Dogs and clowning

[fumbles]

:? Hi, I'm Fumbles and I'm new to clowning. I have a question about dogs and clowning. I have a 9lb. pappilon (therapy dog) who I would like to bring with me when I clown. Does anyone know what are the rules regulations if any, with having a dog in your act? Also any Ideas on brining her in on the act? She's got fantastic manners and behaves better then my six year old.
Fumbles

[ashes]

I don't know that there are any "rules" about dogs -- I've seen some
dogs with clowns that can do tricks.

Build your dog a ruffled collar and put a hat on her, if she will tolerate
it.

Teach her to sit, lie down, roll over and to stand up and beg for
a rubber ball.

Teach her to jump rope with you.

Or teach her to run between your legs and get you all tangled in
the leash.

For a well-trained dog there are any number of "tricks" that they
can do and add to your act.

On the safety side, I teach kids to not pet a stranger's dog but
if she is part of your act I imagine a lot of folks will want to pet her.

A few questions I'd ask myself:

What if she gets stepped on? She probably will at some time.
What is my liability if she snaps or bites someone. Not likely, but
it at least is a possibility and I might want to have (additional) insurance.
What about large crowds? Does she handle them well?
Does she try to protect you?
How does she do with you in makeup?
How does she handle sudden movements or loud noises?

So, I'm not against it, but I think it really does depend on the dog.

Ashes

[PremierSparkles]

Ashes gives great advice. I would certainly ask myself all these questions. I would also recommend that you do some research on Lou Jacobs. He clowned with his dog as a part of his act!

[Scruffy]

Originally Posted by PremierSparkles

.... I would also recommend that you do some research on Lou Jacobs. He clowned with his dog as a part of his act!

That would Knucklehead, Lou's Chihuahua. Lou used her in several gags.She played the rabbit in his hunting gag and also played a hot dog in a giant bun.
If I could find a pooch like that, I would clown with a dog.

[tim]

Karen Bell had a class at Moose Camp about working with a dog. I don't know if, possibly, she would have a video on the topic or anything.

[Scruffy]

Thanks for the heads up, Tim. I think it would br great to have a dog trained for clowning.

[ibimus]

Before you do a party, ask the parent if anyone has a dog allergy. I have friends who can't come in my house at all becuase of pet hair, so watch out for that!

[saphireSue]

Another thing to consider is how well an animal does with costumes and painted faces. I met a dog who did a lot of pet therapy, just fine, but when it was brought to a clown convention it did not respond well to others who where in their clown character. It was scared of the make up and costumes. And this was a dog that went regularly to nursing homes.

[tim]

Now even the dogs are scared of clowns?

[Goofie]

My club has a rule that I have to carry $1,000,000 Insurance for my dog.

It did cost me that much back in 1993. I just added it to my home owner Ins.

1993 was the last time I used him, he died a few years later. He was 12 then he past.

He loved KIDS and Attention. I would put this over size spiked collar on him with a big plastic chain. HE WOULD LEAD ME THOUGH THE CROWD as I would yell for people to watch out a wild dog was come through.

I have his great grandson now but he is afraid of kids so I have never used him in any act.

Lil Abner 1993


Lil Abner 1993


Great Grandson Duddly. Very happy dog but is afaid of kids.