Divine Canine - TV-G

Monks' patient guidance pays off with pups.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
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details
  • TV Rating: TV-G
  • Network: Animal Planet
  • Genre: Reality TV

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that adorable dogs and mild-tempered monks share the spotlight in this canine-obedience series, so there's virtually no content to worry about. A monk schooled in dog training works patiently with the pooches to correct behavior like jumping on furniture and refusing to obey commands. The other brothers talk about the importance of socializing young dogs for human contact and explain how living and working with the animals enriches their lives. Dog lovers of all ages will enjoy watching the human/canine interaction, but young kids may be bored by the training sessions.

Families can talk about the breadth of reality programming on TV. What defines reality TV? Is anything on TV truly real, or does the simple process of editing alter reality for viewers? Tweens: Which reality shows do you like? What role does controversy play in a show's success? Does this series seem real to you? Why or why not? Does your ability to relate to the participants affect your assessment of the reality? On a lighter note, families can talk about pet ownership and care. Kids: What pets do you have? How do you care for them? Do they require any training? If so, are they good students? What would you do if they showed behavior problems?

Message

Social Behavior:

The series shows patient, knowledgeable training change bad behavior in dogs. The show is set in an Eastern Orthodox monastery, but aside from monastic clothing and the occasional mention of worship services or spiritualism, there's little religious influence.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Emily Ashby

In DIVINE CANINE, the Eastern Orthodox monks of the New Skete monastery in upstate New York enrich their own spiritualism and connect with nature by breeding and raising German shepherds, working daily with the dogs to affirm gentle human contact and teach basic commands that allow the dogs to function easily in human society. As the presiding canine expert, Brother Christopher also offers his services to pet owners whose troublesome dogs have led them to the end of their rope (er, leash). Even the most stubborn animals are no match for the monk's gentle guidance, pristine patience, and, well, divine determination. In one segment, for example, Brother Christopher sets out to un-spoil a pampered Cavalier King Charles spaniel named Stella, whose prima donna status (the dog rides in a stroller on walks) could prove tricky once her owners' baby arrives and upsets the household balance of power. But after four weeks at New Skete boot camp, Stella amazes her humans by obeying commands, heeling on a leash, and even (gulp) getting her dainty feet wet on walks.

Is it any good?

3

There's something endearing about watching people and dogs relate, and in touching asides, the monks often describe how their interactions with the animals have improved the quality of their lives. Viewers will also learn a few tricks of the trade, including socialization methods and how to create a comfortable atmosphere for often-stressful tasks like nail trimming and vet visits. And then there's Brother Christopher's mastery of obedience training, which might offer frustrated pet owners some helpful hints. Divine Canine is well suited for family viewing, but the training sessions probably won't hold youngsters' attention like the occasional shots of roly-poly puppies will.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 4 reviews.

0


Posted on 02/14/08 by Meerdog Kid contributor, age 10

I HATE THIS SHOW!

This boring show couldnt hold my attention for ten minutes, and I can sit through shows that are TWO HOURS OR MORE LONG! I mean, if someone with an attention span as LONG AS MINE can't watch this show and be entertained no one can!!!!
5

Posted on 10/09/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 17

Divine Canine

My name is Chris. I was featured on this show in the episode "Harnessing Harley". One rater said "Aside from the fact that "dominance" is not the cause or solution for behavior problems in dogs, this show teaches children that those who don't train their dogs (a key piece in responsible ownership) can simply pay someone to take their dog for a month, yank it around by the neck and *voila* they have a trained dog." This show did not teach that- I am sorry. It took a while to gain dominince over Harley. We had to take the knowledge we learned and apply it to Harley- it was total retraining and re-inforcing what Harley already learned. If you had watched the episodes you see the people struggle with the dog when they get it back. It takes a while for people to get the hang of it. This was clearly seen on the show. Perhaps the rater did not see all the episodes... but as someone who experienced it, the training advice on the show works if you stick with it. This show is geared for dog loving and dog owners more than children; however, children will love the puppies that are shown on each episode.
Age 13+
5

Posted on 06/24/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Entertaining and instructive

Good dog training makes a difference! More convinced of this after viewing the shows.
Age 17+
0

Posted on 05/15/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Bad Lessons for Children

Aside from the fact that "dominance" is not the cause or solution for behavior problems in dogs, this show teaches children that those who don't train their dogs (a key piece in responsible ownership) can simply pay someone to take their dog for a month, yank it around by the neck and *voila* they have a trained dog. A much better program for families to watch is It's Me or the Dog, which shows that it is the dog owner, not a trainer, who needs to make the changes and do the work and changes are made using positive methods. Positive training methods which don't run a high risk of negative behavioral fallout when your kids try to imitate it. Skip the Dog Whisperer and Divine Canine. If you want your kids to learn about responsible ownership, look to It's Me or the Dog or, better yet, enroll in a local positive training class.

Adult Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

Age 13+
5

Posted on 06/24/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Entertaining and instructive

Good dog training makes a difference! More convinced of this after viewing the shows.
Age 17+
0

Posted on 05/15/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Bad Lessons for Children

Aside from the fact that "dominance" is not the cause or solution for behavior problems in dogs, this show teaches children that those who don't train their dogs (a key piece in responsible ownership) can simply pay someone to take their dog for a month, yank it around by the neck and *voila* they have a trained dog. A much better program for families to watch is It's Me or the Dog, which shows that it is the dog owner, not a trainer, who needs to make the changes and do the work and changes are made using positive methods. Positive training methods which don't run a high risk of negative behavioral fallout when your kids try to imitate it. Skip the Dog Whisperer and Divine Canine. If you want your kids to learn about responsible ownership, look to It's Me or the Dog or, better yet, enroll in a local positive training class.

Kids Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

0


Posted on 02/14/08 by Meerdog Kid contributor, age 10

I HATE THIS SHOW!

This boring show couldnt hold my attention for ten minutes, and I can sit through shows that are TWO HOURS OR MORE LONG! I mean, if someone with an attention span as LONG AS MINE can't watch this show and be entertained no one can!!!!
5

Posted on 10/09/07 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 17

Divine Canine

My name is Chris. I was featured on this show in the episode "Harnessing Harley". One rater said "Aside from the fact that "dominance" is not the cause or solution for behavior problems in dogs, this show teaches children that those who don't train their dogs (a key piece in responsible ownership) can simply pay someone to take their dog for a month, yank it around by the neck and *voila* they have a trained dog." This show did not teach that- I am sorry. It took a while to gain dominince over Harley. We had to take the knowledge we learned and apply it to Harley- it was total retraining and re-inforcing what Harley already learned. If you had watched the episodes you see the people struggle with the dog when they get it back. It takes a while for people to get the hang of it. This was clearly seen on the show. Perhaps the rater did not see all the episodes... but as someone who experienced it, the training advice on the show works if you stick with it. This show is geared for dog loving and dog owners more than children; however, children will love the puppies that are shown on each episode.
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