Pick of the Litter – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Pick of the Litter

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2019Documentary

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Real-life puppy training montage: adorable, educational, and occasionally heartbreaking when good boys don't make the cut.

7.6/10

97%

89%

7.3

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Pick of the Litter

movie

G, 2019, Documentary

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Real-life puppy training montage: adorable, educational, and occasionally heartbreaking when good boys don't make the cut.

7.6

97%

7.3

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7.6/10

97%

7.3

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the documentary equivalent of comfort food—warm, gentle, and genuinely educational without trying too hard. It's perfect for animal-loving families who want something wholesome that also teaches empathy and perseverance.

The 97% critic rating isn't inflated: it's well-made, emotionally intelligent filmmaking. But let's be real—it's an 81-minute observational documentary about puppy training. If your kid needs constant stimulation or isn't particularly into dogs, they'll be checking their watch.

The real magic is how it handles 'failure'—puppies who don't make the cut aren't presented as losers, they just find different (equally good) paths. That's a genuinely valuable lesson wrapped in adorable puppy footage. It's slow, it's sweet, and it's exactly what it promises to be. No surprises, no edge, just good dogs trying their best.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-12, especially dog lovers and kids who can handle slower-paced, real-world content. Younger kids may lose interest in the documentary format; older kids might find it too young unless they're specifically into animals or service work.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Documentary follows puppies through their guide dog training journey with warmth and respect. Models dedication, perseverance, and the profound bond between humans and service animals. Emotionally gentle pacing that celebrates both successes and acknowledges when puppies 'career change' (don't make the cut) without shame. Common Sense Media age 6 rating confirms age-appropriate tone throughout.

Imaginative

As a straightforward observational documentary, it doesn't actively invite creative expression or building. However, it does spark curiosity about animal training, career paths for dogs, and the science of guide dog work. The two-year odyssey structure provides insight into a world most viewers never see. Limited imaginative score because it's documentary observation rather than creative storytelling.

Safe

Exceptionally safe content—it's puppies training to help people. No violence, scary moments, inappropriate content, or surprises. The most 'intense' moments involve puppies not making the cut for guide dog work, which is handled sensitively (they become pets instead). No toxicity, no concerning themes. Common Sense Media age 6 rating and 97% RT critic score support this.

Enriching

Genuinely educational about service animals, disability awareness, animal training science, and the dedication required for specialized careers. Builds empathy for both blind individuals and the rigorous standards needed for guide dogs. Shows real-world consequences and the value of hard work. Strong ratings (7.6 IMDb, 97% RT critics) suggest meaningful content. However, entertainment value may vary—it's educational but not thrilling.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely wholesome content that teaches kids about service animals and disability without being preachy—just follows the dogs
Shows that failure isn't shameful: puppies who don't become guide dogs still get loving homes as pets (the 'career change' concept is handled beautifully)
Builds empathy and understanding for both people with disabilities and the incredible training required for working dogs
High-quality documentary filmmaking with 97% critic rating—this isn't amateur hour puppy cam footage
Perfect for dog-obsessed kids who want to understand what their pet could theoretically do with two years of intensive training

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What to Watch For

It's a documentary, which means slower pacing than most kids' content—no action sequences, just real life unfolding over two years
Some emotional moments when puppies don't make the final cut (though handled gently—they become beloved pets instead)
May inspire intense lobbying for a puppy, so be prepared for that conversation
81 minutes feels longer than typical kids' movies because it's observational rather than plot-driven

Conversation Starters

"What do you think would be the hardest part of training to be a guide dog?"
"How do you think the puppies felt when they didn't pass their tests? Is it okay to try something and not succeed?"
"Why do you think guide dogs need so much training compared to regular pets?"
"Would you want to be a puppy raiser who has to give the dog back after a year? What would be hard about that?"
"What other jobs do you think dogs could learn to do if they had this much training?"