that Galaxy’s injury turned out to be nothing. The following morning she woke up and stopped limping. JD took her to the vet and they gave her a clean bill of health. Awesome news!
This week’s dog bone challenge was a competition where the dog was placed on a small tree stump and told to sit or stand while their owner stood on a tree stump about 20 feet away. The first dog to sit down or jump off was eliminated.
Teresa and Leroy won when Travis called Presley off the stump after sitting there for over 18 minutes. In the interview afterwards, Travis explained why he conceded by saying that the challenge was about loyalty. He knew Presley wasn’t comfortable but was being loyal by staying on the stump the whole time. So to show his loyalty to Presley he called him off the stump. Kudos to Travis for doing this.
The best in show challenge was simple. Each dog was placed in a circle with their owner 10 feet away. Each of the other dog owners then had a chance to entice the dog out of the circle.
Laurie and Andrew were first. Let me tell you, Andrew is one loyal dog! With Laurie peering at him, he just sat there as the other three owners jumped around.
Next were Teresa and Leroy. Leroy wanted to chase the ‘toys’ in a bad way. That boy loves to play! It took all of Teresa’s finger pointing, tilting of the head and the constant “ahh, ahh” to keep him in the circle, but she did.
Next up were JD and Galaxy. Galaxy, being the best trained dog on the show, handled the challenge without a problem.
Finally Travis and Presley were up to try their hand. Being the most excitable of all the contestants left,this challenge was clearly the most difficult for them. After staving off the advances of Teresa and Laurie, Presley just couldn’t help bolting towards JD when called. He failed the challenge. Or did he?
The judges had to decide who to let go. The rules would make this simple, no? If the dog leaves the circle, he failed and should therefore be expelled. Since only one dog failed to stay in the defined area, he’s the one to go. Well, not so fast my friends. The team expelled was Teresa and Leroy. Why? Because, according to the judges, when telling Leroy to stay, she did it in a most threatening way.
So the problem that has plagued the show throughout, reared it’s ugly head again tonight. Inconsistent judging.
But is it the judges fault? I don’t think so because nobody seems to know what is being judged. Not me, not you and not the judges.
Here’s what I mean. This week’s show was supposed to be about loyalty. Frankly, it was a just a big sit/stay challenge. That’s it. What’s loyal about forcing your dog to sit or stand uncomfortably on a stump? What’s loyal about forcing your dog to stay as he/she is enticed by food, toys and/or encouragement by others? Does it show discipline? Yes. Loyalty? Maybe.
So how do you show loyalty? Personally, I’d say if my dog Bo hangs loose by my grave for more than a week after my passing, that’s loyalty. Any less time than that, and I suspect that will be the case, then I’ll know he was just in it for the treats : )
As always, I enjoy reading all of your thoughts. Let her rip…
Go Andrew! I’m pulling for you all the way!! I can’t wait to see next episode. It looks really good! I think that it will be cool to see all of the other contestants come back!
YAY ANDREW lol same here just think he is so cute!!
You have done an amazing job with him Lori!!!!!!!!
I agree!! Bill and Star should never have been explelled last week. He knew his dogs limits, and was penelized for it! Its so biased twrds laurie and andrew, its sickining. I didnt even watch tonight because it is so glairing….
Im glad galaxy is okay, but bill and star should still be there
I also did not watch tonite, since Bill and Starr
are gone, I just can not watch those judges
anymore, and their absurd comments
I agree. I miss Bill and Star. They should not have been eliminated. The team that should have been eliminated it should have been Teresa and Leroy. Leroy is a good dog and is a great pet but the team should have been gone a long time ago.
Horrible judging again. Last week JD was praised because Galaxy obeyed; this week he is hammered because she obeyed. Victoria obviously dislikes JD and the male judge calling Galaxy a robot is puzzling to me since Andrew is the same.
We are still pulling for Travis and Presley!!! There was such a mutual loyalty. I have so much respect for Travis and his compassion for his dog rather than the focus on the prize. It took us 5 years to train our now 11 year old boxer, Cedar. Recently, we adopted a 6 week old boxer, Sally. The old gal had her trained within a month or less. I highly recommend getting a puppy for senior dogs. It revitalized Cedar and made training Sally a breeze. Back on the topic of tonight’s show… I felt that it was a lot less stressful and or what might be perceived as dangerous for the dogs and their people.
Being owners of a (8 year old) Boxer, and due to the Republican Convention show going about 10 minutes into the time slot, we were not able to watch the end of the show!! We always record it on our DVR and skip through the commercials, but it backfired on us tonight and we missed the final judging. So, as I read the recap, I was suprised that Theresa and Leroy were given the boot tonight, although I agree that Travis and Presley should of stayed and Theresa & Leroy should of gone due to her harsh commands, plus, The BOXER MUST GO ON!!!
My wife and I watch the show but after seeing it to this point we would never consider taking either of our dogs on it.
I find the stunts meaningless and even dangerous to the dogs. They never explained how Star’s ear got cut in the 2nd or 3rd episode.
It also killed me last week when the British judge stared down at JD and sternly asked him how Galaxy got hurt! I was wishing JD would respond that it may have had something to do with making a 9 year old dog climb a steep ramp, walk a narrow plank and get strapped up for a terrifying slid down a cable!
Most of the stunts have little to do with any of the topics they claim and, as others have said, the judging is ridiculous.
It comes down to what we all consider loyalty. My dogs would not hesitate running to people and play with them and I would not deprive them of that pleasure for the reason that I just don’t want them to. So what’s the point in that test? I do not think that test can assess loyalty. But let me tell you, when Presley went out of the ring and finally JD got him back, all JD did was praise and calm the dog. That is human loyalty to a dog.
Oops sorry, I meant Travis and Presley
I am not so sure what this week challege had to do with loyalty as opposed to who was more obedient. To not break a stay says more about obedience & training than loyality to me.
I was extremely disappointed with the show again tonight…that was just an obedience test NOT a loyalty test. Also, I agree with everyone that Andrew’s the robot NOT Galaxy…..OMG!!! Andrew doesn’t even know how to play, poor thing!! I’m so tired of seeing the judges kiss Laurie’s hiney - I’m not even sure I’m going to watch next week - I think they’ve already made up their minds who’s going to win. What a bummer…I thought this would honestly be a show focusing on dogs not some idiot editor’s ego !
I miss Bill and Star ! They were a awesome team and should have WON !! The stunts are meaningless and should be in tune with what dog do in REAL LIFE to show Loyalty and true Human /dog interaction and loyalty.
I ADORE Travi and Galaxy…my sister could not get why I disliked Teresa so much…blah…I was so glad to get on here and read so many other comments that were identical to mine about her and LeRoy…who btw is a much nicer dog than I would be….if she had put “snarl bands” on me, I would have definately bitten her….guess it’s a good thing I am a human, not a dog LOL. .as far as the safety of tonight’s show…the unstable tree trunks in the challenge early in the show left me with knots in my stomach, especially for the sweet boxer (either he or Galaxy can win and I’ll be happy…Andrew is cute, but I really am tired of the pocked size dog phenomenon…but that’s another rant).
Mad props to Travis for his “love of my life” comment tonite it was heartwarming to see him say that, and to watch him default the leg up because he didn’t want to put her through it anymore.
Andrew was yawning during the challenge. Seems someone has kept a little doggie up so he would remain calm and submissive - or perhaps some blood or urine tests needed to be collected. Laurie’s crossed arms and dead-eye stare is more intimitaded than the other stances. JD and Theresa were on the same level of their dogs. And yes judges and others, a good cow dog does bark. The first time I saw our 2 collies do that, I was trying to get them to quit. I was told to leave them because the big collie was baiting the lead cows (he was crossing in the front, backwards) and the smaller one was at the back of the herd doing the heeling. She could avoid the kicks . (I think that was how they raised us! heading and heeling haha) Everything is inconsistent, but I realized the judges seem to be for Andrew…”see what that little dog did…”
I Agree,Serious INCONSISTENCY!!!
The Judges Are Ridiculously Hard on JD & Galaxy…
Yet Lenient w/Other Teams….
“Robotic”??? I Think Not!! Obedient,Asolutely!! She is Pointer/Border Collie…That Translates to Intense Concentration…Perhaps,They need a Lesson On the Breeds of These Dogs!!
I Agree,Bill & StarShould Not have Gone Home,That was a Very Difficult Episode….
JD & Galaxy Have Been the MOST CONSISTENT…
If You go Back and Review the Challenges,She might not have WON them All,But has NEVER Had a Poor Effort….Oh Yeah,The Judges Didn’t Like her Artwork….That Will Save a Life!!
Presley is a Wonderful Dog!!!! Yes,He is Young,But He is Learning SO Quickly!!! He is Doing a Great Job!!! Love that Dog!!
Andrew is Very Loyal to his Master…Yeah Andrew!!
I Can’t Wait To See The Finale’….
It Should Be
Galaxy
Presley
Andrew
In That Order….
Send the English judge back across the pond, what a joke! She has it in for JD and Galaxy, wouldn’t know an obediant, loyal dog if it bit her on the a@&. I’m through watching this show, fed up with the judges sucking up to Laurie and her little rat dog. Email, blog, write in to CBS, the English judge must go! I have a well one year old American Bulldog, and like Pressley, she wouldn’t stay if it was time to play either.
Travis again showed that his dog comes before anything else. For a Boxer that young to perform as well as he has shows great love & loyalty for his master. WAY TO GO PRESLEY!!!!!!!!! Galaxy is well trained but not as much personality.
I was sorry to see Leroy go. Being a border collie owner for many years, it is clear the judges do not understand the breed. Border collies are extremely intense dogs. No they are not an Andrew. It took extreme concentration on Leroy’s part to stay in that circle with all those distractions. They are workers by nature. Hopefully JD & Galaxy can bring it home.
One more week to see how the judges will finally vote the “Greatest American Dog”. I think we are all pretty much in agreement, the judges are certainly not “the greatest American Dog people”, they think they are. They flip flop from one week to the next, giving one owner and dog praise one week and damming them the next. I still wonder how they figured they could take a group of dogs who are different in every way possible and judge them without some type of point system, which would have appreciated their good points, yet understood their breed types and what they are truly capable of doing. And these challenges? Who the heck came up with them? Anyone who owns a dog - common sense tells you that you wouldn’t expect Tillman the Bull dog to be able to do the same things in the same way a long legged boxer like Presley can, or even a small dog such as Andrew . Kudo’s to Travis again for knowing his dog’s limits. Presley did his best and what more can we ask from our dogs. Theresa and Leroy would have been off the show the first time she slapped, yelled and berated Leroy to do what she wanted not to mention the snarl bands. Last nights show was just another big disappointment, the highlight of the show was watching Theresa leave. She was given the leg up for the challenge and how did she use it, she used it to try and confuse the other dogs, trying to get them to break the commands that she knew had been taught them by their owners. While the rest of the team sincerely tried to make friends with the other dogs. Well justice finally won out and Theresa you are now where you never thought you would be - out of the running for the best of show. Finally the judges did something right!!!
I agree with everyone about the inconsistent judging. And quit picking on JD and Galaxy. He does not threaten his dog, he obviously loves her very much and she returns his love threefold. Thought they all did great with the ridiculous challanges. I have never liked the way Teresa treated Leroy and am glad to see her gone, though I will miss Leroy, barking and all. He is a great dog. And how funny was Andrew constantly running to the door looking for his mom, and when he sneaked outside when he was with JD, I was just laughing out loud. I don’t think Laurie was intimidating Andrew. She was just speaking quietly to him and making constant eye contact. He obviously adores her and I don’t think he is robotic at all. Galaxy certainly is not robotic and I thought that was a ridiculous comment from the judge. The 3 that are left are all deserving of the win, too bad it has to be only one. Can’t wait to see who.
I admit that I do not relate at all to smaller dogs and find nothing appealing in a Maltese (or really anything less than 30-40 lbs minimum). That’s MY issue. However, to label Galaxy as robotic without acknowledging that Andrew shows very similar behavior is just plain stupid. This show needed some clear definitions from the beginning. I do not think that there are any objective goals in mind when choosing weekly winners or even when selecting the ‘rejects’. It’s all whim. What IS the Greatest American Dog????? An objective appraisal of the teams with specific, DEFINED goals is definately lacking here. It’s frustrating for those watchers with any knowledge at all of dogs and dog training! I think many folks who have been around dogs for decades will appreciate the partnership of Bill & Star above and beyond all the other teams. JD & Galaxy are a close second. Of the two remaining teams, I simply can’t find a dog that is unable to relate to anyone other than his/her owner (Andrew) at all appealing and I’d never consider a breed with that kind of temperament. That’s just me….but is that a criterion for selecting The Greatest American Dog?? Travis & Presley should be on the show in another 3-4 years as they are, in fact, a team-in-training. They are both young, inexperienced and probably there more for appeal. Travis readily admits that he knows little about dogs and Presley is just a youngster with lots of potential.
I missed last night,and I agree with most everyone .The judges just suck.I’ve got 1 Irish Wolfhound,2 doxxies,1 Aussie,1Wire Mouth Heeler,&3 mixes.They all are super nice dogs,but I don’t think any of them do a sit/stay if they thought it might be time to play.One of the doxxies is red dot crazy You rattle the gissmo that makes the red dot work and it don’t matter what she is doing or suposed to be doing she is ready and gone.I like JD and Galaxy, Travis and Presley.Galaxy is the old dog that has been doing this forever and has fun too.Presley is the young dog that is learning stuff realy fast and having fun too,but that is what Boxers are all about fun.If they aren’t haveing fun they aren’t real happy.
I continue to watch the show because I love to see the dogs, but every week some flaw or another disappoints me…they seriously need to adjust the show to make it fly next summer.
The last judge - Wendy - really needs to go. Her remarks and judging are inconsistant and she really does not know what she is talking about. PLEASE relieve her from her duties as judge for this show!!!
Last week I said I lost respect for Victoria Stillwell, and after this week, I have decided to not watch her show on Animal Planet anymore! Before GAD, I watched her show a few times and liked it. But after seeing this side of her, I refuse to add to the shows ratings. She, actually all of the judges are supposed to be these acclaimed dog trainors/experts whatever. Seems to me that by now they should have said enough is enough with these ridiculous and sometimes dangerous challenges. Seeing the confusion on all those poor dogs last night (well, except Andrew) was disgusting to me. Then one of the judges says to Teresa- Leroy was distracted. YOU THINK?????????????? I will admit I do want to see who wins, now that we have watched this far, but I will tell you I would never watch this show again, nor support anything any of of the 3 judges is involved with. Completely horrific! And BTW, next weeks episode looks to be just as dangerous with the elephant back and the beams and stuff. I’m just going to tune in at the end to see who wins, I can’t take another hour of watching these dogs be tortured!
First…as I watch this show each week…I use it as a teaching tool for my husband who never had dogs before we got married…I see and hear so many things that allow me to explain better why I do or do not use specific techniques. The results speak louder than words.
This show makes me crazy! Last night I was screaming at the TV! Making lots of noise because these judges are stressing me out! Loyalty is a condition that comes from trust and mutual admiration…this is something that you can see but not demonstrate. It is something that shows when you have an emergency (like trapped in a car) and the dog will not leave you behind. Loyalty is something that you can feel from your dog. Loyalty is knowing in your heart never to put your dog in a position where he would have to lay down his life to save you because he would!
Every Breed has it’s strong and weak points…To judge all the dogs to the same standards regardless of pre-disposition is nothing more than a Beauty Show!
Perhaps they should have judges (as consultants) who are qualified in things like field trials. Then we would get a show that truely finds “The Greatest Dog”
Thanks for another great dog re-cap!
I think the greatest dog has already left the show, I’ll let you decide. I like the judges; they’re well qualified & entertaining. I do wish the producers would find new ways to measure a dog’s skills with regard to age. Older dogs tend to “stay put” longer with age. Older dogs need more help with agility competitions. Age difference makes a big difference in regards to who wins.
I don’t get it. Those judges are weird. They were so indignant about JD and Theresa being threatening…but they were standing 10 feet away, so it wasn’t like they were towering over the dogs like that elephant did. How can they call last night “threatening” but standing beneath an elephant’s trunk a test in obedience? That one classifies as pure terror, not obedience.
Robotic? I don’t get it. Galaxy sat and stayed. If she had sat/stayed while listening to her ipod and tapping her toes a cheerful beat, they would have said she wasn’t paying attention. There’s no way to win. I agree with others that last night’s test was a demonstration of self control, not loyalty.
Frankly, I guess one could say that “loyalty” was better demonstrated by Andrew’s refusal to communicate with any of the other people. Or if they do something similar on another day, would they call it unbalanced co-dependence?
I know Abby loves me above all else, but she is confident enough to be left in the care of others without worrying herself to death. Geez, if she looked for me to the level Andrew looked for Laurie, I’d never be able to board her. She is thrilled to see me and to go home — but at least I know that while she’s there, she is still happy.
As for the judges, I wouldn’t sign up for a private lesson with any other them.
We were on pins and needles watching last night! I still think these judges are much too inconsistent and the tests should have something to do with what dogs may be expected to do in real life. Since Bill and Star are gone I don’t know who to root for. I think Andrew has no personality whatsoever, and I can’t see how he’s a therapy dog when he’s always under his momma and won’t even speak to anybody else. Is any of this fun for him? Leroy, Galaxy, and Presley are all beautiful, obedient, and fun-loving dogs, but the goofy judges penalize them for being the great personalities they are. After watching all this nonsense, I hugged Crush and told him I know who the Greatest American Dog is!!!! (And I don’t need to subject him to a weird reality show to prove it to anyone else!)
Hey Orange Crush’s Momma — you have the Greatest American Dog? I thought it was just ME!
Good for everyone who hugs the stuffin’ out of their dog and let’s them know they are the best! As long as our babies know that in our eyes they are super stars, then that’s all that matters, right???
Hugs to every dog!!!
Have watched this show from the beginning and am deeply disappointed. The powers that be missed a great opportunity! I agree with everyone who dislikes the judges. They are inconsistent, pointless and very, very foolish. I agree with SH who stated he/she would not support any of these three self-involved humans in any of their future endeavors.
I love the dogs and for the most part have great respect for the dog owners - with some exceptions of course.
However, my dog would NEVER be allowed near that place. I love him much too much for that.
I am so upset with those judges, Teresa and Leroy did not deserve to be expelled. Those judges suck before they went to commercial break two of them had agreed on expelling Travis and Pressley then we the show returns they expell Teresa and Leroy that was not right. That judge stillwell? She bullied the other two like she always does. I am so sick of her. I think they should have to bring Teresa and Leroy back and remove Travis and Pressley.
I have been watching the show from the beginning with my two dogs and have for the most part enjoyed the challenges. My dogs want to be in on the action and watching them interacting with the TV has been a riot. The exception was last weeks “flying dogs”. I think that one was a potentially dangerous thing to suggest a dog should do. Next thing you know the dog will jump off a balcony (without the harness). I think the WINNERS last week should have been Bill & Star and the others who didn’t make their dogs do that stunt. I am not a great fan of J D. He seems to be too sure of himself - he needs to give Galaxy some credit too. This is ” Greatest American Dog” - NOT -greatest american trainer. However seeing him lose Andrew last night may have humbled him a bit - I laughed for five minutes after it was all done. And I agree with most others - Last nights challenges had nothing to do with loyalty, but seriously jail-house obediance.
I’ve come to the conclusion that this is really the Greatest American Owner Popularity Contest. JD will not win since one judge despises him and the other judge thinks Galaxy is robotic. It is a shame because I think they have proven to be the best team there. Hands down. Travis and Presley are adorable and we all love them but they should not win either. They are still a bit too green to win. Lori and Andrew will probably win because all of the judges like them. I don’t think Andrew consistently performed like Galaxy did but poor Galaxy has an owner that irked the judges so there it is. But since there is no consistency and no rhyme or reason to the judging who can argue with their decision?
I agree that they should have found a way to judge these competitions based on age, breed and temperament. Not on whether you like their owner or the style of training used. *SIGH* I actually LIKE Victoria Stilwell although I have not agreed with her all of the time on this show. Her show, it’s me or the dog, has really helped me with the training of my own dog. I’ve used her methods and they really do work. The problem is I think she saw GAD as a way to promote her style of training but in a way it is backfiring on her. It’s too bad because she really is a great trainer. I will continue to watch her show because I can always use the help but I hope they don’t try another season of GAD. Unless they can fix some of the major flaws…
First of all, if you are not watching the show anymore because of Bill and Star, we understand and do not need to comment. I am a die-hard fan from the beginning. I thought last night’s challenge was fantastic. Seeing how the owners intereacted with the other dogs was great. Andrew stole the show when he only wanted Laurie, which is what the loyalty was all about. Remember when the big dog Benja was kicked off the show because the owner kept saying ah, ah, ah. That is what Teresa kept doing as well, although they did not say that. Probably Galaxy was robotic from the vet visit. He looked tired. I am glad he is okay. I cannot make up my mind who I like, however, the bond between Travis and Presley is evident and J.D. figured out a way to get back at Travis for always copying their training style. We have a Yorkshire Terrier and she is like Andrew, always following my daughter around and cannot leave her sight. You have to love all the dogs and I do hope they have another show next year because I will be sad when it is over.
I think the judges, did the right thing, I don’t think Teresa should have been so harsh. And as far as the three remaining dogs, you must look at 1. A dog needs to be a dog, playing, eating and to some degree gets into something every now and then.2.The owner and dog enteraction (which does not happen with Andrew) no playing, nothing he is a spoil and just a lap dog.3. Which dog has a ton of training (galaxy). But at least he plays, but there has been to much training..But now look at Presley, no training, he is still a pup, he loves Travis, Travis thinks the world of Presley, never has been to Harsh or over demanding to his best pal. THAT’S WHAT MAKES A GREAT AMERICAN DOG!!!!!So to me Presley and Travis should win the whole thing. And on top of that Presley is a Boxer and anyone who has ever had a Boxer, a pup is hard to get to do anything…
I dont agree with the judges,because a border collie as a mind of there on .the judges cannot change it’s personnality .If the judges know the breed they would know that she add to be firme with him.You cannot acte the same with all breeds , some need more caracter to make them stay when play is offer.Leroy was juste acting like a real border collie.I know what it is to live with border collies,i have 3 of them.
When a dog yawns, it is an expression of discomfort most of the time. I noticed Andrew’s yawning last night also, and have seen it many times from the other dogs all along. It means the dog is feeling insecure and uncomfortable, not fatigued.
I cant believe Andrew is STILL there!!!!! And the judges thought that Galaxy was robotic! Week after week I watch and Andrew does nothing!!!!!! This week was so pathetic I couldnt believe it! He sits there and does nothing and has absolutley NO personality! The greatest american dog in my mind was Star but since they are gone I pulling for Galaxy becuase she is SO talented and her and JD have a bond that is incredible! Im so glad that she is better!!!
I wouldnt mind seeing Travis and Presley win but I dont think they have as much experience as Jd and Galaxy.
Barb….yep, that’s a calming signal! For those unfamiliar with the term, check out ‘On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals’ by Turid Rugaas. There is a DVD as well. I just wonder if the judges in this show are familiar with this reference (snark).
I don’t think yawning means insecurity all the time. Some times it means they are bored. Since this show is about the Greatest American Dog, and not the Greatest American Trainer, I believe we have a winner in Andrew. But all the dogs on the show are the greatest too. To bad the dogs are judged by their owner’s behavior and training method. In the long run, all the dogs were loved and treated kindly. Thanks for giving us a great show and appreciation of training.
How about next time GAD brings on normal dogs? You know, the ones that don’t always sit, come, or stay. The contestants would be given the tools to train their dogs, and the one with the most improvement would win. Also new judges would help.
Am not a fan of Andrew…he just doesn’t seem to have any fun. I suspect most folks love Pressley (which includes us) ’cause he’s so happy to be alive! Galaxy is well trained, but pretty much a pro, as she performs in fairs,etc, so it’s an unfair advantage.
Andrew isn’t loyal, he’s completely dependent on Laurie. As for his courage in staying put in the path of the oncoming elephant, he wasn’t courageous, just sitting there like a fuzzy little lump waiting for a command from his master. A courageous dog would have gotten up off his ass and barked a challenge.
What a laugh that the judges said that Galaxy was robotic after this week’s challenge. Galaxy??? What were they watching? Andrew acts as if he’s had a lobotomy. Hey judges, remember that he’s supposed to be a terrier.
Andrew is very boring, can’t see him having fun with a bunch of kids, Galaxy is the best trained and does some great tricks (see photo page) but Presley is the GREATEST American dog because he is so full of life and willing to try anything. Once a Boxer owner, always a Boxer owner.
This show is a mess. The judges are horrible, the challenges are stupid… I hope it is canceled. The dogs are the only good part. I feel like a moron for watching, but want to see who wins.
JD has a bloated ego and his dog NEVER looks happy. Last night, he leaned down and pet her and she stood motionless, no tailwags, staring straight ahead. Where are people getting the idea that they have some amazing bond? Odd.
Laurie was definitely too hard on Leroy. Glad she is gone. She should’ve been gone a long time ago.
Andrew is a Maltese, and that breed is from the toy group — he is not a terrier as an earlier person posted. The toy breeds can be difficult to train, especially as compared to the herding breeds (which I have), so it really is an achievement that Andrew is so well trained.
JD is a pro and he and Galaxy perform professionally. Seriously unfair to pit this guy against average dog owners. Plus, he has pretty much admitted to using harsher techniques, so it is not like the judges or anyone else just came up with the idea on their own. If he doesn’t like it that people frown on his training methods, then maybe he should just change them. Maybe if he didn’t consider the “scruff shake” a training tool, his dog would look happy or wag her tail once in a while. He should not win.
If you want to know what it looks like for a dog and owner to have a real bond, look at Travis and Presley. That is a green dog but boy is he sweet, never “robotic”, and wags that little nub all the time. Clearly a loved dog.
Pat, is your age higher than your IQ? I think so because of the following:
1) You say that a courageous dog would stand up to the elephant and bark for a challenge. That wouldn’t be courageous, that would just be wanting to fight. Courage is not being afraid of possible effects when you are doing something for someone else. If Andrew started to bark at the elephant and “wanting a challenge”, then that would just be wanting to fight others because you’re mean.
2)You called Andrew a terrier. Okay, get your facts straight before you say anything. I don’t know anything about New Mexico, so I’m not going to go shooting off facts that I don’t even know if their true or not. Andrew is a MALTESE! Not a terrior.
3)You say that Andrew was robotic and acted like he had a lobotomy. Okay. Enough said. I don’t even have to say anything.
So please, next time that you say anything, get your facts straight please. Also, to those who say that Andrew doesn’t even look like he would have fun with children, that is so untrue. I have a maltese exactly like Andrew and I couldn’t ask for a better dog.
So, I am definetly pulling for Andrew because he is the best dog on the show.
Sorry to have miscategorized Andrew as a terrier but every Maltese i’ve ever encountered has been so feisty that I jumped to that wrong assumption. Nonetheless, terrier or toy, poor Andrew bears lttle resemblance to the AKC breed description of the Maltese as follows:
“For all his diminutive size, the Maltese seems to be without fear. His trust and affectionate responsiveness are very appealing. He is among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet he is lively and playful as well as vigorous. “
I so love this show, but I find myself falling in love with these dogs and missing them. I so wish I could take Leroy away from Teresa, I couldnt stand her “aha aha” , god should strike those words from her vocabulary. We ahve a broder collie and they are known as “near genious”. I dont see Andrew as loyal, he is so dependant on Laurie, he wouldnt even play with any other “parents” Greatest americain Dog is in all areas, Andrew wont socialize. I love love this show
I seem to recall the the Maltese being commonly called the “Maltese terrier” back in the 60s, even though they are not a terrier. From the history of the Maltese: “It should be noted that the Maltese is a spaniel …”
So Drew, let’s not get into insults on this board, OK? Everyone’s IQ is higher than their age and everyone is allowed to have an opinion. Some of us think Andrew is the greatest and some of us don’t.
And I just want to know why a constantly popular breed, the German shepherd, wasn’t even competing on this TV show!!! LOL
If this show is picked up again this year or next, do you think the next group of judges might have some knowledge of dogs? And, could they be a little less condescending to the owners? Wendi what’s her name gets on my last nerve and I think her voice really hurts the dogs ears. Plus, she’s just downright rude. Victoria is almost as bad. I really feel bad for JD because he was confused again. One week, he’s a bad trainer, next week, a good trainer, the next, he’s too harsh. JD loves Galaxy and she loves him(and she is a happy dog). For crying out loud, judges, be consistent. The male judge is just as bad as the women or maybe sitting between the two of them has rubbed off on him.
Travis and Presley make me smile over and over again. There is a wonderful bond between these two and we’ve been able to see it blossom over the past weeks. Travis has made a committment to Presley and it certainly showed when he stopped the challenge on the stump. Presley may not be perfect in all the challenges(which most of them were totally ridiculous) but he put his heart into what he did, which places him at the top for loyalty. From the very beginning of this show, Travis admitted he was new to dog ownership and he has improved 100% in learning how to train Presley and they will continue to grow together. Presley is a joy to watch and I truly hope he’s The Greatest American Dog (next to both of mine, of course).
As for Lori and Andrew, they will probably win because the judges gush every week over them. Sorry, I still don’t care for Lori’s attitude. She never smiles or laughs and when she talks about Andrew, there never seems to be any emotion. Maybe, that’s why Andrew is the way he is. If someone stood in front of me with their arms crossed and stared me down, I would be intimidated and wouldn’t budge either. This little dog always seems so sad and expressionless. He is totally dependent on her, can you say OCD. I wonder how he handles being left alone.
I have had dogs for my entire life(Pugs, Terriers, Labs, mixed breeds and a Belgian Malinois). All with different personalities and needs, but not a one of them has ever been as “needy” as Andrew. Andrew is missing out on a lot because of Lori and that is sad.
The thing that amazed me about Galaxy was when she had x-rays at the vet’s and the vet said she has the joints of a 2-year-old. Considering Galaxy’s age and the sport she performs, either the dog is a freak or JD is very concerned with nutrition, supplements, etc., to keep her healthy. He obviously loves her very much.
It does seem likely that Andrew will sweep his fur to the title. If that should happen, I will be sad. Like so many of you have said before me, his actions speak to something like separation anxiety. Loyalty is not measured by how tied to an owner a dog may be. Loyalty is how a dog is allowed to be free to be a dog, and then come back for praise in doing so. Loyalty is a dog that picks you over an elephant….because that loyal dog knows you will protect them. Loyal dogs trust their masters to do the right …..
Ya know? I stop now. Andrew painted no art. He fled from others trying to play with him. He really did no dance routine that I could see. He did not “fly” like the orange dog we all love and wished to fly. He will win. Andrew will win for being a robot.
I realize that everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I apologize for being disrespectful. But you have to admit that this is completely untrue.Pat said this earlier—
—-As for his courage in staying put in the path of the oncoming elephant, he wasn’t courageous, just sitting there like a fuzzy little lump waiting for a command from his master. A courageous dog would have gotten up off his ass and barked a challenge.
Okay, I am very sorry for being “mean”, but that would not be courageous.That would just be idiotic.
Also, it’s not that I like Andrew a lot and that I am being biased. It is just that I think he could definetly win and if he did, I would be happy, but I would be happy for any of the dogs to win.
I LOVED Leroy, but I thought that puppy thing was rigged for a border collie. They are born knowing how to move animals from one place to another.
And I HATE seeing dogs leave - humans I don’t mind. It was bound to come to a point where the judges really had to work to come up with a reason for dismissing anyone.
I’m really enjoying the show, but we all know the greatest American dog is our own.
Jodi I dont know here you are getting the idea JD has a big ego in fact I think that last week he showed a softer side of himself that I have never seen! The best part of the show was when JD said ” Id never threaten the love of my life” that was awesome!!!! Jodi if you trained your dog a certain way would YOU stand up for it and defend it???? I see no problem in the way JD trained Galaxy ( I didnt train my dog that way but still think that it is effective) I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE ON HERE THINK THEY KNOW EVERYTHING!!!!!!! And it was Teresa who went home not Laurie.
Hey Drew, I didn’t mean to pick on you either. You brought up some good points. I don’t think barking at the elephant would have been a smartest thing for a dog to do unless they were physically forced (chained up) to stay and defense was the only option.
However, I do think leaving was the smart thing for the normal dog to do. Getting out of the way of an elephant is similar to getting out of the way of a moving car. Without conditioning, most dogs will choose self-preservation. We all know that some owners are idiots, but just because the owner wants to do something foolish doesn’t mean their dog has to happily go along with them.
At this point, given the choices (I was a big Bill and Star fan), I’d like to see Presley win. He and Travis apparently came in knowing very little compared to the others but have made tremendous training progress while keeping their positive and close bond. They are still a work in progress, but isn’t that like most of our own greatest dogs?
Being a dog professional myself, I agree that the show has it’s flaws, but I continue to watch for the love of dogs. The one thing we all have to remember is that THIS IS A COMPETITION. Every week, 1 dog must be eliminated (just like other “reality” shows).
The judges have all admitted that these final weeks are tough for them too as they know they are looking at the “best of the best” now and ANY dog they are forced to eliminate is a “ruff” call. (but somebody’s gotta go–that’s how the show works folks!)
In my opinion, I also believe the “BEST DOG” has probably already been voted off. Star, that is….There is just something special Bill has with that dog that we all could learn a lesson from. But, I will now pick my favorite of the remaining dog/owners, and root for them until the end.
I will continue to watch & I may not agree with the final winning result, but the show itself is a great concept and deserves some credit for that. If it didn’t bring out these emotions in all of us about “pets”, it wouldn’t be on-air at all!
I agree with that Laurie, but Presley did the same thing by staying in front of the elephant. Also, if you look back to that episode, Presley came up right before Andrew did. I yes, I also really liked Bill and Star.
Excuse me, in my last comment, I meant to say in my last sentence and yes, not I yes, so pardon me.
Congratulations to Travis and Presley
hi I hope you have a next show of greatest american dog. I love that show so I hope you have a next show.
hi I hope you have a next show of the greatest american dog. I love that show so I hope you have a another show.
Congratulations to Travis and Presley and Lori and Andrew!! You both have great dogs and great “dog” attitudes. I couldn’t have made the decision which of you should win.
Thanks Lori for showing us a compassionate way of dog training that in the end won out. I think both you and Andrew are terrific!!!
Travis and Presley you will be GREAT ambassadors for ” America’s Greatest Dog!”