Uggie The Dog, At The Oscars: What Routine Should Billy Crystal Do With 'The Artist' Jack Russell Terrier

Uggie

The Huffington Post   First Posted: 02/14/2012 12:18 pm Updated: 02/14/2012 1:14 pm

Our own Mike Ryan may be "so over" Uggie from "The Artist," but plenty of others are waiting with baited breath for the adorable Jack Russell terrier to perform with host Billy Crystal at the 84th Annual Academy Awards.

The treat of the evening's mysterious man-and-canine choreography has been dangled in front of our faces long enough -- which is why Moviefone asked three professional dog trainers what routine they'd orchestrate for Uggie and Billy on Oscar night. (And how they'd teach both man and dog the sketch!)

You'll have to wait until Sunday, February 26 to find out if any of these predictions ring apropos - until then, enjoy the mental imagery.

"I think it would be fun for Uggie to show off his artistic skills, given that he's in 'The Artist.' There is a fun trick called Paintbrush Painting that he could do at the beginning. Uggie takes a brush from a paint can and touches it to an easel to create art. Billy could comment on how talented he is as an artist while Uggie puts the brush back in the can and proceeds to 'dance' around on his hind legs and show off his dancing skills. Billy could then start asking Uggie questions about the making of the film. At this point, Uggie seems distracted and goes to sit in front of a mirror (maybe on a chaise lounge or something). Billy says, 'Hey - I'm talking to you!' Uggie releases two barks and his hair and makeup people come out - one with a brush, maybe a manicurist, too. Billy could end the segment by saying something like, 'Ahh, his true artistic talent lies as an actor. I think he's got it down pat, don't you?'

The best part! Uggie's 'artwork' could be signed by Billy Crystal and auctioned off after the Oscars for charity!" -- Kim Mayes, CTDI

"My favorite skits are the ones where important people get bested by mischievous dogs. I can picture Uggie swiping Billy's cue card or reading glasses and running up a ladder to dangle them just out of Billy's reach.

The neat thing about trained dogs is that they can pick up new behaviors very quickly. Uggie would only need a day of prep time to learn to swipe the object and take it to the top of the ladder. But what differentiates a dog doing a trick from a real dog actor is the subtleties. Most dogs would simply stand at the top of the ladder holding the reading glasses. But a good dog actor would subtly lower his head toward Billy, and right as Billy jumps for the glasses the dog would go 'yoink!' and pull his head back.

To achieve this advanced behavior, we take advantage of a little dog psychology. You've probably been 'yoinked' at some point by your own dog, when you reached for his favorite toy in his mouth. Dogs get possessive when they really like the object they are holding. I'd wrap a little piece of hot dog in plastic and tape it to the glasses. The dog will smell the treat, but not be able to eat it. He'll really want to keep possession of this valuable object!" -- Kyra Sundance, author of "101 Dog Tricks"

"What if both rolled onto stage on skateboards? I've taught all my dogs to skateboard - they can even push it with one leg off and three on the board. Basically, I put the board out and any attention that they pay to it, I reinforce with a cookie. I like using a marker like a clicker or by saying 'yes' to tell them that what they did was right - followed by a treat. Initially, they touch the board, then move to putting one foot on, then two, and so on. So they could roll out, even flip the board to roll away from them - followed by a high five. Then I'd have them both take a bow - easy to teach with a lure: Put the cookie in front of Uggie's nose, bring it down and when his elbows hit the ground, that's the 'yes.' Next, if Billy Crystal was going to be talking about the movie or explaining something, I'd have Uggie sitting by him, looking very interested, but ever so slowly lying down - looking bored, then more bored, and finally sleeping on his back with his feet in the air. Or go out of sight, come back with glasses and a newspaper and sit down and 'read' the paper. Then maybe have Billy Crystal say something like, 'Okay, Uggie - let's go grab dinner!' - which would be a cue to have him grab a bowl and follow Billy off stage. Note: It's much easier to train dogs than men!" -- Becky Hutchins, certified dog trainer and teacher at Nassau Veterinary Clinic in Nassau, NY


For more on Uggie, check out a comprehensive look at your favorite movie-star dog throughout awards season below.

PHOTOS:

  • Uggie, the dog from the film "The Artist"

    Uggie, the dog from the film 'The Artist' and his understudy Dash (R) ham it up for photographers as they arrives for the first annual Golden Collar Awards, February 13, 2012 at the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles, California. The Golden Collar Awards celebrates "Best Achievement in Acting" by Hollywood's canine actors in five different categories. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Uggie, the dog from the film "The Artist"

    Uggie, the dog from the film 'The Artist' and his understudy Dash (R) ham it up for photographers as they arrives for the first annual Golden Collar Awards, February 13, 2012 at the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles, California. The Golden Collar Awards celebrates "Best Achievement in Acting" by Hollywood's canine actors in five different categories. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Owner Omar von Muller with his dog Uggie

    Owner Omar von Muller with his dog Uggie, from the film, 'The Artist,' accept the award for Best Dog in a Theatrical Film at the first annual Golden Collar Awards, February 13, 2012 at the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles, California. The Golden Collar Awards celebrates ìBest Achievement in Actingî by Hollywoodís animal actors in film and television. Awards are presented in five canines categories. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Uggie, the dog from the film "The Artist"

    Uggie, the dog from the film 'The Artist', arrives at the first annual Golden Collar Awards, February 13, 2012 at the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles, California. The Golden Collar Awards celebrates "Best Achievement in Acting" by Hollywood's canine actors in five different categories. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Uggie, the dog from the film "The Artist"

    Uggie, the dog from the film 'The Artist', arrives at the first annual Golden Collar Awards, February 13, 2012 at the Century Plaza Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles, California. The Golden Collar Awards celebrates "Best Achievement in Acting" by Hollywood's canine actors in five different categories. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Inaugural Presentation Of The LA City Council's "Made In Hollywood" Commendation Presented To "The Artist"

    LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Director Michel Hazanavicius, actors Jean Dujardin, James Cromwell, Penelope Ann Miller and Uggie the dog attend the Inaugural presentation of the Los Angeles City Council's 'Made in Hollywood' commendation presented to the cast of 'The Artist' at Red Studios on January 31, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

  • Inaugural Presentation Of The LA City Council's "Made In Hollywood" Commendation Presented To "The Artist"

    LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Uggie the dog and actress Missi Pyle attend the Inaugural presentation of the Los Angeles City Council's 'Made in Hollywood' commendation presented to the cast of 'The Artist' at Red Studios on January 31, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

  • Inaugural Presentation Of The LA City Council's "Made In Hollywood" Commendation Presented To "The Artist"

    LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Actors Jean Dujardin, Uggie the dog and Penelope Ann Miller attend the Inaugural presentation of the Los Angeles City Council's 'Made in Hollywood' commendation presented to the cast of 'The Artist' at Red Studios on January 31, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

  • Inaugural Presentation Of The LA City Council's "Made In Hollywood" Commendation Presented To "The Artist"

    LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Actors Jean Dujardin, Uggie the dog and Penelope Ann Miller attend the Inaugural presentation of the Los Angeles City Council's 'Made in Hollywood' commendation presented to the cast of 'The Artist' at Red Studios on January 31, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

  • Inaugural Presentation Of The LA City Council's "Made In Hollywood" Commendation Presented To "The Artist"

    LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: Actor Jean Dujardin and Uggie the dog attend the Inaugural presentation of the Los Angeles City Council's 'Made in Hollywood' commendation presented to the cast of 'The Artist' at Red Studios on January 31, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

  • Uggie the dog sits up at a ceremony honoring "The Artist"

    Uggie the dog sits up at a ceremony honoring the cast and crew of 'The Artist' with the "Made In Hollywood" honor, January 31, 2012 at RED Studios in Hollywood, California. Parts of 'The Artist' were filmed at RED Studios. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Uggie the dog sits to the side

    Uggie the dog sits to the side as director Michel Hazanavicius (L) and actors Jean Dujardin (C) and Missi Pyle (R) attend a ceremony honoring the cast and crew of 'The Artist' with the "Made In Hollywood" honor, January 31, 2012 at RED Studios in Hollywood, California. Parts of 'The Artist' were filmed at RED Studios. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Uggie the dog yawns as he sits in front of Jean Dujardin

    Uggie the dog yawns as he sits in front of actor Jean Dujardin at a ceremony honoring the cast and crew of 'The Artist' with the "Made In Hollywood" honor, January 31, 2012 at RED Studios in Hollywood, California. Parts of 'The Artist' were filmed at RED Studios. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Actor Jean Dujardin (R) gets a kiss from Uggie

    Actor Jean Dujardin (R) gets a kiss from Uggie the dog, held by actress Missi Pyle, at a ceremony honoring the cast and crew of 'The Artist' with the "Made In Hollywood" honor, January 31, 2012 at RED Studios in Hollywood, California. Parts of 'The Artist' were filmed at RED Studios. AFP PHOTO / Robyn Beck (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images)

  • Uggie Visits The Empire State Building

    NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Uggie, a Jack Russell Terrier, visits The Empire State Building with his trainer Omar von Muller on January 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

  • Uggie Visits The Empire State Building

    NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Uggie, a Jack Russell Terrier, visits The Empire State Building on January 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

  • Uggie Visits The Empire State Building

    NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Uggie, a Jack Russell Terrier, visits The Empire State Building with his trainer Omar von Muller on January 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

  • Uggie Visits The Empire State Building

    NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Uggie, a Jack Russell Terrier, visits The Empire State Building with his trainer Omar von Muller on January 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

  • Uggie Visits The Empire State Building

    NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Uggie, a Jack Russell Terrier, visits The Empire State Building with his trainer Omar von Muller on January 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

  • Uggie Visits The Empire State Building

    NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Uggie, a Jack Russell Terrier, visits The Empire State Building on January 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

  • Uggie Visits The Empire State Building

    NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Uggie, a Jack Russell Terrier, visits The Empire State Building on January 24, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

  • The Weinstein Company's 2012 Golden Globe Awards After Party - Arrivals

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Uggie from The Artist arrives at The Weinstein Company's 2012 Golden Globe Awards After Party at The Beverly Hilton hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

  • The Weinstein Company's 2012 Golden Globe Awards After Party - Arrivals

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Actor James Cromwell and Uggie arrive at The Weinstein Company's 2012 Golden Globe Awards After Party at The Beverly Hilton hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

  • 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Press Room

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: (L-R) Producer Thomas Langmann, actress Missi Pyle, Uggie the Dog, actor Jean Dujardin, and director Michel Hazanaviciu pose in the press room with the Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy award for 'The Artist' at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

  • 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Press Room

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Uggie the Dog from 'The Artist' poses in the press room at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

  • 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Press Room

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Uggie the Dog from 'The Artist' poses in the press room at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

  • 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Press Room

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Uggie the Dog from 'The Artist' poses in the press room at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

  • 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 15: Uggie the Dog from 'The Artist' arrives at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

  • Screening Of The Weinstein Company's "The Artist" - Red Carpet

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Uggie the dog arrives to a special screening of The Weinstein Company's 'The Artist' at AMPAS Samuel Goldwyn Theater on November 21, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

  • Uggie At AFI Fest

    (Files) Picture taken on November 8, 2011 shows dog 'Uggie' on arrival for the Gala screening of 'The Artist', it is co- starring, during AFI Fest 2001 in southern California. The trick-performing terrier, who saves his master's life in the black and white film which won three Golden Globes and is hoping for Oscars glory, was nominated Wednesday for a newly-minted Golden Collar award from Dog News Daily. AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

  • AFI FEST 2011 Presented By Audi - "The Artist" Special Screening - Red Carpet

    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 08: Uggie the dog arrives at 'The Artist' Special Screening during AFI FEST 2011 presented by Audi on November 8, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)

  • AFI FEST 2011 Presented By Audi - "The Artist" Special Screening - Arrivals

    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 08: Uggie the dog arrives at 'The Artist' Special Screening during AFI FEST 2011 presented by Audi on November 8, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for AFI)

FOLLOW MOVIEFONE

Our own Mike Ryan may be "so over" Uggie from "The Artist," but plenty of others are waiting with baited breath for the adorable Jack Russell terrier to perform with host Billy Crystal at the 84th Ann...
Our own Mike Ryan may be "so over" Uggie from "The Artist," but plenty of others are waiting with baited breath for the adorable Jack Russell terrier to perform with host Billy Crystal at the 84th Ann...
 
 
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