"Bart's Dog Gets an F" is the sixteenth episode of The Simpsons' second season, airing on March 7, 1991. The music video for Do the Bartman aired afterward.

[edit] Plot

Lisa has the mumps and has to spend a few days home from school. While Marge teaches her sewing, Homer goes to the mall to buy some magazines for her. There he sees and purchases some expensive shoes known as 'Assassins', which he saw Ned Flanders with earlier. The next day, he buys a giant cookie.

Marge shows Lisa a patchwork quilt, which is a family heirloom. Lisa makes her own contribution to it, but then Santa's Little Helper (Frank Welker in his first appearance) rips it up, also destroying the shoes and cookie. Homer wants to get rid of the dog, but Lisa convinces them to take him to an obedience school first.

Santa's Little Helper does not do well at the Obedience School as Bart is unwilling to use a choke chain. The night before the final exam, Bart and Santa's Little Helper play, thinking it will be their last few hours together. This bonding breaks down the communication barrier, allows Santa's Little Helper to understand Bart's commands, and to pass obedience school. Lisa marks the occasions by creating a new quilt to replace the one destroyed.

[edit] Cultural references

This episode's title is a reference to a previous episode, "Bart Gets an F".
Ms. Botz (from the episode Some Enchanted Evening) was seen on a news report when Santa's Little Helper was chewing on the television remote.
Predator: When we switch to Santa's Little Helper's point of view, we hear a little explosion sound. The same sound is used in the movie when we switch to the Predator's point of view.
The Cosby Show: Dr. Hibbert's home and family bear a more-than-coincidental similarity to a program that competed with The Simpsons for the Thursday 8pm time slot.
Buffalo Bill Cody's `Wild West Show': The second frame in the Bouvier Family Quilt.
Death of a Loyalist Soldier (photograph by Robert Capa): The third frame in the Bouvier Family Quilt.
Jaws: Dramatic music just before Santa's Little Helper attacks something.
The dog obedience school have different categories named after famous dogs, which are Rin Tin Tin, Benji, Toto and the one in which Santa's Little Helper attends, Cujo.
One of the dogs seen in the graduation ceremony is named after Lao Tzu.
When Lisa shows Marge her finger the music from the film E.T. plays.