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Gary, a mixed breed, takes direction during a workshop with animal trainer Miriam Fields-Babineau.
Humphrey the basset hound seems to be on a roll.
A Saluki named Clue performed with the help of props.
Ajax, an English mastiff, did well Area pets show up for their day in the spotlight at a studio animal-training workshop in Spotsylvania County. |
By KIM BAER
MIRIAM FIELDS-
The workshop was located in an inviting spot: PAWS for Therapy Day Spa at The Shops at River Club in Spotsylvania County.
Bright fuchsia carpeting covered the floor. The walls were decorated with flags--the kind proud dog owners fly on their front porches--of different breeds of dogs.
Fields-Babineau arranged a display of treats and training books on the table, and checked out the animals as they arrived.
She was friendly with the pet owners who filed in, but wasn't giving too much away.
"Nice coloring," she said of Ajax, an English mastiff.
When friend Thea Verdak, president of the Rappahannock Humane Society, swooned over Sugar and Tiffany, two show dogs from Northern Virginia, Fields-Babineau smiled.
She broke from her objective demeanor when Randy Beavers came in, trailing behind his two basset hounds.
"Oh, here are my bassets," she said.
She had worked with one, Rupert, on two commercials.
The workshop did not have the feel of a competitive tryout. There were no obvious "stage owners" primping pampered pets.
The pet owners sat in metal folding chairs that ringed the table. Some pets stayed with their owners. Others were more comfortable in the crates that were lined up along one wall of the salon.
These pet owners had gathered on a sunny summer Saturday, each hopeful that his or her pet could make it in the business.
Would the nine dogs--and their owners--have what it takes to make it in the animal acting world?
Fields-Babineau would find out.
Looking for a starFields-Babineau is a tall, strongly built woman with long brown, slightly curly hair.
She was dressed casually on this day, in brown pants and a sleeveless shirt. But she had a calm authority with the animals and owners that reflects her nearly 30 years as an animal trainer.
For years, she did her work in the backyard of her Aquia Harbour home in Stafford County.
She now runs an animal-training center and boarding facility on her 75-acre farm in Amherst.
An animal-actor agent for nearly 25 years, Fields-Babineau has provided animals for dozens of commercials, photo shoots and feature films, including "Enemy of the State."
At the workshop's start, she made one thing clear right away: The job is not for every animal.
A pedigree is not required. Some of Fields-Babineau's best animal actors have been mixed breeds.
But to be a success in the business, an animal must possess three things: looks, temperament and training.
The animals must be photogenic. Fields-Babineau looks for expressive faces, too.
But it's not just about being pretty.
The animal must also be outgoing and comfortable in all situations, not easily stressed.
An animal actor on her staff must be well-trained: "They represent me," she said.
She then shared video clips of her animal stars at work.
There was Davy Crockett, Fields-Babineau's own cat, who withstood hours-long workdays--and the indignity of wearing of a witch costume, among other outfits--for his work in National Geographic's "The Secret Life of Cats."
Then there was the husky who submitted to being covered in red paint for a commercial for N.E.R.D, a musical group.
The animals at the workshop were calm and polite through the lecture. Ajax fell asleep. His occasional loud snores punctuated the talk.
Then it was time for the moment of reckoning: Fields-Babineau would mimic a photo shoot to see the animals in action.
Hits and missesDigital camera in hand, she called the animals over one by one.
Fritz, an adorable miniature schnauzer, was first.
She placed a white card on the ground.
This was the mark.
Each dog was to stay on the mark.
"Let's see if we can get a sit-stay," she said to Ted Evans, Fritz's owner.
Fritz was not interested in the mark.
When Evans walked away, Fritz often wandered off, too.
After trying a few other commands, the tryout ended.
"Have you ever heard of clicker training?" she asked Evans, referring him to one of her books.
Ajax did well for the portion where he needed to sit on the mark.
Doing the other required behaviors was more of a challenge.
"We've got some work to do," concluded his owner, Andi Lindamood.
Then it was time for Rupert to show his stuff.
"I want Rupert to stay on that spot," Fields-Babineau said to Beavers.
Rupert had other ideas.
He was to sit and stay and look at the camera. Beavers repeatedly brought him back to the spot.
"He's feeling a little put out. Give him a lot of praise," Fields-Babineau said.
Beavers did.
After a few more tries, she took over the directing of Rupert.
He rallied and successfully performed a 'Point A to Point B'--walking from Fields-Babineau to Beavers, who was hidden from sight.
Fields-Babineau thanked Beavers for coming.
Tiffany and Sugar were next. Tiffany is an English springer spaniel who shows in obedience and rally.
Tiffany has trained with Fields-Babineau since she was a puppy, and it showed.
She went through the commands like an old pro.
"Did you bring anything to hold?" she asked Tiffany's owner.
That's not a skill they've been practicing, her owner explained.
Holding something in the mouth is an important skill for animal actors. Retrieving games help dogs learn this skill, Fields-Babineau said.
Two Salukis were the last to audition.
Their owner, Susan Waltman, who wore a red sweatshirt decorated with a Saluki, had brought props--including squeaky toys and a fluffy toy on a long string--to help Puzzle and Clue perform.
The Annandale pooches both responded admirably.
After a final challenge for all the dogs (a prolonged sit-stay, then a down-stay with owners away), the workshop was over.
Pets and their owners filed out of the salon and into the summer evening.
They had all left paperwork on their animals with Fields-Babineau. She had the animals' pictures on her digital camera.
At the end of the 4-hour workshop, she had found four dogs to add to her roster: Ajax, Clue, Sugar and Humphrey, one of Beavers' basset hounds (Tiffany and Rupert were already on her list).
In all, she felt the workshop was a success.
"It went smoothly," Fields-Babineau wrote in a follow-up e-mail. "I enjoyed educating the dog owners."
Kim Baer is a staff writer with The Free Lance-Star. Contact her at 540/368-5028 or| Here are the top things Fields-Babineau looks for in an animal actor:
Looks: The animal has to look good on film. It should be in the peak of health, with a good, shiny coat. Age: This is for the animal's benefit. Film shoots may take several hours, which is a challenge for senior animals. Outgoing: The animal should be comfortable in all situations and accept new situations readily. Travels well. Shoots often require long trips. Well-behaved: The animal must be well-trained. The animal should respond to a behavior cue the first time. The most important behaviors an animal must have learned are: sit-stay, down-stay, come, and walk--both on and off Not easily distracted. Not aggressive to other animals or to people. Fields-Babineau also has Flexible schedule: Fields-Babineau will often get only a day's notice or less to prepare for a shoot. Punctual: Lateness is Follow directions: Arguing with the lead trainer is unacceptable. |
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Check out Miriam Fields-Babineau's Web site, miriam fields.com.
To reach Fields-Babineau, call 434/946-5464 or e-mail trainingunlimited1@netzero .net. |
| Cat Training Seminar
Yes, cats can be trained.
And Miriam Fields-Babineau can show you how. She'll lead a cat-training seminar Saturday, Aug. 18, at Tidewater Trail Animal Hospital. Fields-Babineau will show cat owners how to use visual and voice cues to communicate with cats and how to teach cats to come when called, among other things. Preregistration with Fields-Babineau is required. Registration ends Aug. 15. |
