Do you have a spectacular canine that is personable , smart and of course looks good on camera?Many dogs don’t make it, although the movie business and television is always looking for dogs to work. Why?Improper training. Here are a few tips, if you think your dog has a budding film career, on how to train dogs for TV and movies.
Socialization is necessary. There’s lots of activity going on when a dog is on camera such as people racing around, tools, vehicles, and cameras. With all of this going on around them, most dogs are not able to focus and perform on command. They’re curious about the people and equipment. Dogs may be frightened, troubled by the noise, or unsure of their surroundings.
Success requires a well socialized dog. As long as their trainer is present, it means they are comfortable in just about every possible scenario. The process of socialization should begin by the dog’s trainer or owner, at a very early age. Take them with you wherever you go and once the training process has started, train them in unusual situations.
If you’ve just trained your dog to sit, for example , practice having them sit while you are on a walk. You should practice having them sit on a busy city sidewalk, or in a room full of people. Practice sitting while at a dog run. Socialization is an crucial ingredient to train dogs for TV and movies.
Training should be enjoyable . If handled incorrectly, training can become something your dog hates. If this happens there’s no way they’re going to perform on cue when the lights and camera are on them. And, using rough training methods will most likely make people not want to work with you. They want to be in a positive environment where the dogs are happy to be there and are well treated.
Here are three quick tips for making training fun :
1. Positive reinforcement. When your dog does something correct , reward them rather than chastening them for doing something the wrong way. This is a proven training technique. If they are receiving rewards, you dog will be much more willing and possibly eager , to work.
2. Use tasty treats. Dogs train for a few things, verbal rewards such as a “good boy.A belly rub, a pat on the head or food are physical rewards. Find your dog’s favorite food and reserve it for training rewards and you’ll have a motivated and enthusiastic dog.
3. Finish on a happy note. Your dog may not always understand what you want to start with. It might, in fact, take them multiple training sessions to completely comprehend what you are trying to accomplish. Rather than ending each training session on a frustrated note, always end it by doing something your dog knows how to do, even if it’s a simple sit command, and rewarding them.
Hand signals and clicker training. The method used by most dog trainers is clicker training because it works. The sound of a clicker signals to your dog when he’s done something good , and is a much faster signal than a verbal reward like ‘good boy’. Having said that, it may not go over too well on a sound stage hearing that clicker sound or 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. Executing tasks with hand signals and without utilizing a clicker to signal completion is the ultimate goal.
A little forethought, patience, and proper training techniques is needed when searching for answers on how to train dogs for TV and movies. Whether you simply want a well-trained, socialized K9, or looking for a career in front of the camera, you can’t go wrong by making training enjoyable , utilizing a clicker and hand signals for instruction, and socializing your dog.
