‘Greatest American Dog,’ you are dead to me now
By Christie Keith
August 29, 2008
I wish I were coming here to say that I’m no longer watching “Greatest American Dog” because they sent home the team I was rooting for, Bill and Star. Unfortunately, although they did, that’s not the reason.
On this week’s episode, recapped as always by the snarky Shari Brodsky over at DogHobbyist.com, the dogs had to face what were termed “courage” challenges.
Now, I have nothing against brave-hearted dogs. I have nothing against dogs doing stunts, either. But I’m not a big fan of having dogs do things that they’re not appropriately trained to do, particularly when those are things that are not even remotely normal canine behavior nor anything your average dog owner — or even above-average dog owner — should ever try.
Like, you know, sitting calmly while an elephant stampedes you, or jumping off a platform 35 feet in the air, both of which happened on this week’s episode.
Let me make this absolutely clear: I have no problem with dogs being trained to do this kind of work. My problem is untrained dogs doing it, on national television, with absolutely no commentary from anyone about not expecting their dogs to do anything like this — especially that “jumping off a 35-foot-high platform” thing.
I know the Amerian Humane Association’s Film and Television Unit monitored some of the challenges on GAD, so I checked their site to see if they’d been there for this one. They had. So I contacted them to find out if I’d missed something. Turns out we’d all missed something — or rather, that “reality TV” isn’t particularly “real” after all:
American Humane Certified Animal Safety Representatives™ were present during the taping of both of these challenges and concur that neither harm nor injury came to the animals while actual taping was taking place. However, as a reality show that does not operate under the Screen Actors Guild contract, the production chose not to include American Humane in all aspects of the production process and, as a result, American Humane is unable to speak to a number of show components.
It is important for the public to understand that, as is the case with the vast majority of reality entertainment, those television shows are specifically edited for dramatic effect, and America’s Greatest Dog follows that practice. We would like to make the public aware of the prevailing facts concerning the actual activities the dogs performed and the perception of danger promoted by the producers during the Aug. 27 episode:
The Elephant Challenge
The dogs had acclimation time with the elephant prior to the challenge. The elephant used for this scene was an older elephant that moved gently and slowly, and many of the scenes indicating the elephant moving at a faster speed were filmed separately, after the dogs had left the location, and were edited into the final program. All elephant trumpeting sounds were also edited into the final program, as the elephant never vocalized during the taping. None of the dogs were aggressive in any manner, all had received obedience training and, at all times, the dogs had the full ability to “break” and go to their owners, who were positioned just a few feet away between the two animals and closest to the dog.
The Stunt Challenge
Appropriate American Humane Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media were in place and in effect during all instances in which an American Humane Safety Representative was present. However, the editing of the show for dramatic effect gave a false impression of the amount of conditioning the dogs received prior to the zip line stunt challenge.
[....]
During the prep, even dogs that did not jump during the taping did so during the prep and did not appear to be stressed. The dramatic introduction that gave the impression that the contestants and the dogs were experiencing this stunt equipment for the first time was not an accurate representation of the preparation that did occur. At no time were the animals forced to do anything they did not want to do.
AHA has a lot of other great information about GAD and about animals working in the film and television industry over here.
I wrote about an earlier controversial incident on GAD over on SFGate.com, and have an interview with judge Victoria Stilwell here on Pet Connection.
As for this challenge, I’m glad for the sake of the dogs things weren’t what they appeared. I’m glad that the dogs had been acclimated to the elephant and been trained to take their long leaps.
I’m sorry, though, that the potential this show had to present truly great human-dog working relationships in ways that actually showed the amazing things they can accomplish together, things that might have been both inspirational and educational as well as entertaining, has been wasted.
sorry AHA: can you say “cover your a**?”
There is NO WAY on god’s green earth that that stunt with the elephant is appropriate or safe. It’s not even proper for an elephant to be used in such inappropriate .. and yes, dangerous.. ways.
I don’t care HOW old that elephant is.. they are enormous animals with their own minds. Something could easily have happened to hurt a dog.. or the elephant.. or the handlers.
Comment by EmilyS — August 29, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
Zoo handlers will tell you that elephants are actually considered one of the most dangerous animals to work around due to their unpredictable and often volatile natures.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — August 29, 2008 @ 5:02 pm
Greatest American Suckage. I KNEW I hated this stupid show for a reason. And hey, I wanted to like it, too — it had potential to be a great show, about a topic we all love.
But let’s face it — these shows are pandering to the lowest common denominator, and excelling at doing so. They lost me with the cheesy fake emotional ‘phone calls’. Ugh.
I apologize for ever insinuating you gave it a thumbs up, btw ;)
Comment by Carol — August 29, 2008 @ 5:38 pm
Good to know! I was absoluetely FURRIOUS over the irresponsible challenges they performed on the show. The danger, the stupid and the irresponsible! I had lost respect for the judges for allowing it to go on and not even batting an eye. This is why I HATE (un)reality TV!
Comment by Saint Lover — August 29, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
The stupid things that these TV shows do, just to get people to watch!
It’s equally ridiculous that the dog’s owners submit their pets to these situations.
Comment by Marcy — August 30, 2008 @ 1:23 am
I’m glad to hear the dogs had acclimation time, but I’m still incredibly upset over this particular show. I think the elephant challenge was ridiculous - acclimation time or not. It was dangerous for the dogs, people, and elephant involved. I’m also upset about the comments made during judging.
No, Star and Andrew did not do the final stunt, but their owners recognized the dogs’ obvious distress signals and decided to call them off of doing the stunt. I feel that was an appropriate and laudable decision. It really highlights the bond between an owner and a dog when the owner can recognize the dog’s distress and say “No - I need to pull my dog out of this situation.” For Victoria Stilwell who, a week prior, had criticized Bill for pushing Star too much to then criticize him for recognizing his dog’s distress is ridiculous. Same for Andrew. I’m hoping there was some creative editing involved there and that she did make some comment to the effect of “Your dogs didn’t complete the challenge, so we can’t give you points for it, but nice job recognizing how stressed they were.”
Comment by Tara — August 30, 2008 @ 6:28 am
So if Galaxy was not hurt during any of the stunts, when/how did she get hurt, why wasn’t she taken to the vet, and why oh why are they using her obvious pain as a teaser to get people watch next week?
Comment by Dutch — August 30, 2008 @ 6:53 am
Dutch, I had forgotten about that! Galaxy was limping and, instead of pulling in a vet, they brought in someone labeled as something like “senior dog trainer” or “animal handler” or something of that nature. Ugh.
Comment by Tara — August 30, 2008 @ 7:08 am
The judging on this show makes no sense; it’s too subjective. It doesn’t seem as if the contestants know what they have to do to win. The judges’ comments are either mean and unhelpful or overly good, without really explaining anything. Overall, a really stupid show. I agree with Carol that the show had potential to be a really good show, a show about dog training, but it’s really just a vehicle for the judges to preen. They don’t seem to know much about dog training.
Comment by Judy — August 30, 2008 @ 8:13 am
Comment by Judy — August 30, 2008 @ 8:13 am
“The judging on this show makes no sense; it’s too subjective. It doesn’t seem as if the contestants know what they have to do to win.”
I’ve only watched part of one episode this show; however, the statement above could apply to pretty much most reality shows that I’ve ever watched or heard about.
Truly “entertainment” brought to its lowest common denominator.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — August 30, 2008 @ 8:59 am
I’ve not watched one millisecond of this crap. Even if I wasn’t buried in home projects and work - I do not think I’d waste time on it.
But I am glad that a few other brave souls are sucking it up and watching to inform the rest of us about the trash that GAD is pitching.
What really worries me about the show is the strong possibility that morons with a ‘jackass’ mentality will decide to try these stunts with their own dogs — because it looks sooo kewl. And hey - they can flim it and post it on the intertubes - and be famous.
[…shuddering….]
Comment by Janeen — August 30, 2008 @ 10:05 am
I didn’t watch the show this week or last. Now I’m really,really glad I didn’t. It only goes to show what lengths the “reality TV” will go to -to hype an audience and get an audience. Obviously they have no respect for animals or humans. I wonder what they would have done if the most unpredictable animal in the world - an elephant; had trampled a dog or human?? And, what happens now when kids think it’s okay to have their pets jump off 35 foot high ledges or sit in the middle of a street while a car goes by…
I wanted to like this show, I wanted them to promote pet ownership and responsibility. I wanted them to show how pets enrich our lives.
Katie
Comment by Katie — August 30, 2008 @ 10:16 am
I watched this episode wondering what on earth were the judges thinking. I don’t care how much time those dogs spent getting to know an elephant , it was dangerous. I love how much the owners care for their dogs but to go up against an elephant? No way. I have two shittzues that would have been scared for life. I like the show and the dogs but I hope they really think these challenges through if they are renewed for next year. Michale
Comment by Michale — August 30, 2008 @ 10:32 am
If they renew this freak show, maybe they could change the format to focus on one or more Great American Dogs each week. Like the dogs who work herding livestock (I could watch that all day), or are lowered from helicopters with the SWAT team, or search through the wreckage for survivors, or can tell you where a body is under the water, or can track a missing child for miles even if that child is kidnapped in a car, or the fighting dog from the infamous kennel that became a Therapy Dog… I have more if they need help with story ideas.
Comment by Dutch — August 30, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
Dutch, the first time I heard the title of this show, that’s the sort of thing I was thinking it was going to be. What a disappointment to see what it turned out to be instead.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — August 30, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
Thank you Christie for bringing out the truth. I don’t care how many representatives were there, it was a stupid thing to ask either animal to do. Its one thing to send a cattle dog or a border collie after an errant steer and ask the dog to down while it goes past: the dog has the instinct and the training and judgment to do it. To ask a little pet dog to sit there while a huge animal lumbers toward it is just plain stupid, and encourages stupid pet tricks that get animals hurt unnecessarily.
Comment by Julia Priest — August 31, 2008 @ 8:01 am
I don’t think that the elephant challenge should have been included AT ALL. Although, I am happy that they tried to minimize the risk. But still.
Comment by Cookie — August 31, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
I think that they wouldn’t had allowed the elephant there if it was dangerous.
I haven’t watched the show but its just trying to make ratings.
I just happy that the animals weren’t harmed.
Comment by rachael m — August 31, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
I defended the show in an earlier post, but this particular episode just had me shaking my head, and not JUST because Bill and Star got sent home. (I cried over them instead.)
I could not BELIEVE they brought an elephant out to those dogs. And I’m glad the dogs/handlers had a little more time to acclimate to the equipment, but again, I couldn’t believe they were asking these dogs to do really serious stuff like that. I don’t care how many harnesses the contestants wore. It was dangerous.
I just hope Galaxy is ok.
Comment by Janice in GA — August 31, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
I am disappointed that the owners who didn’t subject their dog to stressful activities, weren’t applauded for their insight. I think the judges are smarmy, especially the one with the rescue dog she uses as an accessory. The stunts border on too dangerous, and unless the show decides to showcase dogs using their instincts in reality situations, not reality-tv situations, it has done a huge disservice.
Comment by Linda in GA — September 1, 2008 @ 4:51 am
This show has become a big disappointment to me. I love Victoria Stillwell and I think she is a very good, gifted positive trainer. She sure lowered herself for a buck by being on this show though.
Comment by Sheila — September 1, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Why on earth would anyone for a nanosecond ever have believed that a show like this would have been anything other than what it has turned out to be, a staged rip-off, no different than any of the other reality shows, except with the addition of dogs?
What possible reason was there think that because it involved dogs that somehow something different, special and “educational” would be going on. On American network TV? Please.
Wake up, people. Even taking the time to post all these sincere, well-thought out comments gives the show more legitimacy than it deserves.
Comment by Susan Fox — September 2, 2008 @ 3:41 am
Not only were the stunts ridiculous and dangerous (even with the extra time to acclimate) but personally I don’t find a dog that will sit still while an elephant charges it’s owner’s back as brave and I’m not sure why the creators of the show would either. A dog willing to do that is lacking in guardian instinct and is in no way brave… more like obedient to a fault which would border on lack of intelligence. Then again I own a herding breed with guardian instincts so maybe other breeds are deemed brave if they can just sit there.
Comment by Kat G — September 2, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Susan, I have no experience with this kind of show. I watched because it had dogs on it. I didn’t even know it was a reality TV show until I saw the first episode.
I have recapped Design Star and Project Runway for AfterElton.com (I’m a contributing writer for them as well), but I’ve been told by those more TV-savvy than I that they’re true “meritocracies,” and not at all typical of reality television. But those two, plus GAD, are the only examples I have of the genre.
I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in that. I think lots of dog people tuned in because there were dogs involved, who don’t otherwise watch this kind of television.
Comment by Christie Keith — September 2, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
The show, which had potential at first, by doing normal doggy things, has really gone to pandering the lowest common denominator of American viewership. And after last week’s episode, I’m very concerned about what message the show, and all these so called “expert” judges are sending to the average dog owners community.
Bill who use good judgement by choosing a ramp level appropriate to Star’s age (Star isn’t a youngster from the look of her) was penalized while Galalxy (age 9) was rewarded for over doing it so much so that she became lame. From the angle they showed, it appeared there was a lot of strenuous shoulder muscle activity in that climb. These are not conditioned athletic dogs, they are pets. Also, to echo another person’s comments, the owners who are concerned about their dog’s stress level are penalized. Asking dogs to do a death leap is not about courage, it’s about poor judgement and TV ratings.
Again, what message is this show now sending out to America’s dog owners? Shame on CBS for letting this episode air. Personally, I’m glad Star is out of it, this way at least we know she is safe and I applaud Bill on his judgement. A best friend is worth a lot more than the prize money of this show.
Comment by Rebecca Walters — September 2, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
The show is set-up! Does no one realize that the stunts or “elimination challenges” seem to be created each week to get rid of who they want to get rid of? I wasn’t crazy about Teresa, the owner of Leroy, but come on, the dog was GREAT! They reward a dog who is so stuck to it’s owner that will not do anything but stand at a door when she is not around.
As for Bill and Star, this is what really upset me. They knew the dog was tired and older—so what did they do—make challenges so Star couldn’t complete them. But they praise Laurie for Andrew and punish Bill — who just the week before was fussed at because he pushed his dog. The man and the dog couldn’t win—no matter what they did. It’s a set-up.
You know they wanted to keep Laurie and Andrew, so they made a challenge they knew this dog would win.
I liked Preston, but they sent him home because his owner “didn’t create a great painting”. What does that have to do with a dog.
Watch—I really think they want Travis and Pressley to win—after all that is the dog they show in the commerical jumping through the title is it not? I like Pressley, but he is in no way as great a dog as Galazy, Preston and Star.
The show is a set up and I too am not watching any more. In addition, I am not longer watching “It’s me or my dog, because I think Victoria Stilwell is full of #$%^&*. I think that Wendy Diamond seems to be fair and Allan Reznik goes with the wind.
Comment by Ann — September 4, 2008 @ 9:46 am
The show is rigged! I agree with Ann’s comments; they treated Starr wrong. I have never seen anyone love a dog as much as Bill did that dog and that dog was sooo goood. I know they said he was an older dog; but I don’t remember his age,isn’t Galazy 9 years old? As for Preston, his owner was kind of silly, but the dog was smart.
Why did they pick Pressley this week? I think the dog is cute; but the dog didn’t pass the challenge; isn’t that why they let Starr go? Give me a break! This show is rigged!
Comment by Jim — September 4, 2008 @ 9:56 am
There is absolutely NO WAY I would make my dog sit there with an elephant coming up. That’s insane! I don’t care how old it was—they are wild animals and it would just take one swipe of a trunk to have a tragedy. If anything this episode doesn’t prove loyalty or bravery, it proved which dogs were the stupidest. These are not trained circus dogs. No dog with any sense is going to jump off on a zip line into mid-air. They certainly could have found more reasonable, real-life challenge.
And then they get rid of Bill and Starr because he didn’t “challenge” his dog. Yet the other week they complained that he was “pushing” Starr too much. Starr has more common sense than all 3 judges put together. I’ve had it with Stilwell after her staged catfight over Cesar Milan’s name being mentioned the other week. You can bet he wouldn’t be caught doing a stupid show like this.
I feel especially bad for Bill—he must have felt like a fish out of water with these kooks. I hope he got some monies out of this so he can help his diabetic wife. :-(
Comment by Cheryl — September 6, 2008 @ 2:37 am
I haven’t watched GAD but last night stumbled upon Dogtown showing a group of the Michael Vick dogs that was refreshing. Anyone else catch it?
Comment by Shannon Watts — September 6, 2008 @ 10:24 am
Who on earth comes up with these challenges? Any dog owner that cares anything about their dog would not do something so stupid as to put their loving companion to such a test just to win a challenge. The people who decided to test (stress) these canines to their limit by using an elephant (which most of these dogs have probably NEVER in their life seen) should have to swim in shark infested waters with “trained” sharks and see how they like it! I have been training dogs for many years and this is by far the dumbest stunt I have ever seen. Wonder what the dogs did that night…..Shame on the producers and judges of this show…I certainly will no longer watch such a spectacle. It does prove one thing however….that dogs have an unconditional love, trust and loyalty to their human companions.
Comment by Terre Hall — September 6, 2008 @ 1:47 pm