Things I Learned as a Studio Trainer Part VI: Working with Distractions

In your living room everything is going great. You can get your pet to work at a reasonable distance and it's learning all kinds of new tricks.  But at home there are no distractions. When you bring your pet to the park or on set with workers, noisy lights, and moving equipment, it shuts down and either won't move or just wants to run to you and be near. It doesn't know how to handle distractions.

Agility training will help because there are dogs and people everywhere. I also take my pets to shopping plazas and ask them to perform for the people in stores, near fountains, and just noisy busy area in general. Training in a room with several other pets and trainers can be very rewarding. It requires both you as the trainer and your pet to be able to work with distractions. The boardwalk at the beach or a busy park can be a nice challenge. Never train at a dog park with treats as that is too big of a distraction as all the dogs run towards you for food and a possible fight ensues. You can ask convalescent  or assisted living facilities if your pet can perform for their residents. That is great for training your pet and entertainment for folks.

Noise is the biggest issue for pets on set. Things roar, bang, and strobe. Actors shout and pound things. Cameras are on rails that roll and screech. Phones ring and knocking are done loudly.  All this can be very frightening and many animals that are calm otherwise are freaks on set. The more distractions you and your pet work with the better prepared you will be.

Just a tip: If your pet does become frightened or nervous, don't get nervous with it. Just calming speak to it. Pet or stroke it gently to reassure it and NEVER pick it up or Hug it. That only justifies its fear and will make your battle worse. Work them through it reassuringly.

I did a scene with 8 other dogs once. Dogs were running, barking, jumping, etc., etc., and my dog had to run specifically through the middle of them all. She also has had a scene with a high school band was playing and marching during it. She had to run with a soccer team who were kicking a ball back and forth and she had to follow one player specifically and not be afraid of a ball coming by her that was much the same size as her. But my favorite was the guy in a giant bear costume that raised up tall and growled while she ate out of a bag of Doritos.

So doing tricks in your living room isn't usually going to get your pet many parts. But get them to perform for a crowd and you may have a chance.

Part VII: The Bond it Requires.