Many of today's
most adored actors have literally pawed their way to the top. While they
might not get to wag their tails on the Oscar red carpet, dogs are Hollywood's
"best friend."
From their leading
roles in motion pictures to television work, canine actors are hot commodities,
fetching millions for the studios and networks. This animal attraction
has turned the furry and four-legged into superstars and opened up a world
of opportunity for pooches looking to break into showbiz.
Even if your
pet doesn't aspire to be the next Lassie or Rin Tin Tin, he, or she, can
still learn a thing or two from Hollywood's canine Brat Pack.
Tricks of the
Trade
Whether they
are born into show business, like Enzo, the adorable son of Moose who stars
on TV's "Frasier" as Eddie, or enjoy a rags-to-riches rise to stardom,
Hollywood dogs owe their success to good looks and, more importantly, temperament.
"Canine actors
are in many ways just like any other dog," says Gary Gero, founder and
owner of Birds and Animals Unlimited, a Los Angeles animal talent agency
that provides animal training and coordination services to the entertainment
industry.
"What sets
them apart is their fearless nature, high energy and ability to be relaxed
and focused despite lights, noise and strangers."
Pups that possess
these qualities are rare. Gero has been training animals for nearly 40
years and admits that it is not uncommon to work with 10 or more dogs before
finding that diamond in the "ruff."
In terms of
training, Gero says directors look for animals that know basic obedience
(sit, stay, down, come), can bark on command, crawl backwards, retrieve
objects and go to a mark or target. Additional training can give a dog
a competitive edge in landing a role, he says.
"Depending on
what the script calls for, we usually have to teach a specific behavior
and new tricks, which may take many months," explains Gero, who is in England
wrangling with a Neapolitan Mastiff and other critters on the set of the
film "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets."
Along with a
willingness to learn, attractiveness or a special look can be a pooch's
ticket to stardom, Gero says. "It all depends what the director is looking
for.
Some scripts
specify a certain breed, while others just describe the animal's character
and then we find a dog that best fits the profile," he says.
In addition
to representing stars like the Jack Russell terrier who plays "Eddie" and
earning feature credits in films such as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone," "Dr. Doolittle I and II and "101and 102 Dalmatians," Gero and his
team of top animal trainers have established safety protocol and standards
of care for animals utilized in the motion-picture industry.
"We are committed
to doing whatever it takes to keep our animals happy and healthy," Gero
says.
Let's Do Lunch
Looking and
performing like a star means dining like one. How do dog owners select
the canine cuisine that is right for their aspiring star?
"My dogs endure
long days in front of the camera, so it's essential they get a complete
and nutritional diet that will provide the energy they need with the added
benefit of shiny coats," explains Gero. "Unfortunately, most of the commercial
dog foods on the market fail to deliver the right nutritional results my
dogs need. I've learned to look beyond all the marketing hype and focus
on what's inside the bag."
But with so
many manufacturers citing similar ingredients on their labels, it can be
difficult to determine which food is better.
Biochemist Dr.
Robert Bingham suggests the answer is in the processing and handling of
the ingredients.
Bingham is the
director of new product development for Bil-Jac Foods Inc. (www.biljac.com/),
a dog food company that has fed its share of Hollywood hounds, including
"Eddie" and the stars of the Disney comedy, "Snow Dogs."
"Everything
from how the food is processed to how it's packaged and stored -- even
exposure to light -- can have a negative impact on the nutritional quality
of the food," Bingham says. "That's why it's important for pet owners to
educate themselves and understand how these things can damage the food,
especially when dogs rely on a single source for their daily nourishment."
Many dog food
companies, Bingham explains, cook their ingredients under high-pressure
high-heat conditions that literally cook away nutrients, like vital amino
acids. Instead, Bingham recommends pet owners look for a dog food that
has been cooked slowly using lower temperatures, protecting amino acids
from heat damage. Fat should occur naturally in fresh meat ingredients
-- never added -- to provide ultimate nutrition, he says.
A dog's appearance
and behavior are good indicators of whether he is getting the right nutrition.
"Dogs that are
fed a premium dog food have healthy skin and coats and lots of energy.
Dogs with less nutritious diets can be lethargic, have itchy skin and exhibit
behavior problems, such as digging through the garbage," Bingham says.
Have Your People
Call My People
For well-nourished
pets who think they have what it takes, HollywoodPaws.com (www.hollywoodpaws.com)
is a Web site designed to help dogs and other furry friends find fame in
movies, TV shows or commercials. All Fido has to do is convince his human
companion to create a "pet portfolio" and post it to the site.
Animal trainers
and casting agents looking for actors can access the portfolios, which
should include a photo, breed, size, credentials, professional work and
training. The portfolios, as well as a quarterly newsletter, acting tips
and information on casting calls, are free.
Competition
on the site is stiff. There is a Jack Russell terrier that can pull tissues
from a box; a border collie that climbs trees; an Alaskan malamute that
can jump through hoops; and a 140-pound Newfoundland that boasts a 75-word
training vocabulary. "We want to help people get closer to having a Rin
Tin Tin in their household," says company owner-creator Steve Kelley.
"The site helps
directors cast a wider net to find that perfect animal."
The best way
to get work for your animal is to connect with a trainer who has past credits
in the business, admits Kelley.
"Most producers
or directors will go to a trainer they know, then that trainer will get
a dog through their connections," he says.
Animal acting
isn't the way to get rich. "There isn't a union," notes Kelly. "The minimum
for a shoot is usually $25 an hour, although dogs with special skills can
earn $500 a day or more."
So whether your
pooch fetches fame and fortune in Hollywood or is content with his role
as couch potato, there is no denying that a dog's life is just a bowl of
cherries -- or in this case, biscuits.
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Information Courtesy of
ARA Content
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