Parents' Guide to

Dog and Beth: On the Hunt

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Bounty hunter spin-off is grittier than the original.

TV CMT Reality TV 2013
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What's the Story?

DOG AND BETH: ON THE HUNT stars bounty hunter Duane "Dog" Chapman and his wife Beth Smith Chapman as they help up-and-coming bondsmen and bounty hunters learn how to succeed in the trade and survive the dangers that come with their job. After the violent death of young two bail enforcement agents in Bakersfield, Calif., Dog and Beth start a new chapter in their lives by leaving Hawaii and traveling across the continental United States to help people in the trade with every aspect of the business. Joining them is their son Leland, who after months of not speaking to his dad, has returned to work alongside his family. Together they teach bail enforcement teams how to correctly write bonds, track, use high-tech devices, and keep themselves from getting hurt while on the job. They also accompany them as they track fugitives, and show them some valuable tricks they've picked up during their years in the trade.

Is It Any Good?

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From teaching office administrators how to speak politely on the phone to law enforcement, to showing bail enforcement agents how to look for clues to track fugitives, this Dog the Bounty Hunter spin-off features Dog and Beth teaching folks across the country the kind of business savvy and street smarts that made them successful. They teach them the latest and safest ways to catch bail jumpers, but also underscore how important it is to treat the folks they are arresting with some kindness in order to gain their trust, help show the errors of their ways, and perhaps encourage them to become future clients.

Like its parent series, the show features lots of chases down dark alleys and hunts in and around tough neighborhoods. There's some gritty conversations about alleged assaults, kidnappings, and other crimes, too. But it is clear that the tough-talking, Bible-quoting Dog and no-nonsense Beth are offering their advice to honor their fellow bondsmen and agents, and to help them protect themselves from getting hurt and from financial ruin. The result is a series that's pretty rough around the edges, but that contains messages that are constructively positive.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about bail enforcement. How does this trade work? What is the difference between a bail bondsman and a bail enforcement agent? What do TV shows like this one teach us about the bail bonds trade?

  • Are the searches and chases featured on these TV programs real, or are they made more entertaining for viewers? What are the consequences of making this kind of work appear exciting?

TV Details

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