Tiger Yawns

September 14, 10:13 AMShowbiz Pets ExaminerLorraine Goodman

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Tiger chills after a hard day at work

This time, they wanted Tiger to yawn on command.
How do you teach that? I leafed through my books.
Nothing. Internet? Not much more. The only info I found suggested that I 'mark' it to capture it.
Well, I sat with him and figured out a way. (CLICK HERE) Once Tiger learned the basics, however, I needed to get him to “generalize” the behavior. Remember: dogs don’t generalize easily –  “LEAVE IT" for one chicken bone on the kitchen floor does not extend to “LEAVE IT" for the chicken bone on the sidewalk. SIT can simply mean sit in this one place – not EVERY TIME I say SIT.
After a week of making a fool of myself (I’M SLEEPY) and getting Tiger to yawn in the Pet Store, on the sidewalk, in Central Park, at the Dog run and in my kitchen, I informed the agent the deed was done – Tiger could yawn on cue.
“Can you video it?”
Video is actually a time-saver, since getting the behavior on video would remove the need to go on an audition.
I got out the camera. One good yawn later, I loaded the footage onto my computer and sent it off.
“This is great! Can you get a couple of yawns in a row….”
Did I ever mention that Showbiz ain’t easy?
We got the footage, then got the confirmation that Tiger had booked the gig.
We arrived at the location on one of the hottest days of the year so far. As the shoot was scheduled to take place outside, I began to worry. I told the agent, “I don’t think he can yawn if he’s panting.”
We met with the American Humane representative, Kenneth Gold. Ken was there to make sure Tiger was well taken care of during the shoot, but he also had to step in when the prop people began discussing the purchase of sardines. You see, the sardines didn't have heads, and they needed sardines with heads. Someone mentioned buying them from a fish market. Ken needed a receipt to prove that they were already deceased before they were purchased.
The cameras were set and we started to shoot. Tiger gave us a few good yawns, but the framing wasn't right and it was getting hotter. The director asked me if he would be better inside. I immediately said, “YES!”
Then I prayed.
Well, it worked. They set up inside a lovely home and BINGO! Tiger gave them 2 enormous yawns – right on cue and right into the camera.
CUT! That’s a wrap.

Done.

Now I’m sleepy.