Well iv been studying to be a set deigner on films and television and love it but Iv been approached with the idea of training dogs for film, if I want my lecturer is going to get me in contact with somebody that trains dogs for this but... how does it work?

I know there are agencies that hold your info but would what qualifications do I need to have? I cant see that my degree in art is gunna help or handling the dogs at shows.

Does anybody know of a site with good info in or have done it themselves? 

Triona   

I wouldnt have a clue where to start but that sounds so exciting!
Best of luck with it :)

I know Mick Martin from dog borstal does this perhaps he could be a start point, I saw him on telly recently doing just that he seemed more approchable than he does as the "tuff guy "on dog borstal

Good idea I don't see why I cant try to contact him and see what he says its worth a shot.

Cheerz

good luck i hope you get some help

Signing up with some canine model agencies is a good start. You will ned lots of good photos and to be able to write a kind of "CV" for your dog.

I have not done film work with mine but have known people who do work with other animals, and as regard training the dogs must be well trained (of course) but teaching things like a good sendaway, and targetting, are absolutely essential, as those are the basics for getting a dog from A-B on set.

They should also be very good around other dogs (which ruled mine out when applying), and also totally bombproof in unfamiliar surroundings... they MUST take everything in their stride. That's a big consideration as many dogs get anxious about the fact that on set, there are swinging lighting and mic booms above their heads, not to mention huge cameras moving about with people sitting behind them, and sometimes machines that blow wind, make rain or snow.

They also have to be very social dogs with a genuine ability to get on with people, as they would be working with actors, strangers, all kinds of background personnel, plus also of course some people wearing very weird and scary costumes. They also need a BIG off-switch as most of the time working on set is waiting around - you could wait there for 8 hours and not be called. A restless dog in the background whining and wanting attention is a liability.

I think she's been asked to be a trainer, not that she's interested in doing it with her dogs.

Ive worked in films for 20 yrs and as far as I know animals that are used are usually owned by the ppl who train them. To have a job training dogs for acting you would wither train your own or work for someone who owns and trains them for films etc. I hope you understand my long way of putting it.

> I think she's been asked to be a trainer, not that she's interested in doing it with her dogs.

Fair enough.... I might have misunderstood initially, but it's all stuff the OP may need to know if she goes for it :)