How To Train Dogs For TV And Movies

History of Dogs In Showbiz

Do you have a attractive and smart canine, and of course, looks sensational on camera?Many dogs don’t make it, although the movie business and television is always searching for dogs to work. Why?Not being properly trained is the main reason. Here are a few dog training tips for TV and movies, if you think you dog might have a budding film career.

Socialization is of the utmost importance. When a dog is on camera there are people racing around, tools, vehicles, cameras, and lots of activity. With all of this going on around them, most dogs are not able to focus and perform on command. They have a natural curiosity about the equipment and people. They’re distracted by the noise and they may be frightened or unsure of their surroundings.

To be successful, a dog must be well socialized. Meaning, as long as their trainer is there , they are comfortable in most every possible situation . As your dog’s trainer, and owner, you’ll want to start the socialization process at a very young age. Take them with you wherever you go and once the training process has started, train them in unusual situations.

For instance, if you’ve just trained your dog to sit, practice having them sit while you’re on a walk. You should practice having them sit on a busy city sidewalk, or in a room full of people. You might have them sit while on a dog run. Socialization is an essential ingredient to train dogs for TV and movies.

Training should be enjoyable . Incorrectly administered training can cause your dog to learn to hate it. If this happens there’s no way they’re going to perform on cue when the lights and camera are on them. People most likely will not want to work with you, if your training methods are harsh. A positive environment, where the dogs are happy to be there, and well treated, is where they prefer to be.

Here are three quick tips for making training pleasant :

1. Positive reinforcement. Don’t chastise your dog for doing something incorrectly, but instead , reward them for doing something the correctly.  This is a proven training method . The method works, and if receiving rewards, your dog is much more willing and perhaps even eager , to work.

2. Use tasty treats. Dogs train for a few things, verbal rewards such as a “good boy.A pat on the head, a belly rub, and food are physical rewards. By finding your dog’s favorite food and reserving it as a reward for training, you will find that you have a motivated and enthusiastic dog.

3. You should always end on a pleasant note. Dogs don’t always understand the first time what you want. In fact, it can take them several training sessions to understand what you’re trying to accomplish. End training by doing something your dog knows how to do, such as a easy sit command along with a reward, instead of finishing on a frustrated note.

Clicker training and hand signals. Dog trainers use the clicker training method most often, because it works. The noise a clicker makes is much faster than a verbal reward like ‘good boy’ and it signals to your dog when they’ve done something good. That being said, the clicking noise may not go over too well on a sound stage and neither will you telling your dog to sit from back stage. Make sure to include hand signals with your commands when training dogs for TV and movies, and gradually wean the use of the clicker as your dog perfects the trick. The ultimate goal being that they can perform the task with a hand signal and to be able to perform a task without a clicker signaling completion.

When searching for answers on how to train dogs for TV and movies, the answer is patience, a little forethought, and proper training techniques. Whether training your dog for a career in front of a camera, or simply desiring a well-trained, socialized dog , the use of a clicker and hand signals should be utilized to instruct your dog and training should be made pleasant.