greatest american dog

Last week's episode of the Greatest American Dog saw Brandy and her Miniature Schnauzer, Beacon, leave the house. I had the chance to speak with Brandy about her time on the show, plus her plans now that she's home again, and I can't wait to share it all with you! Was Beacon really sad in the end? How about any drama behind-the-scenes? Read on and see!

PetSugar: So, I'll assume you're watching, how is Beacon's personality different on camera?
Brandy: Oh yeah, it's insane. My poor dog looks like the dumbest dog on the show. She's so smart, she's so cute, she did almost everything I asked her to but the editing doesn't really look like it at all. I definitely realized how much eye contact she makes with me and hadn't ever noticed it until I looked back. She looks up at me, waits for my command, and I just think she's the most precious thing ever. If anything, this is a really good home video of me and my dog that I can watch forever.

PetSugar: Did she have any special friends?
Brandy: She loved Elvis and she loved Presley. Those were her favorites. I don't know if it was because she had a crush on them, but she loved to play with those two.

PetSugar: And you?
Brandy: Travis and J.D. were definitely my favorites – they were fun. J.D. has a bad rap but he's really a good guy – he's just a little too experienced for the show. Those two guys were cool, country guys and it was fun hanging out with both of them.

PetSugar: Is there anything you hoped to see make it on air that hasn't?
Brandy: I was hoping to see more of Beacon doing things and the dogs interacting with each other because that's the whole reason we went on the show – I'd like to see more of her and less of me.

PetSugar: Were there any cute moments that pop into your head?
Brandy: I think Beacon hanging out with other dogs in general, especially Presley. If Travis would throw the Frisbee, Beacon and Presley would catch the Frisbee together. They never showed that and it was the cutest thing ever. Of course, Elvis did bite a few dogs or whatever, but Elvis and Beacon got along so well. Hmm, all the dogs swimming . . . that was adorable. Because we're all dog lovers, even though we're in a competition, watching all our dogs interact with each other was like watching toddlers who didn't know each other and that was so much fun. Our dogs brought us here and now our dogs are friends – it's awesome and that's the main thing I miss.

PetSugar: Have your training methods changed since participating on the show?
Brandy: When we're doing training at home, I always talk to her like a little baby. That's how I've always talked to her. Here, the very first competition was musical chairs and I knew it was a competition, so I was like 'Beacon, go' and she freaked out because I don't talk to her in a demanding voice like that ever. So I think I learned to keep the same mellow tone with training or talking and she'll respond more; I can't get too hyper, excited, angry, it has to have a tone that dogs can listen to without getting nervous. She doesn't respond to that other voice like 'You're going to talk to me like that, well then forget you.'"

PetSugar: I know! She was being so naughty, ignoring you on the last episode!
Brandy: She yawned! It was like 'are you kidding me, I'm your mother. Don't yawn at me when I'm trying to talk to you!' She was being so bad, I don't know why she did that. She wanted to go home, that's all I can say. She was done and wanted to leave.

I'd have to say that the editing of the episode did imply that Beacon wanted to go home . . . and what's happening now that they are home? See the rest of the interview and learn about Beacon's wardrobe and Brandy's wedding when you read more

Of course I tuned in to Greatest American Dog yesterday and, wow, it was a night of surprises! First off, I loved the first challenge where owners had to predict if their pets would take or leave a variety of temptations from sticks to steak – I know North would have been all over that one! Then, for the main competition, each duo drew an expression out of a hat – they had to somehow get their top models to strike a pose and depict that emotion. Teresa had some difficulty making Leroy show "angry" so she used an unconventional method to force his snarly face.

Although she was not eliminated, I don't think this strategy sat well with the other contestants . . . or the judges. Tell me what you think in your comments below.

There is always time for love in between team challenges and I think something is a-brewing on Greatest American Dog between Travis (single!) and Laura as they start "getting to know each other" a little better. I get the feeling the entire house is developing a crush on Travis considering the daggers Laura was getting thrown by the other ladies! Something tells me there is some juicy drama on the way . . .

This week, with two teamwork challenges to compete in, the fur hit the fan and the claws came out. Surprisingly, Laurie found herself in the center of it all as she confronted Beth Joy for bringing Andrew into her clothing tirade from last week, and even seemed to throw David under the bus for having Elvis on a leash during the Best in Show Challenge. Who knew gentle Laurie could be such a fierce competitor!?

After all was said and done, someone had to go home. To find out who it was, just read more

If you've been following the paths of Pop and Buzz, you'll know they were down in LA at the TCA Press Tour that wrapped up today. With panels and parties with all the major networks, they've met some very cool people, including several contestants from the Greatest American Dog. The five dogs present (left to right: Ezzie, Preston, Beacon, Tillman, and Bella Starlet) were just hanging out in the cabana with their owners all relaxed . . . and not at all fazed by the attention!

And how excited was I (read: very) when Pop passed along some cute candids she took when meeting Jarod, the show's host, and several of the furry contestants?! Check our exclusive pics out when you read more

We've got tons of nicknames for our furry friends, but am I the only one that loves to call those out in a cutesy voice (in my own home only . . . usually)? I know North loves happy puppy voice, and seems to be able to tell the difference in my tone – can your dogs distinguish as well? On yesterday's episode of Greatest American Dog, the judges praised Travis for using this special sound with his Boxer.