When audiences watch a TV series or film, they see a seamless performance from both human and animal actors. What often goes unnoticed is the meticulous training and preparation that goes into ensuring animals on set are confident, reliable, and camera-ready. At The Animal Talent Ltd, we take great pride in providing professional animal actors who not only look the part but also perform beautifully under the bright lights of production.
Recently, I had the privilege of working on the TV adaptation of A Gentleman in Moscow, starring Ewan McGregor. For this series, I trained two magnificent borzois – elegant Russian wolfhounds that perfectly captured the aristocratic atmosphere of the story.
The Training Process
Every production has different needs. Sometimes a dog may be required to perform simple cues like “sit,” “stay,” or “walk nicely on lead.” Other times, scenes call for more complex behaviour, such as responding to subtle signals from an actor, ignoring distractions, or moving naturally within the rhythm of a dramatic moment.
For A Gentleman in Moscow, the borzois needed to embody the grace and composure of noble companions and then quickly switch into chaos. Their initial role wasn’t about flashy tricks; it was about stillness, presence, and quiet elegance which then had to change to complete frenzy with the flick of a switch. This required a very different kind of training as two different styles of acting were required.
The foundation of any training begins long before the cameras roll. Dogs must be comfortable in noisy, unpredictable environments. They need to get used to equipment, lights, crew movement, and the sometimes lengthy waits between takes. Building confidence is key: a relaxed, happy dog will always give the best performance. The dogs that were picked for the series had to have an elegant appearance, athletic build but also the confidence and poise required for filming. Chiara and Indie (on The Animal Talent roster) were the dogs chosen for the role and credit must go to their human parents who raised such beautiful, charming dogs.
Chiara and Indie came from breeders who frequent the show circuit, so the dogs did already have confidence in front of audiences, and bright lights. They were, however, only trained in ring craft and not obedience. Therefore they did not have specific recall training; nor did they know the commands of “run”, “emergency stop” and they had never worked with anyone who wasn’t their human parents.
For the role, they had to work alongside actors, run amok in a busy restaurant, eat human food from one certain actor’s table (but no other table filled with food), avoid a food fight and then, when the carnage was at it’s peak, they had to stop, come immediately in a slow, measured fashion as Count Rostov (Ewan McGregor) called them. It was quite the scene, with over 40 actors in the set and immeasurable amounts of crew and cameras. The finished result can be seen in part here:
https://www.tiktok.com/@paramountplusaustralia/video/7366800273521577248
Chiara, Indie and myself worked together over a period of three months training for the big scene. We worked on the basics of recall, recall at speed, recall with distractions, emergency stop and then started putting this together with a self-made obstacle course which emulated the tables in the restaurant. We didn’t get to practice on site with the official props and set backdrop until the day before shooting, so we used every trick in the book in preparation and confidence building.
Working With Actors
Another important element of animal training for film is the relationship between the animal and the human actors they’ll be working alongside. In this case, the borzois needed to appear as though they naturally respected Ewan McGregor’s character. That meant introducing him to the dogs early, rehearsing together, and creating a sense of familiarity so that their on-screen bond looked genuine.
One of my favourite aspects of the job is watching actors and animals connect. Ewan McGregor was wonderful with the borzois — patient, gentle, and keen to work with them in a way that respected their personalities. That authenticity shines through on screen.
Why Professional Animal Training Matters
Film and TV sets are high-pressure environments. Without proper training, animals can become stressed, distracted, or unresponsive and that can cost valuable shooting time. A professional animal trainer ensures not only that the animals perform as needed, but also that their welfare is always the top priority.
At The Animal Talent Ltd, we operate with the highest welfare standards. Training is always positive and reward-based, designed to build trust between animal, handler, and production team. The result? Happy animals, efficient shoots, and stunning performances.
I simply loved working with Chiara and Indie and now see them both as members of my fur-family. I’m proud of what we achieved and I respect both dogs so much for putting in the months of hard work that it took preparing for their major scene.
Bringing Characters to Life
The borzois in A Gentleman in Moscow added an undeniable touch of authenticity to the period drama. Their regal presence helped transport viewers into the world of Count Rostov, supporting the story in a way that only well-prepared animal actors can.
Whether it’s a pair of elegant borzois for a historical drama, an excitable terrier for a family comedy, or a cat who needs to walk confidently through a busy set, the principle is the same: preparation, patience, and a deep respect for the animals themselves.
If you’re casting for a production and need trained animal talent, get in touch with The Animal Talent Ltd. We provide the very best in professional animal actors, from dogs and cats to more exotic species — all trained with care to deliver outstanding performances.
