Acting is no longer a career solely meant for human beings; dogs can pursue it as wel! While it may sound surprising, canine actors are all over the showbiz today. They are even earning thousands of dollars for starring in commercials, TV shows, etc. Yes, you read it right; dog acting is hot!
Imagine seeing your family dog in a TV commercial, Netflix series, or even in a major motion picture. Wouldn't it be absolutely amazing? If you have a cute and talented four-legged fur baby, the entertainment industry can be the next big thing for them.
All you need to do is take some steps in the right direction to get your adorable dog their big break. This article will walk you through five essential steps that you need to take to make your pooch the next Chris Hems-woof of the entertainment world!
Let's get started!
1. Looks and Temperament are Very Important
Looks and appearances are two of the essential elements for becoming an actor. It is true for both humans as well as canine actors. If your pooch doesn't look healthy, eye-appealing, and happy, no casting director would likely be interested in hiring them.
So, make sure to groom your dog and make regular visits to the vet to ensure that your dog is free from all kinds of diseases and enjoys excellent health.
Additionally, before you take your pooch to their first audition, it's essential to understand whether or not they are meant for all the limelight that showbiz has to offer. Apart from good looks, an ideal temperament is necessary for a canine to have a successful acting career.
Try to take your dog out of the house environment regularly, make them familiar with strangers, and work on their behavior. Make sure your dog has high concentration power, is not easily stressed by loud noises and crowds, and can easily follow voice commands and hand gestures. If your four-legged companion can do all of this, the way to the red carpet would become a lot easier!
2. Focus on Your Dog’s Training
Another essential thing that you need to ensure is that your dog receives excellent training and develops obedience skills. Besides good looks, training is the second most crucial thing that casting directors want in a dog actor.
Acting and modeling is a very demanding and stressful career. Your dog will need to interact with multiple strangers, work with them regularly, be on set for hours, and follow strict schedules and commands. Thus, a dog needs to be well-trained to thrive in the entertainment industry.
To be a successful actor, your dog must be able to perform tricks while being off-leash. They should also follow commands like "sit", "speak", "hit a mark", "lay down", and so on. Additionally, your pooch must also be well-versed with different hand cues if you are not there to give voice commands.
There are several training agencies and acting classes that you can get your pet enrolled in. These classes help develop concentration power, command-following skills, confidence, etc. These classes also teach your pet how to interact with other actors confidently and follow their cues while being on the set.
3. Social Media For the Win!
No one can deny the power that social media holds today! Using different social media platforms can showcase your dog's talents to the entire world. You can capture your dog and post interesting reels and Stories on Instagram or make creative videos for TikTok. Social networks can even turn your pet into an overnight sensation if you are lucky.
By being active on social media, you will be able to build a unique brand around your pooch. In addition, if you constantly post unique and engaging content, there are chances that some pet brands might approach your dog for a small project. All these projects, brand associations, social media following, etc., will eventually help your dog get a good acting gig later.
4. Get in Touch With a Talent Agency or Professional Trainers
While social media can help you build an online presence of your dog, you will need some guidance and help to score a decent canine acting gig. Consider getting in touch with a talent agency or professional trainer for this.
You can google the popular pet talent agencies in your area and get in touch with those you like. Then, make sure to build an impressive dog resume along with some attractive headshots of your four-pawed companion and submit it to these agencies.
Hollywood production managers and casting directors often contact these talent agencies when they require pet actors. Thus, a talent agent can help your dog find a legitimate acting project.
5. Try to Find Dog Acting Gigs by Yourself
Let's face it, hiring a dog agent isn't cheap. You will have to spend a significant amount hiring a talent agent for your pooch. Even then, the results aren't guaranteed.
So, if you want to avoid hiring a talent agent, you can look up some dog-acting gigs yourself too! Booking acting or modeling jobs for your dog is not as complicated as it may sound. You can get started by simply reviewing at your local Craigslist. You will often find people looking for dogs for video and short film projects there.
You can also join platforms like dogfluence.com to connect with amazing dogfluencers and dog brands. Your registration for unique campaigns can get brand collaborations for your adorable pup!
Additionally, if you have some friends in the entertainment industry, contacting them can be a great idea too. They can notify you about any pet acting opportunities and auditions. Make sure to always be prepared with your dog's resume and headshots if an exciting opportunity pops up.
Summing Up
So that was all about getting your pup into acting in five easy steps. With some hard work, a pinch of luck, and strategic planning, your pooch can make a great entry into showbiz!
If you want to kickstart your dog's acting journey by participating in exciting campaigns and getting in touch with some popular dog brands, make sure to check out dogfluence.com.