I'd like to see it come down to Presley and Stat. I like Andrew and Galaxy (and of course Galaxy is my colors!), but I just don't care for their owners.
And I agree Karen, the apology portion was the worst acting fo the whole fight. Pathetic!!!
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I'd like to see it come down to Presley and Stat. I like Andrew and Galaxy (and of course Galaxy is my colors!), but I just don't care for their owners.
And I agree Karen, the apology portion was the worst acting fo the whole fight. Pathetic!!!
Welp, I finally got caught up with all the episodes last night.
Frankly, I don't think any of them are the "greatest american dog." :o I've seen much better trainers and dog/dog people out there, oh well.
I don't like the judges either. They're magazine editors, aren't they? Get some real dog people in there that actually know what they're talking about.
They drive me up a wall. Especially when the lady went on and on about the bands used on Leroy being inhumane. I agree, it wasn't the best decision but I think it was far from inhumane, it didn't hurt and I personally have used tape and things in order to get a behavior out of a dog. Put tape on Micki's nose (in an attempt to teach 'hide your eyes') and he has a full blown panic attack. It doesn't hurt him, he just doesn't like it. That's what I felt happened with Leroy.
Also I was a little peeved when they started discussing training methods. JD's method OBVIOUSLY works with his dog, and his is one of the better trained ones there. To each their own, I say. Not every training method is going to work for every dog. I do really like Laurie, she knows what she's talking about for the most part. BJ really got on my nerves and she should have left before Preston. I think Leroy could be awesome if the lady knew what she was doing.
That last event, rescuing the puppies was ridiculous. Like chastising Andrew for nipping a puppy, when he was obviously just telling the puppies, hey I don't like that. It's how puppies learn what's acceptable and what's not. I saw nothing wrong with nipping and putting a puppy in it's place, and considering Andrew's size I was impressed with the way he handled it. I felt bad for Bill and Star. Star wasn't comfortable from the beginning, then they got upset that Bill pushed her. If he wouldn't have pushed her they would have said something about that. "Presely focused very much on you and wasn't particularly engaged with the puppies. He had no patience to bring them through the maze" WELL DUH. Presely did awesome, running through the maze to get to his daddy. Most dogs would do the same thing, and not care about the puppies. In fact, not ONE of the dogs tried to get the puppies to the other side, it was all in if the puppies wanted to follow the other dog and the dog was going slow enough for them to keep up. I thought the whole theme, "rescue", was lame.
I hope Bill and Star win. And I still really like Travis. I'm sure in a few years Presely will be awesome.
An Elephant? Are you SERIOUS? Jack would definitely freak.
I like galaxy but not her owner.Quote:
Originally Posted by anna_66
If the DOG could win that would be one thing. But she comes attached to him. BLAH
I think Wendy gushed over Galaxy's performance b/c she has a crush on JD.:p
But then again I've seen her reality show on the Style network and I think she's a borderline Man-Hater.
I thought the show last night was good. I like little Andrew. what a brave boy to face down a charging elephant. I wouldn't have!!!
I'm sad that Star and Bill had to go though. I hope that Galaxy's injury isn't serious. I think he did it when he was in the harness jumping off the tower. :(
We wanted Bill and Star to win, and were sad that they went home. We agree that it was probably an injury caused by the harness that has Galaxy limping, poor girl. For the first time, JD seems human, with his girl injured. I hope she'll be okay, and I hope the show pays for the veterinary care she'll require.
We thought Leroy did a great job, he didn't immediately jump, but when his momma made it clear, off he went. And he was SOOOO ready at each step of the course, with that Border Collie focus and energy ready to Goooooo!
OH man. I was so SAD that Bill and Star left :( I think Star was ready to go though and I'm sure Bill is more than happy to get home to his family.
Poor Galaxy. I don't know exactly how she hurt herself but if I had to guess I would say it was that incline she had to run up... she looked like she may have faltered a bit at the very end of it. The previews show that next week she is still hurt. I hope JD is wise enough to leave with her if she isn't better.
And is it just me or are the judges being TOTALLY unfair to Travis and Presley? Presley did the whole obstacle with no problem. He did EXACTLY what Travis asked him to do. but they got on his case about Presley being "out of control" Ummm... where was he out of control? because he got excited when Travis gave him praise? GMAB If he was out of control he wouldn't have been in a tie breaker with andrew when they did the elephant challenge.
I cannot believe that the smallest dog and the youngest dog were the last two standing in the elephant challenge lol. I can't blame the other dogs for taking off lol. Suzie (the elephant) was HUGE. But presley and Andrew stayed there even when she reached in to grab the banana. My dogs would have grabbed the banana and ran HAHAHAHA
And is it just me or were Wendy Diamonds eyes really freaky last night? She had that "Michael jacksons Thriller" look to her eyes last night... they seemed almost yellow... and creepy
I think she IS creepy!Quote:
Originally Posted by sparks19
I saw I had an email notification to this thread and waited to open it until I watched the end of the show and I'm glad I did or I would have had the surprise spoiled. Altho Its a good thing Keegan can't talk b/c I wouldn't want her repeating what I was yelling at the TV when Bill and Star went home.
I wanted to smack Wendy Diamond when she turned her mouth down and frowned at Leroy's performance. I'd like to see her little stuffed animal do any of the stuff those dogs have to do. **growl** :mad:
yes they are being completely unfair to Travis and Presley. They did way better than a lot of dogs.
I was DULY impressed with JD last night. He was more POSITIVE then I've ever seen him with Galaxy. He was very positive with her when she got out of the circle with Susie. He made me cry with his positiveness and his compassion towards Galaxy last night. I would have never thought he had it in him. I do hope SHE is alright tho. Poor baby.
I dunno - Its pretty intense now. I can't decide figure out who I want to win.
I think Bill made a wise decision to take the blue ramp - Star is older as well, and look what happened to Galaxy.
Does her dog even move? I can't remember ever seeing it even yawn! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by shais_mom
I wanted Bill and Star to win too. I'm sort of glad she didn't jump though, I was afraid she would get hurt doing that. You could tell she didn't like the entire stunt. :(
I knew he was going home because he had the "weakest" performance. I'm glad he didn't keep prodding her to jump and understood that she just didn't want to and wasn't comfortable. and I'm glad he chose the blue ramp too. That red one would have been so hard on her poor little body.
JD ticked me off with his usual "my dog is better" comments. Like when he said "she's been around a 2000 lb bull before unlike the rest of them" yeah ... well a 2000lb bull is a FAR cry from a 9000lb elephant lol. But his reaction when she left the circle was very sweet and when she was hurt he was so attentive to her and it really warmed my heart to see him act like a human with emotions and really show his love for Galaxy without all the chest thumping.
Aaarrrgh!!! I forgot, I completely forgot. :( And I wasn't doing anything that interesting either. Sounds like I missed an interesting episode.
Ginger's mom, you can watch the episodes right on your computer if you miss any. I didn't get to see the first half last week and that is what I did. I missed a little last night and am going back to watch it later.
I was a little irritated that the judges told Bill last week that he pushed Star too hard and this week when he tried to figure out what was best for her, they told him he should have had her go up the red ramp. Like one time he should know what his dog can do and not do but then he's told he didn't know his dog well enough and she could have gone up the red ramp. And they are definitely against Travis and Presley. Presley is doing amazing for a young dog, amazing! And yet they jumped on him because he didn't stay back until Travis called him at the beginning and then Travis "endangered" him by letting him jump up when they got to the top. I also felt that this week's challenge was again a little slanted against some of the dogs. I was surprised when Andrew went up the ramp and then when he went across that walk. To even think that a small dog like him would actually jump from that height was ridiculous. And as I saw the way Galaxy was floundering around, I wondered how safe that was for any dog - that they might injure their back. Actually I think Presley was the only one who seemed to just go and not try to fight it.
I don't know who thought up these "challenges" but I am not really sure they have anything to do with being the "Greatest American Dog". Personally in my mind, Bill and Star and Travis and Presley should be the winners. To have a trainer like JD be a part of this I think is unfair. I want to see normal people and how they train and act with their dogs not some trainer who does it as a profession. The elephant thing was ridiculous too - but since it was just about getting the "Dog Bone Suite" I guess it was okay.
Travis said during part of the program that Presley was not able to do a lot of what he did before coming to the Camp. I think that says a lot for both Travis and Presley that they took to heart and watched and learned from the others. Snoopy would probably be the closest in relationship to any of those dogs with me. He would have jumped off just so he could be with me and because he trusted me not to do anything to hurt him. (I can't see him staying and letting an elephant charge at him though). Again, I think Travis and Presley and Bill and Starr are the ones I consider to be what I would want from the Greatest American Dog.
I thought the same thing. It is like no matter what he choose, it was going to be wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by 4 Dog Mother
I also had a different take on Travis getting Presley excited before jumping. He was using a toy, to keep it light and keep Presely relaxed. Okay, so maybe it was getting abit rowdy considering the height, but I think Presely would have tensed up if Travis did and keeping it light helped them both. I didn't think it was that different from the way JD tried to keep it light and fun with Galaxy (except that being 9 years old, she was more restrained).
Anyone watch tonight?
I think they m ade the right choice sending teresa and Leroy home. Yes Presley left the circle all together but I think Leroy was more out of control as a whole.
I also like how Travis decided to forfeit the dog bone challenge because it was obvious that Presley was uncomfortable and not having a good time. Good for him.
I am so glad Galaxy is OK
Also... I know Laurie hasn't always come across in a good lighting but WOW... does she understand her dog and vice versa. What a performance in the best in show. Andrew did not faulter at ALL.
I am so annoyed at the judging in this show. Both the judging and the challenges lately have been completely unfair.
Andrew only wants to be with Laurie. Anyone with an ounce of sense knew he'd excell at paying attention only to her. It would have been more of a challenge for him TO pay attention to commands from someone else. Whereas Leroy - the dog's a Border Collie for goodness sake. It is in his genes and his breeding to pay attention to moving objects. That Victoria called Teresa's body language toward him - and JD's toward Galaxy "threatening" was just plain stupid. There is no way either of those dogs felt threatened, not one bit. They are both herding dogs by breed, and needed extra effort from their owners to not move off their mark.
I truly believe each and every owner there now loves their dogs. But they are all VERY different in ages, breeds, and inclinations. A stuffed animal could have done every bit as good as Andrew in this week's challenge - does that make it more loyal, or a better dog? No.
The judges are taking into consideration only what THEY want to focus on, not the dog's breed, age, temperament or anything. Which is just plain ignorant, and unfair.
It's not often that I say this, but I think I would be a better judge than either of the women there, and they either edited out all of his stuff, or the guy didn't make many comments, so I am not sure about him.
I agree. I have only watched the show twice now but both times, I thought the judging was ridiculous and very subjective. I thought both LeRoy and Galaxy did amazing jobs of ignoring temptations and obeying their commands. It seems that the judges are more interested in judging the people than the dogs.
I actually have to disagree with this. If you had said this several weeks ago, Karen, I would have agreed with you, but now you have to look at the competition as a whole. In order to get this far, the dog would have already had to go through other tests that were not so much in the nature of their breed of dog. For example, I thought that many of the earlier tests were geared toward the bigger dogs and quite challenging for the smaller dogs. The fact that the smaller dogs got through them (Preston and Andrew) was quite and accomplishment. If the tests are now geared toward dogs more of his temperment than the others, so be it. They have to overcome their natural instincts to win, just the way he did in some of the earlier contests. It all works out in the end for those who last that long.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen
I do agree that the judging is subjective, but all judging is subjective. Not much different from the conformation ring really, where they have more easily identifiable criteria to consider.
I think Andrew is just too stinkin cute!!! He loves his mommy. Can't blame him for that! :D
Galaxy just doesn't look like she is enjoying anything. :(
Having had a velcro dog - although I think anyone could have lured Snoopy away from me if they offered food - I don't think Laurie is that great of a trainer. She has taught Andrew to completely rely on her - is that loyalty or obsessiveness. I would say Presley showed more loyalty than any of the dogs because even though he broke the rule, he came back to Travis when Travis told him too. Did you notice that LeRoy wanted nothing to do with Teresa after the challenge? He totally ignored her as he did with the dog bone challenge when she left him there forever on the stump. I saw Galaxy and Leroy as "obedient" dogs, Andrew as a obsessed dog ( maybe I am wroing and need to go back and look at some of the tapes but I don't think I have ever seen Andrew playing with any other dog or any other person than Laurie - is that what kind dog you would want to represent the Greatest American Dog?) and Travis as the only truly "loyal" dog which is what the challenge is all about. (I think Andrew sitting there with an elephant charging him proves that point - what small dog is going to let an animal that size come at him and sit and not even make a sound or look at his mother like do you see what the heck is happening here?) What Travis has been able to do with Presley as young as he is says alot. If the judges don't think he has the attention span to do these challenges than he never should have been given a chance - there should be an age clause. I don't know very many dogs as young as Presley is who would have come through as well as Presley has.
And I do have to say that the challenges have been ridiculous to show the greatest American dog. I still think Bill and Star should be in it as I see Star as being one of the most loyal, loving dog there is on the show. Star and Bill were a team. I have to agree with Karen - you cannot train all dogs by only a gentle reminder and I also know that some people seem more harsh with their dogs but that is in someone else's perception. I didn't really think that LeRoy looked like he was scared of what she would do if he disobeyed. Nor did I think that Galaxay looked scared but I also think that at 9 years old Galaxy already nows what will happen if he does or doesn't obey. I thought J.D came off looking gentler than in other challenges.
I have been thinking this all along, it is just that last night was really the most blatant example. I think the "get the puppies through the maze" was geared toward the herding types, for example. Presley did fine - zipped through the maze, but it probably never occurred to him to bring the puppies with him. And how was a dog like Andrew supposed to be able to "herd" things bigger than him? Duh - the two border collies did the best with that one. Surprise? No.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ginger's Mom
I still think it was funny that Andrew showed JD he couldn't train 'any' dog like he claimed he could. :D
I agree - I disagree with Karen. I feel that JD WAS threatening towards Galaxy BUT in a situation at a park - where that dog MAY be in danger if the dog takes off - YOU want that dog in that position.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ginger's Mom
That said - My dog SUCKS at a sit stay. She will not do it. If you ask her to stick to my leg like glue she's right there. She would have never sat in the circle for me to walk away from her to begin with!
more to say - but late for work!
I think this means we agree(?) Each test is geared toward a certain trait that some of the dogs may excel at and some do not. Therefore, each test is fundamentally "unfair" to a certain dog or dog in the competition. But if you get through the ones that you are not only expected to excel at but also the others, you have accomplished more than any other dog there. Whether that is, in fact, what qualifies as America's Greatest Dog is another debate for another time. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Karen
Yeah, another example of unfair - last night they did give Andrew a slightly smaller stump than the others, but none of the other dogs had a stump big enough to lie down on even if they wanted to!
One would think supposed "dog experts" would be smarter in setting up the challenges.
Andrew used to play with Elvis all the time before he left the show.
I think if his attachment to Laurie was obsessive he would become panicked when left without her. Sur ehe looked for her but he wasn't frantic or panicing. I'm willing to bet that when they are at home and she goes out that he doesn't search the house for her. He's in a new place and may not be totally comfortable there without her. I can understand that. He also didn't seem too concerned with finding Laurie when Teresa was snuggling him. I think Travis and JD just bored him LOL.
As for Loyalty... I think that is Presley all over. I think he is definitely the most LOYAL. He runs and plays and acts like a puppy but when his daddy calls him he can't wait to get to him. I loved Travis' line last night "this challenge is about loyalty. He sat on that stump for 20 minutes showing his loyalty to me... what about my loyalty to him" Loved that.
I agree - and I LOVED LOVED LOVED the how Presley leaned against Travis during the final moments of judging and Travis held him tenderly. It brought tears to my eyes.Quote:
Originally Posted by sparks19
I think JD's parting shot to Victoria really hit a nerve with her - you could see it on her face. She was peeved. Not sure it was warranted or not - his parting shot to her was very similiar to someone having to have the last word and proving themselves right. In some of the challenges I've seen JD handle himself better with Galaxy than others. There were times I wasn't even sure he cared for her but he was very attentive and sweet to her when she was hurt. Ask any of us whose dogs scream for us at the dog park or pine for us when we are on the outside of the fence about loyalty. Loyalty my dog has - obedience she does not. Which point in case - the reason we aren't on the show! :)
Just a reminder: Tonight is the finale!!!
Everyone root for your favorites!!!! :D
What? tonight?
I checked my guide just to make sure and it didn't list it. Tomorrow is wednesday. I hope I didn't miss it :(
It's scheduled for Wednesday according to my TV, I think she just a day ahead of herself!
Sorry everyone. I had a senior moment and got a day ahead like Karen said.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen
At least no one missed it! :D
We're VERY pleased with the results on this end! :love::love::love:
I knew there'd be a bouncy Boxer cheering Presley on at your place! :)
I hated the judging on this show and throughout, but am glad Presley won.
I was still rooting for Bill and Star, that they'd stage a come-from-behind surprise victory! ;)
I am sure Andrew is the perfect dog for Laurie and her husband, just didn't think he'd be a good spokesdog for the role.
I was very glad that Travis and Presley won too. What was said about him and Presley is true - they are a young "newlywed" couple but look at all the growing THEY both did during their time at the Dog House. Travis watched the others and learned from them. He listened to the judges when they told JD what they didn't like about the way he trained. He listened and watched Bill with Star and took what Bill said seriously. He watched some of the girls with their dogs and DIDN"T do what they did. While Andrew did an amazing job, I think Presley was what The Greatest American Dog was about. Both JD and Laurie are dog trainers. And while their dogs are pets also, they do training as a job and I don't think any dog that is a trainers should belong to a trainer. The greatest American dog should be just what Presley is a great pet who is willing to learn, and works hard at learning. I think Travis was the best owner because while he wanted Presley to learn he also wanted to make it fun - I think it is absolutely amazing that a 16 month old boxer did such an awesome job and he did it mostly because the loved and trusted Travis enough to do so.
I hated that Bill and Star didn't make it to the final two. I think the judges did very poorly - one week they told Bill he pushed Star too far and the next week he told him he didn't challenge him enough. Who could win under that kind of judging? Of all who were entered, I would not have been happy if it had not been either Bill and Star or Travis and Presley. Now I just hope Travis stays away from Laura and Preston. At first I liked Laura but then she started acting very contriving - I could see her trying to get to Travis to share in that $250,000 prize!
Oh, and I hope that if it goes for a second season, they find some different Judges, the guy wasn't too bad but I didn't like either of the women.
I was not surprised that Presley won. After all they had been showing him as the Greatest American Dog every time they opened the show. When they showed the dog leaping then turning into the outline of the dog on the logo, it was always Presley they showed. :D
I would not have minded which of the finale two won. Andrew has lots of courage to go right under that elephant the way he did. Andrew is more my kind of dog. I like my dogs like I like my men: loyal, loving and not easily distracted by other things. ;)
But Presley is more of the type for families and people on the go. Plus, who wouldn't love that face? :D
Exactly what I told my family last week. The whole show was pretty scripted and contrived from the beginning. But my hope is that it will have generated enough interest that they may actually have a real version of the show, with real dogs, contests, and judges.Quote:
Originally Posted by momoffuzzyfaces
In any case, I am glad to see that it played out so that Travis and Presley won. They would be the type of dog/owner I would want representing the way America views their dogs. :)
This made me LOL. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by momoffuzzyfaces
I was very pleased as well with Travis winning. Here is just some guy off the street that won. He could be any one of us.
Laurie and JD have more experience with dog training.
I must say as much as I loved Galaxy was as much as I didn't care for JD.
What an arrogant butthead!!! I was so glad he was NOT in the top 2. I wish that Galaxy COULD have been in the top 2 without him. And of course he had to get his parting shot in as he left like it mattered.
You could tell the look on his face in the reunion that he didn't want to be there. He could have given a twit less about it b/c he wasn't in the top 3.
I thought all the tears expressed for Travis and Presley were so sweet. Brandy obviously still has a crush on him, and I swear that I saw $$$$ flashing Laura's eyes at the end shot.
I just have to add that, every single time Travis and Presley were standing there, and the camera panned over to Presley just resting that smooshy face on Travis' hand, or arm, I went "Awwww! How could they NOT give him a prize!"
As I told Stace, "I think Travis and I could have beautiful boxers together." :D
('Course only 2 of the 3 would be obedient. Poor Maggie Moo, obedience just isn't her thing!)
Did you notice how JD said he couldn't believe HE didn't win: not Galaxy win but him!!! What a jerk!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by shais_mom
oh yea I noticed that -Quote:
Originally Posted by momoffuzzyfaces
and thought the same thing!