Who Gets the Dog? 2016

The film centers on a divorcing couple, Dr Olive Greene Alicia Silverstone and Clay Lonnergan Ryan Kwanten, who are locked in a battle over the custody of their beloved dog, Wesley. Wesley, a golden Labrador, isn’t just a pet in their lives—he’s the shared heartbeat of their family, and both Olive and Clay fear losing the one thing that still anchors their connection.

When Olive grows tired of Clay’s immaturity, she makes the difficult decision to kick him out of the house, sending him to a trailer by the lake where the quiet surroundings contrast with the upheaval of their split. The dog’s care becomes the central thread binding their choices, and both sides seek help to shape Wesley’s behavior—Olive turning to a dog trainer while Clay grapples with how to handle their fracturing relationship.

Olive’s path leads to Glenn Randall Batinkoff, a confident dog trainer who quickly tames Wesley’s impulses and, in the process, piques Olive’s interest. The trainer’s presence adds a new dynamic to the escalating tension between Olive and Clay, as personal feelings begin to blur with practical arrangements for the dog.

Meanwhile, Clay enlists his best friend Rhett Matty Ryan to help him document Wesley’s antics for a video. The footage underscores just how unmanageable the dog can be when not given clear boundaries, complicating Clay’s efforts to prove he’s capable of handling parenthood and responsibility.

After another round of sessions with the pet professional, a bid for reconciliation flickers between them. Yet the arrival of Glenn unannounced—revealing that he and Olive are dating—draws a sharp line under any fragile hopes for a quick fix. The revelation challenges both Olive and Clay to reconsider what they want from each other and from Wesley.

A street festival becomes the stage for a renewed attempt at winning Olive back. Clay’s attempts at charm collide with Glenn’s interference, culminating in a tense moment where Olive must intervene and calm the situation, leaving her unsettled by the way Clay handles himself.

The tension peaks in the courtroom, where adoption papers are presented and a judge rules in Clay’s favor. The decision intensifies the sense that Wesley’s welfare may drive the next phase of their lives, even as the personal rift between Olive and Clay deepens.

As Clay’s career advances with a promotion to the big leagues, Wesley unexpectedly goes missing. A frantic search ensues, and the dog is eventually found in a homeless shelter, surrounded by people living on the edge of society. This crisis forces Olive and Clay to face what they owe to their pet and to each other.

During Clay’s first game after the promotion, an injury brings the focus back to the dog. He relies on Rhett once more, arranging for Wesley to be returned to Olive. A hospital visit follows, where Olive’s presence and a quiet, meaningful kiss with Clay hint at a rekindled connection.

In the end, the couple chooses to suspend the divorce proceedings and recommits to their relationship. The film closes on a note of renewed family life, with the hopeful implication that they may expand their family with a baby, suggesting a brighter, more stable future together.