Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Uplifting family-and-dog tale has emotional intensity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dog Gone (2023)
What's the Story?
Stinging from a senior-year break-up, Fielding (Johnny Berchtold) adopts a dog and names him Gonkers in DOG GONE. Gonkers and Fielding bond, but his parents -- John (Rob Lowe) and Ginny (Kimberly Williams- Paisley) -- aren't too thrilled when they come to take him home after graduation. Fielding also doesn't have a job lined up, much less a life plan, unlike most of his graduating friends, to the chagrin of his professional dad. The two men clash, though Gonkers worms his way into John's heart too. When Gonkers disappears after chasing a fox into the woods on the Appalachian Trail, the whole family takes on the search to find him. The hunt pushes dad and son closer together.
Is It Any Good?
Nobody will tell you that this is an amazing movie, but it has enough elements -- cute dog, heartwarming family bonding, gorgeous scenery, some generational humor -- to make it a pleasant watch. Lowe can charm his way through just about any script, as he does as the slightly superior but ultimately well-meaning dad in Dog Gone. His reconnecting with son Fielding is the story's real core, though the search for an adorable, yoga-posing blonde lab makes for an adventure. Still, Fielding's health issues are more suspenseful than the predictable dog hunt. A storyline told through flashbacks of the mother's own childhood experience with a lost dog was unnecessary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how people from all walks of life were inspired to help search for the missing dog in Dog Gone. Why do you think they wanted to help?
John and Fielding demonstrate perseverance in searching for their missing dog, but this also compromises Fielding's health. What are the pros and cons of their determination? Do they ever consider giving up?
What was the purpose of showing Ginny's flashbacks to her childhood? Did these scenes add to the character and story? Why or why not?
Why are there so many movies, books, and TV shows about dogs? What's the appeal?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 13, 2023
- Cast : Rob Lowe , Kimberly Williams-Paisley , Johnny Berchtold
- Director : Stephen Herek
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate