Greatest American Dog, Episode 10: The Finale

After a quick recap of each of the contestants as they were expelled from Canine Academy, we get to see snippets of the final three. It’s pretty obvious that JD will not win this from the looks of it as he is being shown repeatedly getting in trouble with the judges on his training methods. Laurie’s clips show that she is a strong competitor, but Andrew’s clinginess may get the best of him. And finally, in montage of Travis and Presley, we see that this pair has been the underdogs all along since they started out knowing nearly nothing, especially when compared to the other competitors. Who will win?

Back at the house, Teresa and Leroy are gone. The dogs curl up for the night while the remaining owners JD, Laurie, and Travis chat. Travis is amazed at how JD stood up to judge Vicky that night by saying, “I would never hurt the love of my life.” JD is still not happy with the way she spoke to him and says that he wouldn’t threaten a dog. Laurie tries to explain to him that it’s his stance and his voice that becomes threatening, but he doesn’t appear to want to hear her. He heads to the back of the house, leaving Laurie and Travis.

The next morning, each of the trainers are working with their dogs and playing. Well, all but poor Andrew, who is getting a bath. He looks like a drowned rat, poor baby, but it’s so cute.

There will be two Best in Show challenges this last week, and no more Dog Bone challenges. This first one will be an interview and challenges with the judges for each competitor. Laurie & Andrew start out first. Victoria asks how she’s pushed Andrew through the competition. Laurie answers that she got him through many challenges that really weren’t geared towards a smaller dog.

Wendy pipes in, “God forbid anything ever happen to you. Would Andrew’s world fall apart?” Laurie replies that she’s raised him to be close to her and it’s natural for a dog to want to find its owner.

And the best question, or best answer maybe, comes from Wendy. She asks Laurie about why it is that she should become the winner rather than Travis & Presley. The answer is fantastic and she nails it. She says that she and Andrew can be compared to a couple who have been married a long time. They anticipate each other’s moves and know what each will do next. With Travis & Presley, it’s more like a honeymoon where both are so excited about everything and it’s all fresh and new. So do you go for the team who is dependable and predictable or do you go for the team that is inexperienced and still growing as a pair?

With the questions over, Wendy comes over to take a look at Andrew and play with him. She asks Laurie to leave the room and the inevitable happens. He starts prancing around looking for Laurie. He’s slightly distracted for a few moments as he plays with Wendy’s lap dog, but it’s not long before he realizes Laurie is gone and franticly looks for her.

JD & Galaxy come into the ring, or maybe the lion’s den, next. The judge with the loudest roar starts in on him first. Victoria asks him what new things has Galaxy learned since being in Canine Academy. JD responds that he learned a lot through all the challenges and moving through the obstacles. Wendy adds to the question, asking what he’s learned from the other trainers and dogs in the house. He said that he didn’t learn a ton from the other trainers, but sat back and observed what they were doing. He didn’t step in to make changes to other’s techniques; he just let them do their own thing. Bam! He just shot himself in the foot. Dangit, JD! I was sure hoping you’d say something different. Sigh.

But just to be sure he’s really gone, Victoria asks JD to describe his training techniques. He says that he uses his tone of voice to convey what he needs done. He means what he says and that’s all he has to do to get his point across to his dogs. He continues that it’s a mellow technique; there’s no force at all. As a side note, you can read more about this on his website at www.k9kings.com, which showcases his dogs and the shows he puts on at rodeos and fairs.

Wendy examines Galaxy up close and immediately asks him when the last time was that she was bathed. He laughs and says that she only gets a bath a couple times of year. She says that dogs should be bathed at least once a month. To me that sounds strange, especially with a working dog or even Labs which need the oils in their coats. Show dogs, especially those with silky hair like Andrew’s, I can imagine get bathed more. Anyway, his interaction with Wendy ends with them laughing so maybe it’s not all bad for him.

Finally the happy couple, Travis & Presley, come out for their final quiz. Travis sort of looks like an eight-year-old who is dressed up for church. He’s just so cute! Wendy asks him what he’s done right in the competition. He answers well saying that he watched and learned so much from the other trainers. Allan asks him what surprised Travis most about his boxer. Travis is surprised at how much Presley picks up and responds to the way Travis feels and reacts to things.