Bart's Dog Gets an "F"

When Marge and Homer want to get rid of the dog, Bart enrolls him at an obedience school to curb his bad behavior.

Tracey Ullman guest starred as Emily Winthrop, the obedience school instructor; she also voiced Sylvia Winfield, the Simpsons' neighbor.

While Homer is at the mall buying magazines for Lisa, he splurges on a $125 pair of Assassins athletic shoes after seeing Ned sporting them.

Since Bart is reluctant to use firm discipline to train him, the dog fails to master basic commands like sitting and heeling.

[4] Tracey Ullman guest starred as Emily Winthrop, the instructor at the obedience school, whose mannerisms parody Margaret Thatcher.

[1] The high tech and expensive sneakers are a reference to Nike Air Jordans, which sell on the basis of brand loyalty and celebrity endorsements.

The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, wrote that it was an "enjoyable episode heightened by both Tracey Ullman's Miss Winthropp and Frank Welker's muted dog noises".

[10] He also commented that Tracey Ullman "offered a great performance as obedience school owner Emily Winthrop", and concluded by saying the episode overall "provided yet another consistently fine show".

[10] In a review of the second season, Bryce Wilson of Cinema Blend thought "Bart's Dog Gets an 'F'" felt "a bit flat", but "even in [its] lowest points, humor is easy to find".

[11] Doug Pratt, a DVD reviewer and Rolling Stone contributor, was also positive about the episode: "The viewer is treated to an inspired dog's prospective of the world, in very grayish tones, with the humans speaking gibberish; another poignant character effort.

"[10] Reviewing for The DVD Journal, Dawn Taylor thought the most memorable line was Flanders's description of the Assassins sneakers: "They've got Velcro straps, a water pump in the tongue, a built-in pedometer, reflective sidewalls and little vanity plates.