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When Asker met Marley, the moment linked the world of film dogs with the people who train them. In Toronto, animal trainer Mathilde De Cagny, known for her work with dogs in THE FIRM, FRAISER, MY DOG SKIP, and BACK TO THE FUTURE, talked about her craft on MARLEY & ME. She visited The Mag HQ with Marley’s canine star Brody, and Asker, the magazine’s dog specialist, was thrilled to meet them and ask a few questions.
WOOF! WOOF!
Spoilers ahead for Marley & Me and My Dog Skip. If you haven’t watched the films, you may want to pause here.
ASKER: How many dogs were involved in the making of MARLEY & ME?
MATHILDE: Twenty-two dogs.
A: You were in charge of all of them?
M: No. I supervised years one through seven, which involved five different dogs.
A: What was your favourite scene to work on?
M: Possibly the hardest scene, the necklace moment. It was a tease, a Marley thing to do.
A: What is the process like? For example, in the chase scene, did you practice or just wing it?
M: There is a balance. You want to keep it as natural as possible. Training builds confidence. I used a lot of simulation, but never the whole sequence rehearsed, because a more spontaneous reaction comes when parts are not fully rehearsed.
A: How many times did it take to do the chase scene?
M: I think we did about three takes. The director felt the first two captures were the best.
A: Do you ever get sad when you see the dog pretend to be injured or even die?
M: Are you kidding? The whole crew cried through the shoot. We were all in tears, and honestly I don’t watch those scenes. I did MY DOG SKIP, and the real dog’s passing at the end makes watching impossible for me.
A: How many tricks does Brody know?
M: About twenty or so. Some dogs are trained for specific tasks, others for a broader range.
A: Do dog actors have unions like human actors?
M: No. What exists is animal regulation under the SPCA, which ensures the production doesn’t ask too much of the dog, that they have water and shade, and so on. After that, the decision rests on us to use good judgment if the dog has had enough.
A: Should there be acting award ceremonies for animals that do great jobs?
M: There used to be awards for dogs, called Paddy’s Award, but PETA stopped it because they oppose animals working.
A: Where do you find the dogs used in movies?
M: We rescue many dogs. Brody came from a shelter, as did four others from MARLEY & ME. They get to have a much better life after filming.
A: If you think your dog is showbiz worthy, how do you get them into the game?
M: That’s a tough question. It’s not simply about the pet. A professional path involves insurance, working with actors, and more. We train our own dogs. If someone wants to train a dog for print advertising, they need a dog accustomed to many places, not just at home. Train them in the park, in a shopping center, anywhere you find different situations so they become comfortable everywhere.
A: What breed is the most popular in Hollywood movies?
M: It changes with time. The Labrador stood out in Old Yeller and Marley & Me, the Jack Russell made a mark in The Mask and FRAISER, and so on.
A: What breed do you most enjoy training?
M: Terriers, sometimes called terrors. They’re incredibly smart and don’t quit easily. Collies are very bright too, but mutts and terriers hold a special appeal for me.
A: Does Brody travel first class when you fly for work?
M: Sometimes.
A: What’s one practical tip you’d share for successful dog training?
M: Stay is crucial. Training should always be done on a leash.
Mathilde and Brody, thank you so much and good luck!