Dogs in Theater: How to Get Them to Play Along

Getting dogs to play along in movies requires the intervention of skilled trainers. Dogs are loyal animals that always seek to serve and make humans happy. Understanding their behavior can make it easy for them to give convincing performances.

Many movies and advertisements have had dogs in the scenes, and they have been impressive.

Being the man’s best friend, acting dogs are proving to be very obedient in films. Building the dog’s confidence requires constant training and treats. Inspiring dedication and expected behavior during movies can be achieved by:

Enhancing Safety Measures

Dog on a play.

The American Humane Association works with directors to ensure dogs’ safety in films. By making them feel safe, the dogs can perform the required tricks for the plot. The use of safety equipment will ensure the dogs trust you as a trainer. Contrary to that, the dogs may misbehave when feeling insecure. It may bark or snap while growling to express fear or nervousness.

Having the owner of the dog during the scene can also enhance trust from the dog. For challenging tricks, the owner can hang around the cast, making the dog comfortable. As a result, the trainer will have an easier time gaining trust from the dog.

Creating a Bond

Man with dog by theatre.

Dogs take relationships seriously like humans. Establishing a bond with the human actors can help the dog to act naturally during the shoot. Introducing the dogs to the actors early enough helps kick-start a relationship.

The actors should also engage the dogs in playful activities, which makes them get used to them. Physical touch should also be a priority since it helps to calm a dog down when around you.

Walking the dog can be very effective, as well as taking hikes. If your production budget allows, a GPS collar can make this easy – especially on a spacious set. This comparison of the Halo Collar and SpotOn Dog Fence shows just how useful a GPS collar can be in this situation. That said, if your budget is a bit on the tighter side then some good old games of fetch can also help create a bond since dogs are very playful.

Talking is also very crucial in creating a bond. Speaking to the dog allows it to read your emotions. It also helps them anticipate your commands, and they will follow instructions easily. It, in turn, creates a bond since they incline to spend more time with the actors.

Training

Conditioned response training is the most important of all factors. You should first ensure that you have experienced trainers. An experienced trainer assures a higher chance of cooperation from the dog.

Most movies have an average of four trainers who will ensure the dog remains focused. These trainers are crucial to ensure that the dog scene unfolds every step of the way.

Secondly, you should practice ensuring that the dog knows what to do. Through guidance on obstacles to encounter, familiarity will be easy in the actual filming. Scenes, where barking takes place, should also receive emphasis at an early stage.

Achieving conditioned training requires:

  • Treats– by giving the dog treats during training, you can motivate them to act accordingly. Treats can also establish trust and signify good performance from the dog.
  • Clicker – this is a device that produces a clicking sound when clicked. They signify good performance when training a dog. You can use them to communicate satisfaction with the dog’s performance.
  • Feed stick- when trying to switch the dog’s attention in the movie, a feed stick is crucial. Usually fitted with treats at the end, the dog can be coaxed to look in different directions.

Step-by-step training– for exceptional results, trainers should use this training method. By teaching the dogs in small chunks, they can catch faster. They also learn how to integrate the different parts leading to better performance.

Dogs are very loyal and intelligent creatures. They help humans get through emotional difficulties. Having dogs as actors will be helpful to the mental health of viewers. They connect to humans on a deeper level and will always have a place in our hearts.