Anybody else watching Dog Town, on National Geographic Channel?

I had high hopes for this show and oh my gosh I cannot believe what I am watching. They just showed the "trainers" there trying to assess the aggression level of one dog (dog/dog aggression unknown) by putting him in a room with a smaller, forward dominant dog and did nothing when the smaller dog approached and dominanted him. They allowed the situation to escalate to the smaller dog attacking the larger dog, and instead of grabbing that dog's leash they sprayed him with citronella spray.

I had something to do, was going to the store, and just cannot leave. Now I must watch what else they do and are showcasing on national television. I think their mission is fabulous, saving dogs that would be put down, "hopeless cases" etc. but I have a burning itch making me want to drive to Utah and take over.

I am curious as to everyone elses observations on this show regarding their training/rehab methods. What you see that you agree with, and what you don't agree with, and why. Lets keep this training related.

Missed it - darn. Dog Whisperer is on now. From what you report though, it sounds dangerous....to the dogs. Good grief.

After that preveiw even if I did subscribe to Nat. Geo., I'd watch reruns of Happy Days first.

 Quote: randy allen

After that preveiw even if I did subscribe to Nat. Geo., I'd watch reruns of Happy Days first.

Totally. That particular session would feed those people who have the philosophy of just "letting the dogs work it out". Personally, I'd rather watch reruns of Monk....

Well I guess this post is moot since nobody else saw it, oh well. I think it is still worth it to watch, but sometimes the information that is sent out to the average joe on TV is dangerous and stupid even if the intent is good. A

s an example, people trying Cesar's methods on their own and getting bit because they didn't know what they were doing. I find his show interesting and I watch it and take notes so that I can use specific episodes as a basis point for people who put too much faith and importance on TV - people who somehow need me to provide them with a reason I do what I do aside from lengthy explanations, because I am not "certified." So I will ask if they have ever seen CM and usually they have (surprising how many people watch the show) and I will say "the episode with NuNu the chihuahua, that is what I am talking about" and they then have a visual to go with my explanations.

It is sad, but true.. TV has a huge influence on people and they do not always give the right information. That is why I started this thread, to see if anybody saw something else, and to bring to light that it is in fact a bad idea to do what they showed. Once again, rescue is wonderful! I do it when I can, but even good intentions bring about serious problems.

I cant watch the show because i dont have that channel but i did go and watch some of the clips online.

I simply can't imagine allowing a small dog to be loose near a large dog when either one of them may have dog aggression issues.
Do they leave the dog who is know to be cat aggressive loose and allow kitties in the room to work it out?!

To me though the biggest issue is that they used citronella to stop the behavior. At our house if there is the slightest grumble or raised lip I immediately step in.
Well usually I step in long before it gets to the point of growling. Because as the human who put these dogs together it is my job to keep them safe from each other.
Fighting is not allowed, ever, no exceptions, and I do what I must do to stop them from happening in the first place.

Well it wasn't a small dog by most standards, just smaller than the other dog. It was probably around 25 pounds or so and the larger dog I would guess around 75. A big size difference - and the dog they chose (the smaller one) was bossy, dominant, and became aggressive. Not only did they just wham bam put two dogs together in a room with each other without muzzles and drop the leashes, they did not show any common sense in choosing which dogs to put together. They coudl easily have stopped or prevented any aggression, the dogs gave off clear body language and yet they were standing their saying "Anything could happen at any moment, you never know when a dog can become aggressive."

Claiming to be vigilant while the smaller dog is posturing in a strong dominance borderline aggressive manner and the larger dog is cornered showing stress and about to fight back. The citronella thing just iced the cake, IMO as it didn't correct the dog's behavior - the smaller dog went for and bit the larger dog on the neck (I think, neck or face) and then backed off when the handler of the large dog, who was right next to the large dog, moved forward with the spray. The dog was not sprayed with the citronella until he was about 4 feet away from the other dog and retreating, at like 5 seconds after the attack.

I just shouldn't watch TV anymore. lol.

I watched it and thought the same thing, isn't there someone who can help them with this situation.I felt so bad for the bigger dog, I forgot his name. They are mistaken on how to intro dogs.
maybe the next shows will be better..grrr-

So was the smaller dog the established resident and they were testing the new bigger dog or was it the other way around?
In some sense I can understand choosing a calm stable large dog to test a smaller dog on aggression, but it seems dangerous and potentially traumatic for all involved

25 lbs is tiny to me lol
I especially don't know what to do with those tiny tiny dogs that are smaller than my cat full grown. They tend to be such spoiled little boogers that generally I avoid them when we are at other peoples houses.
Sometimes though I think I want one, it would be nice to have a dog in my purse, but then I see my neighbors yorkies going bonkers in the window all day and change my mind.

Too bad I didn't see it. I do have national geography channel, and I hardly watch t.v.