Ep 5. The Not So Great Dane

In It's Me or the Dog season 1 episode 5, titled The Not So Great Dane, renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell takes on one of her biggest challenges yet. She meets a couple who are struggling to control their enormous and very mischievous Great Dane, Scooby.

Scooby has taken over the family home, chewing furniture, and causing chaos wherever he goes. His size and strength make him a handful for his owners, who are at their wits' end and unsure how to discipline him.

Victoria quickly discerns that the root of Scooby's problematic behavior is his lack of boundaries. His owners have not established clear rules and expectations for him, leading him to believe he can do whatever he wants.

To help the family regain control and give Scooby the guidance he needs, Victoria implements a strict training regime. She teaches the family how to set boundaries and enforce them, using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage good behavior.

Throughout the episode, viewers see the family's struggles and triumphs as they learn to communicate effectively with their beloved, but unruly, pet. Victoria works with them to create a behavior plan and implement it consistently.

One of the most impactful moments of the episode comes when Victoria brings in a neighbor with a well-behaved Great Dane for a playdate with Scooby. The two dogs wrestle and play, but Scooby quickly becomes too rough and starts to bully the smaller dog.

Victoria uses this as a teaching moment, showing the family the importance of socialization and appropriate play behavior. She works with Scooby to teach him how to interact with other dogs without resorting to aggression or intimidation.

As the episode progresses, viewers see Scooby transform from a destructive, out-of-control dog to a well-behaved and happy companion. With Victoria's guidance and the family's dedication, they are able to overcome Scooby's behavioral issues and establish a healthy, happy relationship.

Overall, The Not So Great Dane is a compelling and heartwarming episode that showcases the transformative power of positive reinforcement training. Victoria's expertise and compassionate approach to dog training make her an excellent resource for pet owners struggling with unruly pets.