Hollywood Paws

Hollywood Paws offers a product-based training program centered on “Movie Magic Training Treats” to teach studio-specific behaviors such as marks, aim stick, work away, and distance-only hand/verbal cues. Training is self-guided using their treat system, with optional in-person evaluation at their studio. Dogs must demonstrate proficiency in these behaviors in distracting environments to be eligible for representation. No formal class structure; training is individualized and focused on media performance, not general obedience.

Pricing Summary

Training is delivered through the purchase of “Movie Magic Training Treats” sold separately. Minimum on-set rate for a dog and trainer is $1,300 for 6 hours, with Hollywood Paws taking 15% of all jobs booked through their agency. No public pricing for training programs; fees are tied to product purchases and agency representation.

Policies

Customers who purchase training products may cancel within three days under FTC cooling-off rules. Refunds are processed upon request, but delays have been reported. No formal cancellation policy for evaluations or representation is published. Evaluations are brief (2 minutes) and non-guaranteed.

Hollywood Paws is a professional animal talent agency based in Los Angeles that trains dogs for movie, TV, commercial, and print work. They offer training programs focused on “studio behaviors” such as marks, aim stick, work away, and hand signal-only commands, designed for dogs to perform from 15–20 feet away without verbal cues during filming. Their signature offering is the “Movie Magic Training Treats,” a product-based training system that teaches owners how to train their dogs using the same techniques used on professional sets. While they do not own dogs, they represent dogs owned by pet owners who meet their studio training standards. They also provide free pickup and drop-off for dogs booked through their agency, and trainers work the dogs on set. Their training is not intended for general obedience but for specialized entertainment industry performance.

They emphasize that studio behaviors are distinct from everyday commands and require specific, distance-based training. They accept dogs of all sizes except those too small to be effectively trained with treat-based motivation. Therapy dogs are encouraged to apply, but service dogs are not eligible due to conflicting training requirements. Hollywood Paws does not require professional headshots and accepts submissions via simple phone photos.

They operate from Los Angeles Center Studios and serve clients primarily in the Los Angeles area, with some remote training support via their treat-based program. The business has been operating for over 20 years and has placed dogs in hundreds of productions including Amazon, Samsung, Hyundai, Netflix, and Disney.

Note: While they market themselves as a dog trainer, their primary function is as an animal talent agency that requires pre-trained dogs. Their training program is product-driven and focused on preparing dogs for media work, not general pet obedience.

Accomplishments

Hollywood Paws has been in business for over 20 years and has placed dogs in hundreds of film, TV, and commercial productions including Amazon, Samsung, Hyundai, Netflix, Disney, Target, and Apple. Their trainers have worked on notable projects such as Searching, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Old Man. They are credited as the elite animal talent agency of Hollywood.

How to Get Started!

Owners must first purchase Movie Magic Training Treats to begin training their dog in studio behaviors. Once the dog demonstrates required skills, owners submit a video for evaluation. If accepted, the dog may be represented by Hollywood Paws for casting opportunities. In-person evaluations are conducted at Los Angeles Center Studios by appointment.