Greatest American Dog - Season 1

Greatest American Dog
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This show is awesome, but I hated to see anyone leave. All the dogs were good, and deserved to win. (But only one could)
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I felt the judges were a bit too tough and judgmental, but ended up liking their thinking a bit.
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I agree about not really liking the use of snarl bands. (They made Leroy look positively fierce in his one challenge early on when Teresa used them.)
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I don't believe any of the dogs were used to something like this - which is one reason I believe that the judges were a bit tough. The dogs did really well in spite of it.
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I wouldn't even attempt to take my dog, Yogi - who is a Min.Pin. - to compete in something like this. He is a bit spoiled, and doesn't mind remotely well enough to do this. He's not a social as I would like him to be - partly/mostly my fault. There were challenges in GAD I would not have EVER had my Yogi take part in.
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I apologize for being a bit behind in my review due to taping episodes to NOT MISS THEM. They do have episodes on the main site to see which is good - which helped me!
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Thank you to those who read this ongoing review and didn't reveal anything to me about the ending!
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I'm ready for Season 2!
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Week 10 - Final:
Eliminated was: GALAXY - (Actually it was J.D. who was eliminated.)
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It came down to PRESLEY and ANDREW
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The wonderful surprise was Presley - who won the trophy for being "Best American Dog"! It was a good call by the judges.
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Andrew came in second. (Actually not winning due to Laurie) Andrew's main weak point was due to not being social or being able to separate from Laurie - which I knew might be a problem. He's an awesome dog, and has a mighty heart!
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Galaxy didn't win due to handling/grooming techniques by owner J.D. - which the judges didn't approve of certain things. I now see they were also judging or promoting a certain standard - discipline and relationship with the owner as well, and who best represented that. I could see on the different owners faces that they didn't understand that, which I didn't either until a bit ago after reflecting on it.
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I honestly thought it earlier it was going to be down to Galaxy and Star. I didn't think that Leroy would have made it as far as he did. I did not expect at all that Presley would have won, but in his last challenge it was THE BEST PERFORMANCE THAT I HAD EVER SEEN HIM DO! Awesome!
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Andrew was TOUGH to beat too.
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Right down to the end I did not at all know or expect who would win, but I think the right owner and dog did upon reflection. I could see that Presley knew he did something really good too!
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Congratulations Travis and Presley!
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Week 9: LEROY
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I am not entirely thrilled with how this week went. I have mixed feelings concerning Leroy leaving this week, even though I was skeptical all along on his winning. Leroy did wonderful in his first challenge, and got through his second. (The second challenge was why he was - I believe unfairly - voted off.)
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In the second challenge itself I noticed that for Leroy there was quite a bit more confusion in trying to distract him compared to the other dogs. (Presley didn't get off easy on this challenge either) Teresa was a bit wired with Leroy, and it took A LOT to keep him focused on his task and on Teresa.
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I think Leroy did the very best that he could, and he actually completed both of the challenges.
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Unlike Presley.
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Travis - and I really understand why - left Presley off the hook for his first challenge, and I am not at all surprised that Presley could not complete his second challenge.
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It was a tough call.
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I believe that Leroy was penalized for his relationship with his owner Teresa - who interacted with him this way with him the ENTIRE show. Why now was it addressed at this critical point - when revealed earlier on?
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How Teresa handles Leroy is very different than how Travis handles Presley.
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I honestly believe it was unfair that Leroy was sent home, and I really believe that Presley - and I love Presley - should have been sent home instead.
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Wendy Diamond asserted that it should have been Presley in order to be fair, and I agree. Presley did break to pursue a distraction FULLY leaving where he was supposed to stay.
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But technically so did Leroy - who inched out of his circle where he was supposed to stay.
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I find myself not agreeing constantly with Victoria Stilwell.
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Am I surprised that Leroy went home - no. It is to Leroy's credit that he made it most of the way! Teresa should be proud of him!
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One more thing - should Laurie be praised like she was because Andrew has a bit of stockholm syndrome? Laurie exerts MORE control over little Andrew than J.D. does with Galaxy. I don't find fault with J.D.'s handling of Galaxy.
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Andrew was the only dog that could not socialize with other people or dogs, and Laurie showed herself to be threatened by ANY other interaction that Andrew would begin to have with anyone else but Laurie. Laurie was praised for that?
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Something is wrong with that I think.
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Week 8: STAR
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I think Star decided in her mind enough, and that it was time to go home. She didn't do very well in her two challenges this week, and last week with the puppie challenge. I think things might happen for a reason maybe. She is a very cool dog!
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Andrew is my hero as far as the elephant challenge, which I had to admit the two challenges this week crossed my comfort zone. I believe it contributed to an injury with Galaxy - I hope it's not any cracked ribs from that scaffold challenge.
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Week 7: BELLA STARLET
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I agree with the decision of Bella Starlet going home this week. I really think she is going to be happy being home where she has more of her own space. She was being a bit of a diva - the snapping was not at all a good thing. (I wonder if she missed Preston to explain why she seemed mad? Preston is a cute little guy.)
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Bella was not chosen right in the first challenge to be the digger. She should have been the bell ringer with Beth Joy directing. Leroy was the natural digger I think.
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I was surprised at Star's response to the puppies. I could see right away she was not going for anything that had to do with being involved with youngsters.
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J.D. - good show of command! - and Galaxy did awesome in the puppie exercise.
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Leroy shown like a star this week!
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Week 6: PRESTON
This little guy tried, and I love the mohawk! Preston was sent home for the same reason that Tillman was sent home. Laura simply didn't prepare as she should have - and it was uncool about remarking about Bella Starlet.
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Beth Joy did own up to it - which I don't think Laura knew that - to Bella Starlet being sensitive about her feet and her yelping. (I've met dogs like this.) I know that Laura maybe was upset at Bella being uncomfortable, but it looked like it was simply a ploy to deflect away from being unprepared with Preston.
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Laurie did the same thing in week 3, and that was uncool as well - but was not sent home for it.
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I like that Travis did the right thing by defending Beth Joy.
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Week 5: BEACON
I don't think Brandy needs to feel too bad. Beacon really tried, but I can see - pet person that I am - that Beacon was thinking I am so done with this. I think it was a blessed thing that Teresa did to give Bill the Dog Bone Room and leg up. (Teresa needed the leg up too, and I am more skeptical about Leroy than I am about Star.) Leroy is simply a barker, and has a lot to say - and did awesome in this week's mud challenge!
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Week 4: TILLMAN
Ron, the photo of Tillman was awesome, and I don't care what the judges thought. It made me chuckle a bit. I'm going to try to look for the magazine issue that shows the photo of Galaxy! The photos of Galaxy and Bella Starlet were outstanding!
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Week 3: ELVIS
David, Elvis is a star. I think you already know that. I know that Elvis really tried. Elvis got a bit of a bad rap, but the nipping wasn't good. Uncool Laurie.
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Week 2: KENJI
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Week 1: EZZIE
I don't think Ezzie was given a really good chance to be sent home so soon.