ClayPaws® Connection

My pick has left.

I caught the Greatest American Dog this week online as I was watching political speeches the night it aired.

This week was about being fearless! The first challenge was for each dog to obey its owner while sitting in a circle with an elephant coming at it. Only two dogs finished this one successfully! Little Andrew and Presley managed it. Then they had a face-off. The elephant actually ran at them this time. Andrew sat still as a stone. Presley did good until the very end!

The next challenge put the dogs (and owners) on a high rig where they had to run up a steep incline, across a balance beam, and then down a zip line!! That was crazy - I would have had a hard time with it. I am amazed actually that any of the dogs would jump! Andrew and Star wouldn't jump. Laurie and Bill didn't force the issue for very long before calling it quits. Travis was placed in the bottom three with Laurie and Bill because Presley was too exuberant during the challenge.

I'm sad, but I wasn't surprised on the outcome this week. Bill and Star were sent home. I'm sad to see them go - they were my favorite team from the beginning. The field has narrowed though, so it will get tough to see teams go home from here on out! Galaxy appears to have an injury, although we didn't see what might have caused it. I sure hope she is doing OK! Who do you think will be next to go?

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Greatest American Dog Catch-up

Yep, I am still watching America's Greatest Dog. I missed posting last week, but I have seen the episodes from then and from this week as well. (I caught them online as I've been caught up in watching the Olympics!)

Last week we saw Laura and Preston go home. I'm not sure what was up with Laura on the episode. She had some real issues with the art-making process. I'm sure there was more going on than was shown. Preston didn't do really well with what she asked him to do, and she was pressed for time. Her art wasn't good at all.

I also really thought it was bad form of her to call out Beth Joy on making Bella yelp. I think that Beth Joy was being honest (my opinion) when she said that Bella has feet issues. Travis defended Beth Joy, and rightfully so. She wouldn't do anything to hurt her dog. If anything, she is too over-protective!

This week, the dogs were asked to "rescue" their owners. Two of the three teams did really well. Bella Starlet was put in the wrong role, if you ask me. Beth Joy and Theresa were teamed up. They had Leroy ring the bell, and Bella try to dig to let Beth Joy out of the box. Bella just stood and barked, which is exactly what I thought she might do.

The dogs also had to run a maze to get to their owners. The catch was that they had to get three golden retriever puppies to come with them through the maze. Leroy was amazing on this one! The pups just absolutely followed him and Theresa did so well in calling him. Star was having no part of this. She didn't want anything to do with the puppies. Bill was chastised by the judges for pushing her too hard. I appreciate his response to them, even when criticized. He takes it and moves on, but doesn't get up in their faces like some of the other humans!

In the end, it was Beth Joy and Bella Starlet who left this week. I think it was time for them. Beth Joy was showing the signs of stress, and it was obviously effecting Bella as well. She was snappy, and nipping at people this week. I hope they have gotten some relaxation post-show!

Who are you rooting for as this comes closer to an end? I'm still on team Bill and Star. I also really like the relationship with Travis and Presley!

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The comedian leaves

So, CBS changed the schedule of Greatest American Dog, and because I don't watch much TV, I didn't know! It is now on Wednesday night instead of Thursday! I missed it - but luckily they do put full episodes online, so I was able to watch it last night.

The first challenge was entertaining to watch. I thought that the humans would do better at predicting whether their dog would "take it" or "leave it". Tillman never does what Ron thinks he will! He went out on the first round by NOT taking a piece of steak! I thought that was a no-brainer, as did Ron! I also loved it when Bill said something to the effect of "you've never chewed on a stick in your life" to Star when she took the stick and he had predicted she'd leave it. She seemed to be enjoying gnawing on it too! :)

The photo shoot challenge was actually really fun too. I thought some of the humans put a lot more effort in than others, but that is typical. I get really frustrated watching both Theresa and Brandy with their dogs. I thought the choice on the part of the show to include the word "ANGRY" was a bad one. It is so negative, and it is hard to convey without really irritating your dog. I didn't like that. I thought Theresa didn't handle it well at all, and that in spite of her "good" picture, she should have been the one to go home. Poor Leroy! He had NO idea what was going on and why was he getting sprayed with grapefruit juice and having his snout banded! Sheesh!

But, in the end, the comedian of the show went home. Tillman. I will miss him - he always did something (like farting in the swimming pool) that made me laugh. I think his human, Ron, took for granted that the word "lazy" would be easy for them and his shot wasn't great. (I didn't think it was as bad as the judges did. They were pretty harsh!)

What did you think? Are you still watching? I am hooked and will have to see this one through! The Olympics may cause some problems for me though - I will be watching them as much as possible!

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Elvis has left the building

Well, that was the best quote ever on The Greatest American Dog. Unfortunately, it means that David and Elvis were the team eliminated this week.

I enjoyed the competition this week - watching team work between humans and their dogs - it looked challenging! I agreed with most of the judges words. I thought that Brandy and Beacon should have been in the bottom three - if not eliminated - rather than Tillman.

It was great to see Elvis redeem himself a bit by being allowed to play with both Andrew and Tillman off-leash. They had a great time with no altercations!

Several pairs "cheated" a bit and I'm glad they were called for it. I like Laurie and Andrew, but she cheated. She should not have torn the paper for Andrew on the hoop. He is a good dog and responds to her well. I think he could have done it given a chance, and she ruined that by assuming he couldn't.

Brandy also cheated with Beacon on the tunnel by opening the "sock" at the end for her to come out. I have about had it with Brandy's voice as well. It is SO high-pitched! I imagine the other humans AND dogs have too!

What did you guys think this week? Did the right pair go home? Or should Elvis still be in it? I'm actually amazed by how much I am enjoying this show. David was a true "graceful loser" last night as he went out. He thanked his fellow contestants even though they had been pretty harsh with him. He also broke down in tears thanking Elvis. He truly loves his little rascal of a dog. That was sweet to see!

(Photo from CBS.com)

She's not a pet, she's a companion

Which "Greatest American Dog" contestant said that?

Well, it was my all-out favorite, Bill, of his dog Star. (I can't decide... should I blog about this show every week? I had to this week because of Bill!)

He made a comment that just struck a chord with me. It is what we are all about at World by the Tail, Inc. He said (I paraphrase) "Star is not just a pet, not just a family member. She is my companion." You can absolutely see that in their relationship. They have mutual love and respect for each other.

I can't help myself - I am enjoying this show. I am a sucker for "reality" TV shows. My favorite by a mile is Dancing with the Stars, but since it isn't on right now, I am watching TV go to the dogs.

This week, there was some drama. Elvis attacked Tillman and made him bleed. Ron got upset that nothing was done to stop the tiff. But, the big drama was that Star got hurt somehow and Bill had to rush with her to an emergency vet. It turned out to be not so serious, but the panic and emotion for Bill was so palpable. We've all been in that place with our pets - the not knowing what happened, the hoping/praying they are OK, and then (hopefully) the relief of knowing they are. Thankfully, she was fine and back to her spot in the competition without any further drama.

I enjoyed this week more than the first because the challenge seemed much more appropriate. Watching the dogs "leave it" with a plate of food was very entertaining - particularly Tillman. I didn't think he would make it.

Elan and Kenji were painful to watch - everything the judges said to her was right on - she was very harsh with Kenji. The other dogs were reacting to her constant "correcting" noises to Kenji. Beth Joy is way over the top about Bella Starlet - she probably needs to bring their relationship into perspective a bit (in my opinion.)

In the end, I wasn't sure who the judges would pick, but I agree fully with the decision this week! What did you think? Did you watch again this week or was last week enough for you? Who is your pick!? Did that change from last week to this week?

Did you watch?

CBS premiered the Greatest American Dog last night. Now, I don't watch much TV, but I did decide to tune in and see what this was all about. (I missed the first couple of minutes, so I missed most of the intros about the teams!)

Right away, I found myself liking a couple teams better than others just based on the human-animal bond that was present! The cast is quite diverse - both dogs and humans! There is a skateboarding bulldog named Tillman (see clip below - Tillman gets his skateboard stolen by Ezzie), and a gorgeous giant Schnauzer named Kenji. The dogs seemed to get along pretty well with each other, overall. There may be more trouble with the humans getting along!

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The premise is that the twelve (now eleven) teams will all live together in this amazing house and compete in challenges until the winner can be crowned. There is a swanky room that a team can win in challenges (they will have this room all to themselves, while other teams have to share rooms - dogs with humans). There is also a "dog house" outside where the winner of the challenge can choose to put another teammate to live for several days.

The challenges involve training and interaction with the dogs. It was pretty obvious right from the start that some of the dogs were not very well trained to interact with their humans. Some of them were just wonderful and did exactly what they were asked to do. It was nice though, that the competitions weren't completely skewed toward the dogs that were better trained. Obviously, they will have a better chance as they do listen to their humans, but they could still win!

So - I want to know - did you watch? Do you think they sent home the right person/dog? Let me know in comments. If you didn't see it, you can watch the full episode online at http://www.cbs.com/primetime/greatest_american_dog/.

My favorite team last night was Bill and Star. They weren't necessarily the best "performers" but I loved the way that Bill interacted with Star. He obviously really loves his dog! Star also obviously loves Bill! It's a great thing to see! I agreed with the judges overall on the decision of who they sent home! (I won't say who it was so I don't spoil anything for those who didn't watch!) I think I'll keep watching this one - it was entertaining! 

Greatest American Dog

CBS has a new show that starts airing soon! On Thursday, July 10, The Greatest American Dog TV show/competition will begin airing.

There are twelve teams of a human and their dog set to compete for the title of Greatest American Dog. These teams will live together and compete against one another in challenges. From a press release from CBS:

Twelve extraordinary teams of dogs and owners from across the nation will compete for the title of GREATEST AMERICAN DOG. Hosted by zoologist/television personality Jarod Miller, owners and their pets - from "pageant dogs" to those simply trained at home - will live together and compete against each other in challenges that put the owners' ability to train their dogs to the test. Each week, the judges (Wendy Diamond, Allan Reznick and Victoria Stilwell) will eliminate one dog and their owner. The last remaining team will walk away with a $250,000 cash prize and the title of GREATEST AMERICAN DOG.

Check out the full press release to learn about the 12 teams.

What do you think? Will you watch this new spin on "reality" TV? I think it sounds like it could be a lot of fun. I think I'll tune in to the first episode to see! Would you ever try out for a show like this with your pet? 

America's Top Dog

There is a new reality show planned for CBS later this year to be called "America's Top Dog". From About.com:

"America's Top Dog is a new one hour-long series where 'man's best friend' can help its owner win big money! Owners and their pets - from 'pageant dogs' to those dogs simply trained at home - will live together and battle it out in a dog competition that puts the dog's relationship with the person who has raised and trained it to the test. In the end, only one team of loving owner and faithful dog will emerge the winner in this dog-eat-dog competition!"

What do you think of this? In our new world of writer-less TV, reality shows are definitely taking over. Will you watch a show where the dogs are the stars? We think the idea might just work. Here at World by the Tail, we're definitely pet-lovers. It might be a fun twist to "reality TV". Of course, we think the winners should receive ClayPaws® kits too!