After a series of destructive acts, the entire Simpson family loses patience with Santa's Little Helper. Marge and Homer insist on sending the dog to Emily Winthrop's Canine College but Santa's Little Helper proves too unruly and stupid to learn anything. Homer and Marge threaten to give the dog away if he doesn't pass his obedience training, so Bart tries as hard as he can to train him, but Santa's Little Helper refuses to lie down or do any of the other tricks he was taught. Somehow, Bart finally gets through to the dog, who ultimately passes Canine College and stays with the family.