Pretzel and the Puppies - Make Your Bark / Pup to the Races (S1E1)
Paxton makes his bark by painting a colorful city mural. Pedro helps the smaller pups race in the Kibble Cart Derby.
| Runtime (min) | 23 |
|---|---|
| TMDB Rating | 10.0 (1 votes) |
| Air Date | 2022-02-11 |
| Genres | Kids, Animation |
| TV Rating | TV-Y |
| Network(s) | Apple TV |
Storyline
In the first segment, "Make Your Bark," Paxton discovers his unique talent and voice through art when he takes on the challenge of painting a large city mural. As he works on the project, he learns to express himself creatively and finds confidence in his individual style. The mural becomes a colorful representation of his personality and shows the other puppies that everyone has their own special way of contributing to the community.
The second segment, "Pup to the Races," follows Pedro as he notices that some of the smaller pups are having difficulty competing in the Kibble Cart Derby. Rather than focusing on his own race, Pedro dedicates himself to helping his smaller friends participate and succeed. Through teamwork, problem-solving, and encouragement, Pedro finds ways to level the playing field so that pups of all sizes can enjoy the excitement of the derby and have a fair chance at racing.
What kids learn
Children learn about the importance of self-expression and finding their unique talents through Paxton's story. The episode demonstrates that everyone has different strengths and ways of contributing, and that discovering what makes you special is a valuable journey. Young viewers see that creative expression, whether through art or other means, is a valid and important way to communicate and share who you are with the world.
Pedro's segment teaches children about inclusivity, empathy, and helping others participate fully in activities. Kids learn that being a good friend sometimes means setting aside personal goals to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to join in the fun. The episode models problem-solving skills as Pedro figures out how to adapt the race so smaller pups can compete alongside larger ones.
The dual stories reinforce that community is strengthened when everyone's contributions are valued and when we actively work to include others. Children see practical examples of kindness in action and learn that success can mean different things—sometimes it's creating something beautiful, and sometimes it's helping friends achieve their own goals.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What age group is this episode appropriate for? | This episode is designed for preschoolers ages 3 to 6. The gentle pacing, clear moral lessons, and colorful animation are tailored to hold young children's attention while teaching age-appropriate concepts about self-expression, helping others, and inclusion. The dual-story format keeps the content varied and engaging for short attention spans, and the themes are presented in concrete, relatable scenarios that preschoolers can understand and apply to their own lives. |
| Does this episode have any scary or upsetting content? | No, this episode contains no frightening or upsetting material. Both stories focus on positive challenges that the puppies overcome through creativity and teamwork. There are no villains, conflicts are mild and resolved kindly, and the overall tone is warm and encouraging. The competitive element of the race is handled in a supportive, inclusive way rather than creating tension or disappointment among the characters. |
| What specific lessons does my child learn from Paxton's mural story? | Paxton's story teaches children that everyone has a unique way of expressing themselves and contributing to their community. Kids learn that trying new things, like painting a large mural, can help them discover hidden talents. The segment encourages creative confidence and shows that individual artistic expression is valuable. Children see that making your mark on the world can take many forms, and that being different or having a unique style is something to celebrate. |
| How does Pedro's story teach my child about helping others? | Pedro's segment demonstrates active kindness and problem-solving in action. Children see Pedro notice that smaller pups are struggling and then choose to help them rather than focus only on his own success. The story teaches kids to be aware of others' challenges, to think creatively about solutions, and to understand that including everyone makes activities more fun for the whole group. It models empathy and shows that helping friends is a rewarding choice. |
| Are there opportunities to discuss the episode's themes with my child afterward? | Yes, both stories offer excellent conversation starters. After Paxton's segment, you can ask your child about their own special talents or what they like to create. Following Pedro's story, you can discuss times when your child has helped a friend or noticed someone who needed support. You might also talk about fairness in games and activities, or explore what it means to include everyone regardless of size or ability. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Paxton makes his bark by painting a colorful city mural. Pedro helps the smaller pups race in the Kibble Cart Derby. |
| 1 | 2 | Pedro gets creative to help picky eater Puck try new things. Poppy finds the perfect way to celebrate Muttgomery's birthday. |
| 1 | 3 | Pippa saves the day when Nana Doxie's favorite exercise class is canceled. Puck invents a cool way to deal with a hot day. |
| 1 | 4 | Pippa prepares a special meal that friends with food allergies can enjoy. Poppy's imaginative thinking turns Delilah's cone into a game changer. |
| 1 | 5 | New neighbor Gus keeps getting lost, so Poppy steps up to help. Pedro finds a way to get waggly Dill to sit still for his trim at Gigi's Groom Palace. |
| 1 | 6 | Pippa creates new instruments for the band after theirs accidentally break. Poppy makes sure dogs of all sizes can access the new viewing tower. |
| 1 | 7 | Pedro helps create a traffic-free zone for scootering. The pups find a way to give their old toys new homes. |
| 1 | 8 | Pedro inspires the city to thank the Muttgomery firedogs. Puck brings the fun to a pal whose neighborhood has no playground. |
| 1 | 9 | When a heavy snowfall jeopardizes the annual holiday festival, the pups find unique ways to celebrate with all the snowed-in dogs in the city. |
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | Poppy's cleanup mission inspires change in the neighborhood. Pedro sets out to retrieve a beloved ball from a nearby rooftop. |
| 2 | 2 | Pippa helps Rosie find a new way to style her bows. When Puck struggles to fall asleep, Pretzel invites him on a soothing journey. |
| 2 | 3 | Puck encourages Curly to face his fear of the local garbage truck. Paxton works on a special surprise for Nana Doxie. |
| 2 | 4 | Poppy leads a rainy-day trip to the Muttgomery Library. After Sammy hurts his paw, the pups cheer him up with a make-believe adventure. |
| 2 | 5 | Nana Doxie and her neighbors help Pedro master a scooter trick. Greta rallies the group for a hike to the snowy peak of Mount Muttgomery. |
| 2 | 6 | When Dill and Delilah's hamster goes missing, the pups leap into action. Pedro discovers a unique way to meet dogs who want to play. |
| 2 | 7 | Paxton searches for a place to work on his art. Poppy sees potential in a fallen tree near Waggington Square Park. |
| 2 | 8 | Russell and Grampy inspire a plan to help hungry pups. After Greta misses out on family fun, Poppy tries to recreate the magic. |
| 2 | 9 | Ms. Clawtez introduces the crew to a new friend. The pups celebrate their birthday and give back to the community. |
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