PUP ACADEMY: Episode 1.1: “The Strays First Day”
Puppies are Unexpectedly Enrolled into Pup Academy
What You Need To Know
The first episode of Season One of PUP ACADEMY, streaming on Netflix ,opens opens with talking dogs dressed in cloaks. These dogs work at a school for dogs, discussing a fading problem. The constellation that powers the school fades as the bond between humans and dogs weakens.
D.O.G., the lead Husky, magically places a new tag on a farm dog named Whiz, informing him of his selection. He then visits other dogs, and as he announces their enrollment, the magical collar appears.
Back at Pup Academy, the lead dogs mention a prophecy that says “boy and stray will save the day.” The scene shows Spark, a dog facing capture by animal control. She encounters intimidating Lost Dogs.
The day arrives, and the dogs respond to a whistle, leaping into glowing fire hydrants. They travel to Pup Academy. Meanwhile, a boy named Morgan meets his grandpa at home. Grandpa, a caretaker at Pup Academy, reveals the secret portal hidden in the toilet. He places the tag on Morgan, who spins down into the glowing toilet to reach Pup Academy.
Morgan discovers that his grandpa understands and talks to the dogs, while he cannot. Grandpa explains that their ancestors established Pup Academy.
Later, dog teachers argue about the new students. One dog labels Spark a “mistake,” and Spark overhears. Upset, she decides to run away. During a game of fetchball, the other dogs notice Spark’s absence. Corazon, distracted by his crush on PomPom, disrupts the game. Spark unexpectedly returns, aiding her team, the Howlers, in fetchball. Other dogs collaborate to undermine Spark’s team and bite her during the game. Spark feigns pain from the bite, lying down to distract others and secure victory.
At the episode’s conclusion, the school day ends, and the dogs return to their families via the fire hydrant. Morgan flushes his home.
PUP ACADEMY showcases decent quality. The real-life dogs talk and move their mouths in sync, sometimes appearing realistic and at other times strange. The scenes shift quickly throughout the episode, with the storyline advancing too rapidly, making it difficult to track many small details.
PUP ACADEMY presents a moral worldview in which dogs help and encourage one another. The show emphasizes helping others, doing the right thing no matter what and being a team player. One dog crushes on another and includes mild jeopardy, with dog bites implied rather than shown.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
A moral worldview in which dogs help and encourage one another. However, it also features a Pagan perspective with Occult elements of magic, teleportation, and reliance on a constellation for guidance. Foul Language No foul language, but bullying throughout. Dog’s make fun of each other by saying “newby,” “fleabags,” and “smallfry.”The dogs also use the word “tushie”
Violence
One dog bites another
Sex
No sex, but a dog has a crush on another dog
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug abuse
Miscellaneous Immorality
light magic as dog teleports. Also one dog refers to “universe” bringing their friendship together. In the end, one dog fakes being hurt to win a game.
