Tricked Out: Is Your Dog Ready for Hollywood?
Your pup quickly mastered obedience class basics and could run an agility course with his eyes closed (scary thought). Now he’s bored and looking to catch his next big break in the super-competitive industry of people-pleasing. What’s a helicopter pet parent to do?
This article gave us a crazy idea: acting classes for canines. Sure, the thought merits a laugh or two, but how do you think Otis, Beethoven and Wishbone made it big?
Getting your Terrier to Tinseltown won’t happen overnight, but in case you’re the least bit curious (we were!), here’s how you’d get the cameras rolling.
1. Find an acting class
Zoom Room, an agility training center and canine social club with branches in Los Angeles and Austin, offers a Hollywood Tricks class that teaches your star-to-be acting basics, like playing dead, along with some valuable life skills, like fetching a cold beer from the fridge or answering your cell phone. Bon Clyde (NC) and 24K Retrievers (FL) teach similar courses that will prep your pup for stage work—performing tasks based on hand signals given from the sidelines.
2. Get him an agent
When you’re confident that your pooch won’t embarrass you (“I swear he could sit this morning!”), and you’ve armed yourself with a stack of his glamor shots, get that little guy noticed. Pet talent agencies, like Hollywood Paws, are on the hunt for a unique and memorable look (read: mutts welcome) along with an eager to please attitude.
3. Audition away
Scour the ‘net for opportunities (most will be in the Los Angeles area, naturally). Keep in mind that it’s not all about movies. Don’t turn your nose up at an audition for a commercial, TV series, independent film, or even a theater production.
Cut!
So it turns out that your pup’s not the next Eddie or Air Bud. Don’t worry. Keep working on simple tasks, and maybe one day a hidden talent will surface.
If your pooch could use an obedience brush-up instead of a private dressing room, give these scripts a read.
Basic Dog Training: Come here!
Training Your Dog to Keep Off the Furniture
Totally Doable Ways to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking
Training Your Dog to Stop Jumping on People
You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks; Talking to Expert Trainer Janice Patton
