Channel 4's The Dog House is one of those shows that just sucks you into every single story it tells, leaving you an emotional wreck – if you're me at least.
The rigged camera show, which draws in over 1m viewers per episode and has even been nominated for a BAFTA, follows the stories of people who come to Woodgreen Pets Charity in Cambridgeshire, looking to give rescue dogs a new, loving home.
Each episode sees expert handlers and advisors work with various families and individuals to find them the perfect furry friend to join their household.
So when I was invited for a behind-the-scenes look at the 43-acre centre following the end of the fourth season, I just had to go and see what it's really like.
I was among the first in the industry to ever be invited to discover what goes on behind closed doors, so it was quite an honour.
On a day when the sun was shining but the wind was unforgiving, we followed the familiar route many eager families have taken before us, leading up to the Welcome Centre.
As I walked in, I felt the excitement people must feel as they are greeted by a friendly team member at the desk. It looks exactly as you'd imagine – but it's actually a lot bigger than you see on screen.
We were led behind the Welcome Desk, where the hopefuls are sent to be interviewed by the staff. I say interviewed because that's exactly what happens. The Woodgreen Pets Charity takes their job extremely seriously, and the decision isn't made as swiftly as it appears on TV.
Lizzie Charnock, a Pet Advisor who appears on the TV show, explained that the segment where the families come to the sofa area to chat to them is actually a tad "dramatised for TV".
As with any show, they carefully edit and only choose the best bits to make for a more dramatic story, when in reality they spend ages "interviewing" people to find out if they are actually a good fit for a specific dog.
Lizzie explained: "They need to know the important things, so do they have a garden or other pets. It usually takes about 45 minutes, and it's cut down to just a few seconds."
I'm surprised by how long this part of the show actually takes, as for the viewer we only get to see staff ask a few questions before coming up with a dog match for them.
Lizzie added: "They are given a three-hour window to speak to them and match them with a dog, but sometimes it does run over."
I think this shows how much care the pet advisors take in making sure they find the perfect dog for the owner – but also the other way around.
According to the pet advisor, they will often have someone who "complains or has an opinion" if they can't match them to the perfect dog, but they have to make sure their home and lifestyle are compatible.
Lizzie added: "They just can't show it all as there are a lot of discussions going on.
"Things are very edited behind the scenes, but we're never compromising on what we do to make TV."
She also added that they are a well-established charity, not just a TV show.
While sitting in the interview area, I spot some of the rigged cameras, which are so hidden they aren't noticeable on TV. You'll be familiar with similar ways of filming on Love Island and First Dates.
"All the cameras are rigged so they aren't in your face. It makes it more natural," Lizzie tells me.
We were then taken to the kennel area, which you don't get to see much of as a viewer. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the dogs are taken care of.
The kennels all have underfloor heating and outside space and indoor space for the dogs to use as they wish. In addition, there are gardens attached to them, with sprinklers in the summer to cool the pooches down.
Of course, there was a lot of dog barking going on as we went past.
Chris Swallow, Dog Section Team Leader, says this is because, as much as the team try to "enrich their lives" at the centre, the dogs are always excited to see people.
One way they try to enrich their lives is to get creative with their feeding methods, putting food in all sorts of objects and not just bowls, which is why we see so many cardboard boxes in various shapes lying around.
Chris adds that all the dogs' lives will be "enriched" in a way that suits their personality. Some will have agility training, while others will be taken for a quiet walk.
He introduced us to three different dogs – and they were all incredibly happy to see us. While playing, cuddling with them, and feeding them treats, it's easy to see why they are so fond of these animals, as I quickly found myself wanting to take them all home with me.
There were also a few dogs that broke my heart, as they looked very sorry for themselves. They're clearly well looked after, but they come from many different backgrounds, and some of them are so nervous they just peep one eye around the corner to see who is walking past.
Chris explained that they are "always at capacity" at Woodgreen, a site that can accommodate up to 500 pets (including small species such as ferrets), and at the moment there are around 100 dogs on the waiting list.
Currently, they are getting a lot of stray Spaniels, Cockerpoos, Lurchers, Chihuahuas, Huskies and French Bulldogs.
As sad as it is, dogs come and go in fashion, and especially with the ongoing cost of living crisis, Woodgreen has seen a surge in dogs who cost more to take care of.
Another thing I was surprised to learn is that Woodgreen will support a dog from the second they enter the charity. Sometimes people come back to collect them after changing their minds, but Woodgreen will still support the owner in any way they need.
After our play session with the pooches, we were taken further behind the scenes with Series Editor Jordan Maloy, who is working with production company Five Mile Films.
Jordan, who has worked on the show since series three, showed us the gallery, where five or six people are sitting at any one time to watch what the cameras are picking up.
The crew was setting up for filming the next day, but it was amazing to see all the cameras picking up on the live action.
Here they start rolling the cameras from the morning until about 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
We were then taken down to the Meeting Pen, where prospective dog owners will usually be bubbling with excitement. In reality, it took only a few minutes to get there, but on the TV show, there's usually always time for some meaningful exchanges as they get excited to meet the dog.
According to Jordan, the contributors have mics attached to them at the start of the day, and they are barely detectable on screen. They also have atmosphere mics hanging in the pen, so it all sounds natural.
In the Pen, there's a giant Love Island-style sofa where the contributors sit while they wait for the dog they are going to meet.
There are also several cameras – and even one at doggy height so they don't miss any adorable footage.
Jordan said: "This is where the dog seekers sit and wait in nervous excitement, take the dog for a walk, and then decide whether they want to take it home."
However, he admits it isn't as instant as it would appear on the TV show.
"They will go for a walk, and then take a few days to decide if they want to take the dog home," he explains.
During the visit, we also got to see a Christmas set, where they are obviously filming some seasonal footage ahead of time – as well as the famous green sofa where the contributor interviews take place.
This room has a different feel to it, as it has a huge camera in front of it, so it will no doubt feel more like a classic interview to the contributors.
The Dog House, which is currently filming its sixth series, is currently looking for new contributors.
When you apply for an appointment at Woodgreen, there is a box to say you're interested in taking part in the show, according to Lizzie.
Woodgreen are currently "absolutely desperate" for kind people to come forward to foster dogs, according to Woodgreen’s communications manager Catie Allwright.
It's completely free, and all costs associated with re-homing, training, and supplies are covered.
If you're keen to hear more, you can head to Woodgreen's website, where you can also find information about donating to the pets who are in need.
