Primetime Pets
Primetime Pets
Does your pet have what it takes to be the next
Bob “Barker” or “Woofie” Goldberg?
By Greg Presto
When you’re channel surfing and a “Lassie” rerun comes up, do you find yourself imagining your pooch warning Timmy about the girl stuck in the well? Do you picture your kitty chitchatting with “Sabrina” or your bird bunking with “Baretta?” Do you look at your buddy and think, “My pet has got...IT. He’s a star!”
You’re not the only one who thinks so.
“Your pet is like a diamond in the rough,” says Bash Dibra, celebrity animal trainer and author of Star Pet, a how-to guide to making your furry friend famous. “With love and training, we can make them shine like a star.”
As the number of television shows, movies, and publications increases, the demand for animals to use in media grows as well. Dibra says that with more and more parts becoming available, there’s a greater chance that your pet could achieve some level of fame.
“For a long time, there were only a few people who could train dogs and book them,” says the celebrity trainer, who has lent his talents to the pets of Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez, not to mention casting animals in commercials, TV shows, and films. “But the industry is changing, and I believe it is important to invite the public to participate.”
Don’t rush out to Tinseltown just yet
Just because your pet has the look or the personality to be a star doesn’t mean he or she is ready. Animal stars aren’t just born: They’re made. And it all starts with training. Dibra’s book outlines a number of different training methods, from basic commands like “sit” and “stay” to stunt and agility work.
While your pet must be obedient to follow a director’s command, an animal who’s too finely tuned can seem almost mechanical, warns Samantha Martin, an animal trainer and creator of Amazing Animals, an agency that offers show training and casting services for pets.
“You don’t want a dog or cat that’s too well-trained, or they won’t act natural,” Martin says. “The animal needs to be flexible and look like a real dog. You don’t want him to be on automatic.”
A pet-actor’s lifestyle doesn’t end with sit, stay, and roll over. Stars must be ready for the spotlight, and Martin says that most beginner pets need a lesson to learn these skills. “Most work for animal actors is in photo shoots, so they’ve got to be OK with a flash going off,” Martin says. “Go to a pet photographer to get professional shots done to see how the animal reacts.”
Animal actors must also be ready to deal with their adoring public, so good socialization is important. Martin recommends group classes and having multiple animals in the home to help work around distraction issues.
“Doing a lot when the animal is young—during the formative months—is key, because that’s when they develop fears,” Martin says. “If you take them with you to lots of different places, your pet won’t be scared of crowds and lights and supermarkets. They’ll learn to be social and fearless.”
There’s more to it than being red-carpet ready
To be cast in any role—from a Fresh Step ad to “Frasier”— your pet needs experience and exposure. Dibra suggests giving back to the community, performing in front of crowds at schools and outreach centers to gain valuable experience, and to cull some press coverage. Martin suggests low-budget or nobudget films that get your pet on camera. “A lot of independent films can’t afford animals, so an inexperienced pet can do the film for as little as $50,” she says. “Some guardians will even donate their time just to gain experience for their pet.”
Experience and charisma aren’t everything, though: A pet’s guardian is often just as important in a casting decision. “Often, it’s not so much what the animal’s like as what the person’s like,” says Stacey Hawk, cofounder and cochair of the Chicago Dog Advisory Work Group (DAWG) in Chicago. “Casting people don’t want ‘stage moms.’”
Hawk’s German Shepherds, Kira and Bravo, have played guard dogs on the Fox TV drama “Prison Break.” Her dogs appeared in two episodes in the show’s fall season, in a prison riot scene and in a chase scene.
“It was really cool to see the dogs running in the chase scene,”
Hawk says. “The show’s trainers made it look like they knew what they were doing, when they were really just running because everyone else was.”
Hawk says the experience was wonderful for Kira and Bravo, as the show went to great lengths to ensure the safety of the animals, a common practice on film and TV sets. The American Humane Association, for example, has certified Animal Safety Representatives on set to protect all animal actors and is famous for the “no animals were harmed” tagline used in film and TV credits. Hawks says a member of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was on hand for the entire shoot to ensure proper treatment.
“They’re very intense about the treatment of the dogs, concerned about overexertion and overheating,” Hawk says. "Everyone caters to them. They’ll even delay shooting for the animal’s well-being.”
Despite the many positive aspects of the experience, Hawk has no intention of making acting a career for her German Shepherds. Besides the limited pay—Hawk did the show for free as a favor to a friend—appearing on such a show can involve a lot of waiting.
“We were on standby for about two months before they called us in for the scene,” she says. “And when they finally did, we sat on the set for 16 hours for about one hour of shooting with the dog. It’s like watching paint dry.”
Martin concurs. “The biggest downfall is that there are a lot of calls at the last second,” she says. “You’ll get a call for a job tomorrow, and the guardian might not be available. And when you find a similar animal that can rearrange their schedule, they can call and cancel. It’s frustrating.”
Besides the tests of patience, having a star pet won’t pay the bills. Most jobs pay less than $500. But Hawk, Dibra, and Martin—who, combined, have had pets appear on “The Tonight Show” and in award-winning independent films—feel the experience is still rewarding.
“It’s a great learning experience, and it’s a fascinating day,” Hawk says. “And to be part of a show—and a good show at that—is fun.”
You’re not the only one who thinks so.
“Your pet is like a diamond in the rough,” says Bash Dibra, celebrity animal trainer and author of Star Pet, a how-to guide to making your furry friend famous. “With love and training, we can make them shine like a star.”
As the number of television shows, movies, and publications increases, the demand for animals to use in media grows as well. Dibra says that with more and more parts becoming available, there’s a greater chance that your pet could achieve some level of fame.
“For a long time, there were only a few people who could train dogs and book them,” says the celebrity trainer, who has lent his talents to the pets of Sarah Jessica Parker and Jennifer Lopez, not to mention casting animals in commercials, TV shows, and films. “But the industry is changing, and I believe it is important to invite the public to participate.”
Don’t rush out to Tinseltown just yet
Just because your pet has the look or the personality to be a star doesn’t mean he or she is ready. Animal stars aren’t just born: They’re made. And it all starts with training. Dibra’s book outlines a number of different training methods, from basic commands like “sit” and “stay” to stunt and agility work.
While your pet must be obedient to follow a director’s command, an animal who’s too finely tuned can seem almost mechanical, warns Samantha Martin, an animal trainer and creator of Amazing Animals, an agency that offers show training and casting services for pets.
“You don’t want a dog or cat that’s too well-trained, or they won’t act natural,” Martin says. “The animal needs to be flexible and look like a real dog. You don’t want him to be on automatic.”
A pet-actor’s lifestyle doesn’t end with sit, stay, and roll over. Stars must be ready for the spotlight, and Martin says that most beginner pets need a lesson to learn these skills. “Most work for animal actors is in photo shoots, so they’ve got to be OK with a flash going off,” Martin says. “Go to a pet photographer to get professional shots done to see how the animal reacts.”
Animal actors must also be ready to deal with their adoring public, so good socialization is important. Martin recommends group classes and having multiple animals in the home to help work around distraction issues.
“Doing a lot when the animal is young—during the formative months—is key, because that’s when they develop fears,” Martin says. “If you take them with you to lots of different places, your pet won’t be scared of crowds and lights and supermarkets. They’ll learn to be social and fearless.”
There’s more to it than being red-carpet ready
To be cast in any role—from a Fresh Step ad to “Frasier”— your pet needs experience and exposure. Dibra suggests giving back to the community, performing in front of crowds at schools and outreach centers to gain valuable experience, and to cull some press coverage. Martin suggests low-budget or nobudget films that get your pet on camera. “A lot of independent films can’t afford animals, so an inexperienced pet can do the film for as little as $50,” she says. “Some guardians will even donate their time just to gain experience for their pet.”
Experience and charisma aren’t everything, though: A pet’s guardian is often just as important in a casting decision. “Often, it’s not so much what the animal’s like as what the person’s like,” says Stacey Hawk, cofounder and cochair of the Chicago Dog Advisory Work Group (DAWG) in Chicago. “Casting people don’t want ‘stage moms.’”
Hawk’s German Shepherds, Kira and Bravo, have played guard dogs on the Fox TV drama “Prison Break.” Her dogs appeared in two episodes in the show’s fall season, in a prison riot scene and in a chase scene.
“It was really cool to see the dogs running in the chase scene,”
Hawk says. “The show’s trainers made it look like they knew what they were doing, when they were really just running because everyone else was.”
Hawk says the experience was wonderful for Kira and Bravo, as the show went to great lengths to ensure the safety of the animals, a common practice on film and TV sets. The American Humane Association, for example, has certified Animal Safety Representatives on set to protect all animal actors and is famous for the “no animals were harmed” tagline used in film and TV credits. Hawks says a member of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was on hand for the entire shoot to ensure proper treatment.
“They’re very intense about the treatment of the dogs, concerned about overexertion and overheating,” Hawk says. "Everyone caters to them. They’ll even delay shooting for the animal’s well-being.”
Despite the many positive aspects of the experience, Hawk has no intention of making acting a career for her German Shepherds. Besides the limited pay—Hawk did the show for free as a favor to a friend—appearing on such a show can involve a lot of waiting.
“We were on standby for about two months before they called us in for the scene,” she says. “And when they finally did, we sat on the set for 16 hours for about one hour of shooting with the dog. It’s like watching paint dry.”
Martin concurs. “The biggest downfall is that there are a lot of calls at the last second,” she says. “You’ll get a call for a job tomorrow, and the guardian might not be available. And when you find a similar animal that can rearrange their schedule, they can call and cancel. It’s frustrating.”
Besides the tests of patience, having a star pet won’t pay the bills. Most jobs pay less than $500. But Hawk, Dibra, and Martin—who, combined, have had pets appear on “The Tonight Show” and in award-winning independent films—feel the experience is still rewarding.
“It’s a great learning experience, and it’s a fascinating day,” Hawk says. “And to be part of a show—and a good show at that—is fun.”
