Posted: December 8, 2009, 5 a.m. EST
Fans of “It’s Me or the Dog” and “Underdog to Wonderdog” will find the hour-long programs return to Animal Planet on Saturday nights with all new episodes.
Starting Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. (EST/PST), viewers can watch back-to-back, real situations where trainers work to make positive changes in troubled dogs and help them acclimate to life with their new owners.
Beginning with “Underdog to Wonderdog,” a group of experts attempts to match shelter dogs with expectant families.
The Wonder Team, made up of rescue coordinator Ryan Smith, dog trainer and author Andrea Arden, groomer Ali McLennan, and carpenter David Leon, combines its talents to rescue and rehabilitate dogs in preparation for their future homes. Situations include retraining abused dogs, helping people with a dog phobia, and working with owners and dogs who team up to reach a mutual goal such as weight loss.
Immediate following at 9 p.m. (EST/PST), celebrity trainer Victoria Stilwell continues to work her magic in “It’s Me or the Dog.”
For the second season, Stilwell helps families overcome their dogs’ behavioral problems and teaches owners accountability. “Underdog to Wonderdog” and “It’s Me or the Dog” are literally transformative television,” says Marjorie Kaplan, president and general manager of Animal Planet Media Enterprises. “These series have proven themselves to be entertaining pet programs, but more than that, they teach an important lesson. No situation is hopeless – every person and animal deserves a second chance.”