While some critics noted that the pacing could still be a bit unpredictable—slowing down toward the end—most agreed it was a significant step up from the first two episodes.
"A very solid episode" and the "high mark of the season" at that point.
Fear the Walking Dead: Let's Talk About “The Dog” (S1E3)
Reviewers from Gabbing Geek highlighted the introduction of the Salazar family as a key highlight, noting that the forced tension between the Clark/Manawa and Salazar families feels authentic.
Daniel Salazar's pragmatism, specifically when he takes decisive action against a walker, was widely cited as a favorite moment, marking him as one of the few characters with the "guts" to survive. Typical Scores Gabbing Geek: 8 to 8.5 out of 10.
is generally viewed by critics and fans as the point where the series finally "turns up the volume" on the apocalypse . Reviewers often praise its shift from a slow burn to a more visceral sense of dread and mounting chaos. Critical Consensus