ABC’s new dog-grooming competition series hosted by Rebel Wilson, “Pooch Perfect,” is not sitting perfectly with certain viewers.
“You can’t convince me dogs like being poked, cut, bejeweled, and dressed up like this,” one Twitter user said of the somewhat extreme pup-pageant series, which debuted on Tuesday.
“That show went from awww cute to omg are these doggos ok to I’m traumatized real quick,” another wrote.
A third asked animal rights group PETA to “save these poor dogs from this nightmare.”
Well, PETA told TheWrap, in part: “Dogs are smart, loyal individuals — they’re not here for human amusement, and unfortunately, shows like ‘Pooch Perfect’ can encourage people to restrain their dog and reach for the dye.”
Read the full PETA statement here. We reached out to ABC to request a comment on the backlash, but we did not immediately receive a response.
Ahead of the series launch, at the latest Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour, Wilson, “Pooch Perfect” producers and the show’s judges were asked about the dogs’ experience on the show.
“Some dogs like it more than others. Some find it uncomfortable. So we made sure we had the kind of dogs that were used to the entire process,” Elan Gale, executive producer, said.
“Those that are chosen to become creative partners, they are dogs that love the attention,” Jorge Bendersky, a judge on the show and a dog groomer in his own right, added. “If you have a dog that is very shy, you probably won’t want them to have pink hair and walk on the street and have people taking pictures.”
See some of the Twitter backlash below.
By the way, if you’re wondering why “Pitch Perfect” star Wilson is hosting this show, other than the titular pun, she is a fourth generation dog show-er. Wilson’s great-grandmother started The Beagle Club of Australia and the comedic actress’ mom is a renowned international all-breed dog show judge.
https://twitter.com/electricsoul123/status/1377051918300762113
The longer I watch this show, the worse I feel for these poor dogs #PoochPerfect
— 👍 (@TheOneWhiteRose) March 31, 2021
I liked the first segment, but subjecting a pooch to 4 hours of coloring , cutting, etc. seems a bit much #PoochPerfect
— Rhonda Teague (@rstcats) March 31, 2021
What the fluff are they doing to those poor pups on TV show. “Pooch Perfect?”🐶 #dogsoftwitter #seniordogs #AdoptDontShop pic.twitter.com/KmvfiYXSah
— Chillin’ 🌈🐕🦺🐈⬛🐈⬛🦜 (@COLLEENGROTTMOM) March 31, 2021
#PoochPerfect Hello @peta ??? Save these poor dogs from this nightmare!
— kelly (@kre68) March 31, 2021
https://twitter.com/lucyspin1/status/1374529712081489920
I just discovered that the show Pooch Perfect exists…and…🤢🤢
I feel bad for the dogs.
— Lauren Korus 🤘🏼 (@llaurenkat) March 27, 2021
Very disturbed by #PoochPerfect
— Melissa 🐝 (@bumblesmcgee) March 31, 2021
That show went from awww cute to omg are these doggos ok to I'm traumatized real quick. #PoochPerfect
— Divya Amladi (@Divyamladi) March 31, 2021
https://twitter.com/Kira__Murasaki/status/1376604261723824130