dog
Carter is watching his girlfriend’s dog while she’s away, but Matt is hesitant to get close after Eve left for Korea. Meanwhile, Riley gets fed up with how territorial Matt can be, and Gabe and Amelie discuss moving in together.
Warning: Spoilers below.
Dog Watching
Carter has agreed to watch his girlfriend’s dog, but Matt doesn’t want a dog in her house. Riley is surprised because he loved dogs when she was younger. He points out that he loves big dogs but this is a small one that he doesn’t like. Plus, Carter’s girlfriend has her dog on a vegan diet (there’s a reason for this but Matt hasn’t listened.) Riley starts thinking about moving the family out of the house because she doesn’t want to live under a “my way or the highway” mindset.
Disney/Raymond Liu
Riley goes apartment hunting with the kids, but they don’t seem to be thrilled with the apartment at which they are looking. Neither Carter nor Georgia want to leave Matt’s house. They are enjoying getting to see their grandfather more often and don’t want to move around a lot like they did when they were living in Las Vegas. This gives Riley a lot about which to think.
Gabe and Amelie
While this is going on, Gabe and Amelie are discussing their relationship. They decide to move in together. However, Gabe starts having second thoughts. His words keep hinting about how much he cares for Amelie and wants to be with her. But his actions show someone who isn’t sure about the choice they are making.
Disney/Raymond Liu
Riley visits him after apartment hunting and they discuss all his stuff that he’s trying to toss to make his place a home for both him and Amelie. He freaks out and tells Amelie he can’t move in with her. Amelie is hurt and confused and she and Riley discuss why he’s freaking out. Since Riley grew up with Gabe, she knows what each thing he’s tossing means to him. She explains his tough childhood and why these small things matter. Gabe and Amelie make up, and Riley sneaks out with a vase she had originally bought for her home with Matt but was going to give them as a housewarming present.
Dog Bonding
Matt ends up at home alone with the dog while everyone is out. At first, he doesn’t want to get close, but he ends up letting the dog into the house and bonding. It becomes clear his anger and frustration he’s been letting out has been due to Eve leaving right after he told her he loved her. The dog serves as therapy for Matt. However, there’s a problem. He’s been sharing his food with the dog that includes meat. Carter and Georgia return home and explain the dog is allergic to meat. It then vomits more than its body weight and they take the dog to the vet.
Disney/Raymond Liu
The vet gives the dog a clean bill of health and they return home. When Riley returns, Matt tells her she can put her vase in “our house.” Riley is surprised but figures out that Matt loves having his family back and doesn’t want to drive them off. The next day, Riley tries out the vase on the coffee table. When Carter’s girlfriend arrives to pick up her dog, Matt calls it over to say goodbye and the dog knocks the vase off the coffee table, breaking it. Matt says the dog really is “man’s best friend.”
What’s Next?
This was a solid episode that showed Matt’s conservative gruffness but ultimately softens him like many other older men I’ve known over the years. It demonstrates how headstrong Riley can be but also how much she still loves her father and loves the bond that’s being created between her dad and her kids. The Gabe-Amelie diversion is getting a bit tiresome since it’s clear that Gabe and Riley are the endgame of the show. Still, “will they, won’t they” romances only work if they “won’t” for a little while before they “will.” And Carter and Georgia need to become more fully formed characters. Still, the show is working well enough but could be so much more.
Check out Shifting Gears on ABC, Disney Plus and Hulu.
Article Written By: Jeremy Brown for Stelmach Brown Media 2026
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