The original did look over saturated, but not completely out of line if this is your vision.
The lighting makes it a bit surreal but isn't that the point?

I do not agree wit the comments about the eye lines in the photo.
The original draws my eye in to the camper, it has the feel this guy just dropped the tailgate and the dog came forward to take a look out. It is natural but not special.
I am not sure what pose the dog could have been in that would have improved it, maybe kicked back and laying down. I have never had a dog that would have an interest at all in a banjo.

i prefer the first over the second, as a dog owner it just feels right.