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Chris Packham hosts as owners and their dogs compete together in a series of challenges designed to test communication skills between human and canine.

This physical and mental competition plays out in the Lake District where eight owners and their dogs compete together in a series of challenges, all in a bid to make it to the grand final. Only one pair can win but experts are on hand to help them all unlock the full potential of their partnerships. Chris Packham hosts, and unveils the science behind the incredible bond between human and dog.

Owners hail from all over the UK and the canine competitors come in all shapes and sizes, from an energetic border terrier called Betty to a stoic labrador named Flapjack. Challenges in this episode are designed to test communication skills between human and canine.

The eight pairs are split into two groups, the reds and the yellows, and it's the reds who have the first chance to score points. Owners must encourage dogs through a series of gates using three key modes of communication. Most can master verbal cues and body language but one pair really do see eye to eye. For the yellows, it's an uphill scramble through fast-flowing water. Dogs need to collect tennis balls along the way, but some don't want to get their feet wet. Two pairs put in storming performances, proving they have a deep understanding of one another.

The ultimate test of communication is a tethered biking challenge. Some realise they've got a lot to learn, but for others it's a joy to be racing side by side with their canine companions. Final scores are revealed but who has triumphed in the first stage of the contest?

1 hour

Last on

Sat 20 Mar 2021 10:00

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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Nathaniel Rateliff

    S.O.B.

  • 00:02

    Tiggs da Author

    Run (feat. Lady Leshurr)

  • 00:03

    Beth Orton

    Shopping Trolley

  • 00:05

    补濒迟鈥怞

    Matilda

  • 00:05

    Jack Savoretti

    Take Me Home

  • 00:07

    Lucy Rose

    Middle Of The Bed

  • 00:09

    St. Vincent

    Digital Witness

  • 00:10

    Gabrielle Aplin

    Please Don't Say You Love Me

  • 00:13

    Bastille

    Fake It

  • 00:14

    The Hoosiers

    Cops And Robbers

  • 00:14

    Seinabo Sey

    Easy

  • 00:18

    The Hoosiers

    A Sadness Runs Through Him

  • 00:18

    The Hoosiers

    A Sadness Runs Through Him

  • 00:19

    Kwabs

    Wrong Or Right

  • 00:18

    Izzy Bizu

    Diamond

  • 00:21

    The xx

    Brave For You

  • 00:22

    Laura Mvula

    Kiss My Feet (Glastonbury 2016)

  • 00:23

    Bastille

    Blame

  • 00:24

    Rizzle Kicks

    Happy That You're Here

  • 00:28

    Astronomyy

    Hypnotized

  • 00:28

    OneRepublic

    Burning Bridges

  • 00:28

    OneRepublic

    Burning Bridges

  • 00:32

    Professor Green

    Lullaby (feat. Tori Kelly)

  • 00:33

    Raleigh Ritchie

    Werld Is Mine

  • 00:33

    Tom Walker

    Fly Away With me

  • 00:35

    Hurts

    Stay

  • 00:36

    Crystal Fighters

    Live For You

  • 00:35

    Lissie

    Hollywood

  • 00:38

    Alice Jemima

    Liquorice (Radio 1's Big Weekend 2016)

  • 00:38

    The Hoosiers

    Devil's In The Detail

  • 00:40

    Raleigh Ritchie

    The Chased

  • 00:40

    Camera Obscura

    Cri du Coeur

  • 00:41

    ODESZA

    Sundara

  • 00:41

    Jagwar Ma

    Batter Up

  • 00:47

    Bastille

    Oblivion

  • 00:47

    Bastille

    Oblivion

  • 00:50

    Big Black Delta

    Kid Icarus

  • 00:55

    James Arthur

    Can I Be Him

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Chris Packham
Dog Trainer and Behaviourist Sian Ryan
Consultant Emily Blackwell
Participant Andrew Paterson
Participant Antonia Pugh-Thomas
Participant Colin Edwards
Participant Daisy Cheng
Participant Ellie Sheedy
Participant Jake Binnington
Participant Jennie Routley
Participant Joshua Rice
Executive Producer Cate Hall
Series Producer Jeremy Daldry
Director Barny Revill
Production Company Wall to Wall Media
Production Company Ten66 Television

Broadcasts

Competitors

Meet the four-legged contestants and their humans competing in this ultimate contest.