The Dog House (2019– ) User Reviews

First Dates meets The Repair Shop

[chrischapman-47545 · 9/10 · 29 March 2021]

As a dog owner I stumbled across this series and really like it. It shows a dog rescue charity matching dogs with potential owners. What really brings it to life is the wide variety of back stories of the owners, who are often surprising and easy to emphasise with, and the dogs (ditto) while there is a segment at the end which shows how things turned at the home environment some time later .

The rescue centre itself is immaculately kept and very well staffed - probably a cut above the average compared to some more amateur but well meaning sites.

The process is a bit formulaic, eg CCTV commentaries by a group of staff watching the dog meet its potential owners in a controlled environment, and the choice of dogs offered can seem a bit random and limited.

Nevertheless it is a very heartwarming show and also teaches a lot about the advantages/disadvantages/pitfalls of dog ownership. Good camerawork and well editted. Great viewing for all the family, except our dogs who will bark at anything four legged on the telly....

My favourite show

[lynn_dyer · 10/10 · 29 May 2021]

Love this heart felt show. It is wonderful to see how these poor abandoned dogs find a new home and what they bring to the people who adopt them. I never miss an episode. I wish it was on every night.

Delightful and uplifting show

[coasterdude44 · 10/10 · 1 August 2021]

Great show to watch on Saturday night if you need cheering up. The dogs are always cute and there are always good reactions between the new owners and you get to know the personality of each dog and their stories and how they are different from one another.

Great show that will warm your heart.

If you've ever thought of adopting a rescue animal this series is for you

[karenholmes-04495 · 10/10 · 26 June 2022]

Normally I do not like such heartfelt and sincere television, but this got me hooked. I adopted a disabled rescue dog, what I didn't realize at the time was that she also rescued me. If not for her I don't think I could have accepted my mother's death. That is why I love this series, it shows how animals save people as much as we save them. Dogs are the best. We are better humans for having them in our lives.

Very Sweet Serie

[ue-53660 · 9/10 · 18 March 2021]

This is a very sweet and light series by Channel 4. Much better and more entertaining than I expected. It explores the various interesting and sometimes problematic personalities of the potential owners and reasons why they choose a rescue dog. The little stories of each super cute rescue dog, are also very sweet, a bit sad but heartwarming.

Pure joy

[luluvolund · 10/10 · 9 March 2022]

Me and my girls just love this show.

We all just love dogs and our youngest is leaning English in the nicest of ways - It's just the lovely family time in the couch, watching this.

A favorite for any huge dog lover

[littllepea · 10/10 · 29 December 2023]

This show is so heartwarming. I smile, laugh, and cry watching it. It's one of my favorites and I was really sad when it was over, I wish they would make more! It tells so many amazing stories of dogs and people, and how we are connected. It gives you the best feeling when you see precious dogs that have been given up find new homes. I love how they also include updates at the end. The show is also a really great tool to learn about how to properly match with a new pet because you see how things go can go wrong. It shows you how much work goes into matching the dogs not just on looks or breed that a lot of people make the mistake doing when they get a dog.

If only the dogs could choose the owners instead of other way around.

[wendyreid-126-591381 · 10/10 · 11 March 2023]

Wow, is there a more irritating family than the one with the two ginger kids called Phoebe and Georgia? Two over-indulged, opinionated and gobby wee kids who speak over the adults and clearly call the shots in their household. One screams at the sight of the dog and mother indulges her attention-seeking behaviour. I'd get them a budgie instead but Georgia would probably scream at the sight of that too. In fact, my advice would be to get rid of the two girls and just take the dog home, it's far less annoying and doesn't interrupt you when you're speaking. I'm wondering if any poor dog deserves to wind up with this family.

Great show

[cfcraider · 9/10 · 22 January 2022]

Love dogs; love this show. Sometimes hard to keep dry eyes, but they are often 'happy' tears.

This show would actually be perfect were it not for the annoying individual at the front desk!!

Great staff but so sad for the closures

[martinsykes-03375 · 7/10 · 6 March 2020]

It's great to see the dogs and the amazing staff, but so sad the other two Wood Green sites are to close and the support for cats and small animals to suffer. Although the volunteer and community led campaign may change that.

great for dog lovers

[jdn-82931 · 8/10 · 11 May 2024]

I really love seeing the dogs, staff and humans interact with one another. Everyone involved is truly an animal lover.

The editing is clean and the stories move along very nicely. Each episode follows the same formula so you know you are going to get exactly what you came for every time. The consistency makes the series very easy to watch.

I cannot give a ten because the human stories are all so tragic. Into season two I've had to fast forward through their sob stories. I know a dog can bring joy into your life but not everyone has to start off in depths of hell to benefit from sharing their home with a pet.

I love the staff and the beautiful dogs.

A mixed bag!

[SunnyDaise · 7/10 · 9 February 2023]

Some of this is absolutely amazing - especially the dogs, obviously! The staff are ace, hilarious at times, and there's some beautiful stories like coming to terms with grief, illness, disability etc. However, others are more stressful like elderly human euthanasia, child gender swapping etc - a bit too full on, especially for children to watch, so we have to turn off some times. There are a lot of good tips etc, so it is important that anyone can view the show without feeling too put off by complex issues. Having a dog is already an emotional rollercoaster, so we don't want the background stories to be too massive!

Society Rejects Meet Canine Counterpart

[goody-42341 · 2/10 · 8 June 2021]

Not sure what the criteria was for the series producers in selecting the prospective owners. Totally unrepresentative of UK society.

At times I wondered if this series had anything to do with rehoming dogs or more likely a concerted push to gain empathy for people who " don't fit in " This series appeared more of a propaganda exercise with a not so hidden agenda ,than one aimed at dog lovers.

Shame a promising idea ruined by one persons drive for acceptance ?

I love dogs- so this is a pleasant show

[braquecubism · 5/10 · 24 July 2020]

Someone says there are 3 shelters and 2 may close. MAR 2020.

many "shelters" are kill shelters. UK & USA 10Ks of dogs killed every week (I don't know the exact numbers)

so they don't show them refusing intake. or how many dogs. shots, pay, spay neuter? they would have to refuse many because the demand for placing homeless abandoned dogs is high. You don't hear the dogs barking. most shelters, one dog barks and the rest follow. they say they usually find homes in "a few days". Sometime it's months. so they must take in few enough dogs, and create a demand. because there are kill shelters that have short holds and kill many daily, weekly.

I got my dogs from a non kill shelter, rather than save the life of one in a shelter, because I wanted to support the non kill shelters so they could continue. I wanted a puppy because it's not hard to house train puppies, and I thought it was easier than unlearning any bad habits.

As for matching dogs to people. Really I think they over play it. People have an idea of what kind of dog they want- & it should fit with their home. a yard or city apt. I live near big parks, so we spent 1-2 hrs a day walking. Will they be home alone. I got my dog a kitten.

Most dogs are loving and will accommodate and join a pack (last in so not a leader) happily respond to food, clean soft place to sleep, and kindness &affection. Assuming there is no specific problems; like an abused neglected dog, or un-socialized (not part of a family). Shy, fearful, nervous dogs should get better. they seem to have the most problems with a hyper or very active dog.

dogs can learn language, words and concepts. They respond to facial expressions (I am sure), body motions, voice.

so yes, there are issues. size and breed(s) of dog. Is it a dog that needs a lot of activity (work, hunting breeds) is it a barker. other dogs (even walking ) or children, Some breeds chew on everything. Used to being on furniture or bed. you can get him/her to stay off when you are home watching, but a dog used to furniture will climb up when alone. Is it a dog requiring a lot of attention. all dogs fetch. some are very demanding. and the temperment could be a problem. older dogs, more likely to need vet care sooner. they deserve quality of life too.