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'Greatest American Dog': Loyalty shmoyalty
Tonight's Greatest American Dog started late and I missed the last few minutes of it. Bleh. "Thanks Republican Convention," she says sarcastically.
Spoilers below
Bummed after Bill & Star's exit, the remaining contestants return to the house with a melancholy cloud overhead. JD enters carrying Galaxy so she doesn't aggravate her injury and lays her down on a cushion so she can rest. JD confessionals that he'd never risk hurting her, not even from $10 million. He tells the other contestants that if it's serious, he'll drop out of the competition. Laurie admits that they are Andrew's biggest competition but wouldn't want them to have to leave based on injury.
The next morning, Galaxy's got a spring in her step much to JD's delight but he takes her to the vet anyway. After some x-rays and a check-up, the vet gives her a green light to come back to the competition. Yay!
Dog Bone Challenge: Host/Animal Expert Jarod Miller announces that the theme this week is loyalty. Random aside: I heart Jarod. His appearances on -Conan O'Brian are high-larious. Anyhoo, the challenge will have both owner and dog on tree stumps either sitting or standing. Last team remaining wins.
While the others are talking and holding their fingers and hand up, Laurie just stands with her arms crossed in a relaxed manner. It worked mostly but Andrew decided to lay down after nearly two minutes, which Laurie expected since the sitting position isn't very comfortable for the little guy. Galaxy lasts almost 3 minutes leaving. After about 15 minutes, Travis can see how uncomfortably Presley was and didn't want to make him endure the challenge much longer. He offers to split the leg-up with Teresa but she doesn't bite. The clock almost reaches 18 minutes when Travis decides to call Presley off the log. He confessionals that he didn't like seeing his companion like that and wanted to show Presley the same loyalty he was exhibiting.
This unfortunately makes Teresa & Leroy the winners. I say unfortunately because there's something very "shrew" about her to me. What's funny is, after she's declared the winner and she releases Leroy, she's all happy "come see mama" and whatnot and Leroy goes straight to Jarod. Ha! She says that's she's really proud of her dog and his competitive nature while Travis doesn't regret his decision, only that he didn't drop out of a challenge Presley wasn't having fun at sooner.
Instead of just getting a card, Teresa gets to video chat with her boyfriend as a prize. I didn't find her sequence as touching as Laurie's card reading last week. The next day, everyone is having fun by the pool until Leroy runs a bit amok. Teresa explains that since he can't herd sheep, he herds waves around the pool. JD doesn't find it so cool that she didn't try to reign him in.
Best in Show: Later, Jarod introduces the first aspect of the elimination challenge. They'll be training each others' dogs instead of their own for an hour. Teresa's leg-up is a note that explains the exact details of the challenge: the dog will be in the center of a semi-circle (owner several feet away) while each of the other contestants will try and lure them away and break their sit/stay. Teresa practices distracting him, essentially over-training him so the challenge is harder than the practice. We'll see if that works. By the way, her harsh "ah-ah" to deter him from doing something is all kinds of annoying. The general method used by the contestants to bond with the dogs is just petting and playing when applicable. JD was excelling with Leroy, getting him to do all kinds of tricks. Andrew wasn't really digging anyone. He just kept running to the backdoor and wouldn't come when anyone would call - he even managed to escape outside to Laurie during JD's hour.
That night, the teams assemble in front of the judges and Jarod explains the challenge. They'll be judged on owner's use of commands, the dog's focus, and the dog's overall loyalty. Laurie & Andrew are up first. Andrew looks as the others call his name but is less than interested, yawning several times and laying down at the end. He didn't budge. Teresa & Leroy are next. JD gets him to move immediately and Travis gets him a few times, as does Laurie. He also barks throughout and, after he's done, goes over to the plate of treats. The judges look slightly disgusted. Next are JD & Galaxy. Interestingly, they all used much softer, less excited voices with her. She started to stand slightly with Teresa's lure of treats but sat right back down when JD told her to. Last is Travis & Presley, the human half of which is concerned since he's still a puppy. And rightly so because JD manages to get him to come almost as soon as he started (which was last). Teresa and Laurie managed to make him move as well. But Travis wasn't cross with Presley after despite being disappointed which I'm sure impressed the judges.
Afterward, judge Victoria says that the challenge wasn't so much about obedience but about loyalty, about their relationship. She commends Laurie on the way she handled Andrew, with a relaxed body and a simple command or praise here or there. Wendy is slightly concerned that Andrew might be too attached. Allan and Victoria both condemns Teresa & Leroy - Victoria didn't like how threatening Teresa manner was and Allan thought Leroy was entirely too frantic. Victoria didn't like JD's much too strong body language with Galaxy but did compliment Travis on how he was able to refocus Presley despite being tempted away. When the judges deliberate, they aren't exactly in agreement but have come to a decision.
Not surprisingly, Laurie & Andrew are the winners. Wendy gives her a standing invitation to have dinner with her dog Lucky if he's ever in New York. The final three teams all take the podiums. Allan tells JD that he thought Galaxy's performance was robotic and lacked feeling. That doesn't actually make sense to me because her behavior wasn't that different from Andrew's. Anyway, it just doesn't matter because Teresa & Leroy have been eliminated. I'd tell you exactly what the judges said but the ending got cut off. I can't say I'm surprised and, since Travis didn't want Presley to suffer on that stump, I'm perfectly okay with the decision.
Do you think Travis & Presley should have been eliminated instead? Is Andrew a little too dedicated to Laurie? Any other thoughts about tonight?
There is no such thing as a dog being "too dedicated" to his owner. I can't even believe people are questioning the devotion of a dog. That is what a well trained dog who is your partner is supposed to do. A police dog or service dog would do the same thing. They are trained to follow the commands of and respect one handler only. It is a safety issue. At least Laurie would never have to worry about anyone trying to steal him!
Cami | Sep 3, 2008 11:36:42 PM | #I don't believe it is so much dedication that Andrew has for Laurie as FIXATION. He doesn't enjoy anything else except being near her and that's definitely not a balanced and happy dog.
Jen | Sep 4, 2008 5:23:40 AM | #I agree with Tamara about the comment on Galaxy's performance not making sense. She's well-trained and well-loved. I continue to heart Travis and Presley. The kid is just so "real."
Alia | Sep 4, 2008 6:40:42 AM | #Andrew is striking me more of being a dunderhead than an obedient/loyal dog. The dog was yawning while it was being "tempted."
What gets me is that a maltese is a toy dog that is bred for companionship. The other breeds that are left all have a higher energy level to play, run, etc., than Laurie's dog. To compare the breeds in this Loyalty competition is simply ridiculous. And those judges' comments were idiotic.
Cynic | Sep 4, 2008 7:28:27 AM | #I don't know how someone's dog can lose a competition to the eliminated dog and still stay in the competition. I really adore the connection with Travis and Presley, but I totally think that they should have been the ones eliminated. I don't understand this competition at all. Why bother putting them through these "contests" if the results are meaningless?
Anyhow, it was interesting to see how the contestants related to each other's dogs, but it seemed like kind of a lame episode to me.
Missing Bill and Star enormously.
Cynic | Sep 4, 2008 8:29:30 AM | #SOOOOOOOOO glad Teresa's gone. Dont like the way she works her dog, at all!! Andrew very cute but lets hope he doesnt outlive Laurie.
He's obsessed..which is sweet but if something happened to her ????? dogs do mourn their owners, dont they? sometimes? think JD & Galaxy will win, but still pulling for Travis& Presley cause they're both SO DAMN CUTE!! especially Travis!
I am happy Teresa lost. Her constant hollering at Leroy was obnoxious. That poor dog had all the fun personality traits suppressed by fear of her. It was clear he was fearfull of her wrath, not 'loyal', while staying in the circle.
The judges had said a lot of dumb things thus far in the show. But the comment yesterday, that JD was threatening Galaxy with his posture really takes the cake for idiocy. (I'm amazed they did not comment on his facial expression - he, he. MORONS!). It is so obvious that he adores Galaxy and treats her like a family member, but just because he was smart enough to train her to the highest degree among all the contestants does not mean he'd done it by threatening means.
As for Laurie and Andrew - what he exhibited had noting to do with LOYALTY. It was pure attachment to her, mixed with obsession and co-dependence. It is clear in this case too, that Laurie bread any personality out of him. He does not anjoy other dogs, other people or even toys. All he enjoys is her. That is past the point of being creepy. There is obedience, there is loyalty, an then a long way past, there is psycho fixation. Poor Andrew - I feel sorry for him, because his life must really be sad at those times when Laurie is not with him.
Lets be honest - this episode had nothing to do with Loyalty. It was a demonstration of obedience and nothing else (excpet of course for Laurie and Andrew's case).
Final thought - there is no way JD and Galaxy will win. The judges hate him too much to allow that to happen. It will be very unfair, because Galaxy really seems like the most well-rounded dog in the competition, from the beginning (sorry Bill and Star - loved you, but think Galaxy is more qualified for the title). And Andrew does not deserve it at all - all he does is follow Laurie around, he does not want to learn new tricks, he is not happy or enthusiastic, even when he is with her. He looks to me like I'd imaine a dog on Prozac to behave. That leaves Travis and Presley - they are both adorable, and considering Presley's puppy age, he seems to have the makings of a great dog, if Trais continues on with his training and adds some discipline to the love. Every dog needs to have discipline - that's what provides structure in their lives. (That's why Galaxy is so great).
This was, by far, the greatest disregard for rules involving an elimination challenge. I'm disgusted that I ever started watching this stupid show. 3 working dogs that love to fetch, catch, herd and play vs. a maltese who hates to. Andrew lying down at the end of BOTH challenges proves it had nothing to do with loyalty or focus, but everything to do with laziness and boredom.
Eliminating a dog that completed the challenge was total b.s. And scolding JD for training techniques was rude, irresponsible and unprofessional.
When I realized the end of the show would eat into the start of Project Runway, I set my VCR to tape the end of it. [Yes, I still own an old-fashioned VCR!] The judges were split on the elimination; two to one. I thought Travis & Presley would be eliminated, too, but (frankly) was glad they weren't, for all the reasons stated by others, above.
Of the competitors left, JD & Galaxy certainly seem like they SHOULD win, but who knows?
I have been very disappointed in Victoria's comments about Galaxy. Galaxy is a well-trained dog and has consistently obeyed all commands. I am beginning to think that the judges are being very subjective and are not going to recognize this great dog.
I will not watch Victoria Stillwells show ever again. She comes across as being jealous of someone who is able to train dogs possibly even better than her. I think she stinks.
hjones | Sep 4, 2008 12:42:04 PM | #Bill and Star...i mean comeone....these judges stink and Bill and Star should still be there is not be the winners.
rachel | Sep 4, 2008 2:14:58 PM | #that Teresa girl was just barking orders to her dog, saying no this, no that , never lie down and if you lie down, I'll bark some more so I guess that's why her dog won the competition.
blaher | Sep 4, 2008 8:26:14 PM | #Thank you so much for this re-cap. I dvr'ed 15 minutes into CSI because of that silly convention-back patting and self accolades for longer than necessary-but my dvr went haywire and only let me delete(not watch)this show. Which by the way is all kinds of good.
david s | Sep 5, 2008 11:39:02 AM | #The title of this show, is "The Greatest American Dog". NOT, "The Greatest American Trainer"!!! That said, Galaxy is BY FAR the one to beat. She is amazing, and the finale should be a no brainer, but with Victoria as the head judge, I'm very nervous for Galaxy.
Victoria has it in for J.D. and I find that to be a real shame. He is a wonderful trainer and his dog is proof of that. Galaxy loves him to death. You can tell by her "LOYALTY" to him, and the way she was kissing him in the last show.
Victoria needs to get off her high horse, and realize that she is not the world's best trainer. She makes me sick, and she clearly has her favorites. She is a snob, and if you don't train her way, she does not like you. Look at what poor J.D. is going through.
Galaxy has proven herself time and time again! The other dogs cannot compare to her!! I PRAY that Galaxy and J.D. win, because they are the most deserving team, and Galaxy should be labeled, "The Greatest American Dog" GO GALAXY!!!!!
TOTALLY agree with everything that Liz had to say...
I have to agree TOTALLY with what polk8dot said about all the competitors. Galaxy is definately the best trained and Prestly is going to be if Travis continues the way he's going. He's had great progress since the start of the show. If there was a prize for most improved, Prestly would win paws down. Great work Travis.
Cheryl | Sep 5, 2008 5:13:47 PM | #Andrew has far and away out-performed every dog.
JD's training style has that dog beaten down with fear whereas Andrew obeys out of love.
Same way with raising your kids. What's better?
That your kids obey you because they fear what you might do to them? (i.e. JD)
Of that they behave because they love you and would never want to disappoint you? (i.e. Laurie)
Buffy | Sep 5, 2008 9:37:29 PM | #Game over. (It was over when Bill & Star left)
I LOVE Travis & Presley, but Presley is young & untrained.
Gotta love their enthusiam, though!
Andrew? Seriously? That dog has no personality, no mind of its own, and maybe not too much in the intelligence dep't. He's just a lump - no fun, no interests. A pillow would do almost as much.
That leaves JD and Galaxy as the winners, and I'm FINE with that (since Bill & Star can't win). They have a wonderful relationship & friendship. They both have great personalities. Galaxy does not fear JD - what nonsense! Respect, yes, fear, no. They're too close for fear.
The judges have a real problem.
I miss Bill and Star they were wonderful, and the judges were very wrong when they they voted them off. But I did agree with them this week, I did not like the way she treated her dog I felt sorry for him.
Darlene | Sep 6, 2008 10:08:37 PM | #Why do the judges figure Andrew is devoted out of love and Galaxy out of fear. They say Galaxy has no personality. But Andrew does?? I love Presley and Travis, but Galaxy is an older dog and much calmer and is the BEST trained. She adores J.D. Please Andrew can't be found GREATEST AMERICAN DOG
DOG MOM | Sep 8, 2008 5:19:47 AM | #Andrew has performed far beyond any expectations they could have had. He's outperformed every dog and is the most obedient dog that there's ever been. And Devoted.
Naming anybody else besides Andrew as America's Greatest Dog would void this show of any credibility that it has.
John | Sep 9, 2008 9:47:26 AM | #Andrew has performed beyond expectations because expectations for him are set so low. It seems like they are amazed if he manages to do anything. He performed exactly the same as Bill and Star in the challenge that eliminated them, yet got nothing but praise.
And his "loyalty" is obsession, and a total inability to relate normally to anyone or anything besides Laurie.
The judges' criticisms of JD and Galaxy were moronic, and just showed that they were LOOKING for some way to criticize what is obviously the best pair in the show. "Lacked spontaneity"? What the heck kind of "spontaneity" are you supposed to exhibit in holding a stay command? And how, pray tell, did their favorite, Andrew, exhibit it? By yawning? Please.
And "very threatening"? Apparently using your hands is some kind of taboo, because that was the only real difference between JD and Laurie that I could see. She looked, with her crossed arms and extremely stern expression, at LEAST as mad at her dog as anybody else did. I say, you have to look at the DOG. Don't call the owner threatening unless the dog looks at ALL threatened, which Galaxy did not. (Leroy DID, and OFTEN does, so I was glad they were eliminated.)
Josh | Sep 10, 2008 5:39:51 AM | #Just felt I had to add, that in MY view, NAMING Andrew America's Greatest Dog will void this show of any credibility it has...
Josh | Sep 10, 2008 5:41:13 AM | #I watched the show tonight 9/10 and thought both dogs did a great job. Presley is young and still learning,Andrew is so little and not scared of that BIG elephant. I think I would have been. I think it would have been nice if there could have been 1st and 2nd place. They both did a outstanding job!
Debbie | Sep 10, 2008 6:42:14 PM | #How a show like this is even on TV is beyond me. This is stupidest thing ever the displayed since the remake of 90210. But why not? Give money to people for having smart dogs while the world economy is in recession.
t | Mar 1, 2009 7:49:17 PM | #
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