Author: Hilary
Greatest American Dog: Episode I
Thursday, July 10th, 2008 @ 11:51 pm
Did everyone see the premier of CBS’s new reality competition Greatest American Dog? Some of you may remember, Cup of Dog gave a head’s up in May! (Click here.)
The show features 12 teams of varying dogs and their people, who will live together and compete for a$250,000 cash prize and the title, Greatest American Dog.
What makes an already great dog, the greatest? According to the show’s host, zoologist and T.V. personality, Jarod Miller, the qualities are intelligence, obedience and the teamwork demonstrated between dog and human.
As the contestants arrived from all over the country, they got their first whiff of their new doghouse, the Canine Academy. Furnished with everything a dog and trainer could want, the exterior features topiaries trimmed into dog themed shapes, a swimming pool and lots n’ lots of grass!
Competition heated up immediately, as Jarod Miller instructed the competitors in a canine version of musical chairs. The first team to lose their chance were Brandy, a 26 year old fashion designer and her pal Beacon. The teams continued to show their skills until all were eliminated except for one. 
J.D. and his highly trained dog, Galaxy swept the competition! Their prize? The Golden Bone, which gave them the opportunity to live and the sweet suite, giving the two private quarters decked out in bone themed decor and plenty of goodies for both dog and dude. J.D. also had to choose one of his castmates to live in the Doghouse, an outdoor literal dog house!
Eeek! Upscale New York doctor, David and his pooch Elvis were none too thrilled with their new living arrangement, but the rest of the castmates compassionately helped David and Elvis settle in with mattresses, pillows and other amenities. Awww. How neighborly!
The next day, came the main event, a Talent Show where each team would have a chance to show their stuff. Divided into teams, the contestants devised themed displays to showcase their pooch’s strongest skills.
The first team chose a Hawaiian Luau theme and seamlessly demonstrated their teamwork and talent. Next up, the Bark and Wag High School themed demo, which wasn’t quite as good as the Hawaiian crew, in fact, it was probably the least creatively scripted of the bunch. Finally, the disco themed team did their dance, led by the raucous comedian Michael and his pooch, Ezzie.
The judges, Allan Reznik (Editor-at-Large of Dog World and Dog Fancy and much, much more), Wendy Diamond (Chief Pet Officer, Editor-In-Chief and founder of the animal lifestyle magazine and website, Animal Fair - an excellent magazine) and my personal hero, Victoria Stillwell, whom I have written about before. She ROCKS!
Host and trainer in the T.V. show It’s Me or the Dog, the best dog show ever, Victoria turns every dog she touches to gold using compassion, firm boundaries and positive training methods.
In the end Michael and Ezzie got booted, as Michael made his team’s performance about himself, rather then Ezzie. See ya!
Who is your favorite team? Discuss! And tune in next week to see the fur fly!
For more information, video clips and more, visit the Greatest American Dog website.
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July 11th, 2008 at 2:53 am
Cool Recap, I was glad to see Michael leave. I couldn’t stand his over the top whining and personality.. Look forward to the next episode.
July 11th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Hi Fan!
Thanks for checking out Cup of Dog! I too, was glad too see Michael leave, though I felt bad for Ezzie. What a cute pooch!
I, too, am psyched for next week’s episode. Check back and let us know what you think next week!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I only caught the ‘tail’ end of the episode
But Victoria Sitlwell is my hero too!! I’ve been watching her show on Animal Planet with my dog and we use so many of her tips and commands - she is the best dog trainer out there. (Not a Cesar Milan fan….).
Can’t wait for next week’s episode!
July 11th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Those folks made me nervous. I’m not a type-A dog (unless there’s food around) and those humans were a tad… shall I say… intense? I especially didn’t like that female human that wouldn’t let anyone touch her dog. Poor dog! Attention from humans is the best!
Big Pupi is voting her Galaxy because they have the same fashion sense. Me - Well, I like everyone.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Erin,
Glad to have a fellow Victoria fan on Cup of Dog!! I have the book too and I can’t recommend it enough. I always give it as a gift to new puppy owners.
I have to say, I like Cesar too, but Victoria just rocks my world. In my next life, I will be her!!
July 11th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Aww, Stan, I know you aren’t a type A-Dog - and I agree, the human parts of those teams are quite….well….intense. And I am sooo with you on the female human who doesn’t like people touching her dog! Dogs need human love! Its fun!
Louis is with Big Pupi, voting for Galaxy, while Ella Bean has decided to take her time before she chooses who she is rooting for. As for me - I want to see what happens with that Giant black dog! Now that’s a lotta dog!
July 11th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Brandy and Beacon—-my favorites!
Brandy must be designing all her clothes-so cute!!!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
The elimination of Michael and Ezzie was a case of pure homophobia! Despite one contestant physically pushing her dog into performing, it was obviously decided that Michael was “too gay” and had to go. There were at least 4 other animals that didn’t do as well as they did, but were allowed to continue. I’ll never watch another episode and plan to boycott all sponsors, and notify them why. And I’ll never watch that English bitch Victoria again – she was cruel and obviously punishing the dog for the man. Fifty million gay people should be outraged and protest this injustice, too.
July 11th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Tilly,
I have to disagree. Reality TV thrives on flamboyant personalities. Many individuals are cast BECAUSE of that.
Michael’s elimination was a surprise, but I believe it was based on the fact that the show stated that one of the three tenants of the “Greatest Dog,” was teamwork.
Michael didn’t give Ezzie much of a chance. I believe that the judges looked at who had the most potential to develop on all counts and Michael’s making the show about him, rather then the dog, was the deciding factor. In the end, Ezzie wasn’t able to DO anything, because of Michael.
I think calling this a case of homophobia is overstated, calling for outrage and referring to this as an injustice is ludicrous!
As for your feelings about Victoria, I suggest you spend some more time learning about her. She is one of the few prominent trainers that promotes positive training methods and has more respect for dogs then most people (yourself included, I suspect) have for other people.
July 13th, 2008 at 5:12 am
[…] Click here. The show features 12 teams of varying dogs and their people, who will live together andhttp://www.cupofdog.com/2008/07/10/greatest-american-dog-episode-i/Dogs and Human Health InformationDog health and human health information. … animal Shelter Contact […]
July 27th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I think that all the dogs are amazing there! Especially JD and Galaxy!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I think the show is rigged! The girls cheat by using different objects to get the task done, as where the guys just use the dog and the guys get kicked off the show. BULL—T! judges be fair.