Ep 14. Bad Apple

It's Me or the Dog season 1 episode 14, titled "Bad Apple," follows British dog trainer Victoria Stilwell as she attempts to help a family with their disobedient and aggressive Pitbull, Tyson. The family consists of a mother and her two teenage sons who adopted Tyson from a rescue shelter a few months prior to filming.

From the moment Stilwell arrives, it is apparent that Tyson is a handful. He jumps on people, bullies the family's other dogs, and has been aggressive towards one of the teenage sons. The family is at a loss as to what to do with Tyson, and it is clear that they are afraid of him.

Stilwell starts by observing the family's interactions with Tyson and their other dogs. She notes that the family is inadvertently reinforcing Tyson's bad behavior by giving him attention whenever he acts out. She also observes that the family is not following any sort of routine for the dogs, which is contributing to their bad behavior.

Stilwell then begins to work with the family on basic obedience training. She shows them how to properly give a command and reward the dog for good behavior. She also teaches them the importance of exercise and routine for dogs. Stilwell specifically focuses on teaching Tyson how to walk on a leash without pulling and how to understand his place in the household hierarchy.

Throughout the episode, Stilwell emphasizes the importance of positive reinforcement in dog training. She gradually helps the family transition from scolding and punishing Tyson for bad behavior to rewarding him for good behavior, which ultimately yields much better results.

Another key aspect of Stilwell's training is addressing the family's own behavior around Tyson. She teaches them to be calm and assertive when interacting with him, as dogs tend to pick up on and respond to their owners' emotions. She also helps the family understand that their own reactions to Tyson's bad behavior can be contributing to the problem.

The climax of the episode comes when Stilwell brings in a professional actor to play the role of an intruder in the family's home. The family is able to see firsthand how Tyson reacts to a stranger entering the house, and it is clear that he still has a long way to go in terms of obedience training. However, the family is able to intervene and calm Tyson down, showing that they have learned and implemented some valuable strategies from Stilwell's training.

Overall, It's Me or the Dog season 1 episode 14 offers an insightful and empathetic look at the challenges of dog training. Stilwell's approach emphasizes positive reinforcement and encourages owners to take responsibility for their own behavior around their pets. By the end of the episode, the family is well on their way to developing a stronger, healthier relationship with Tyson.