The Heidi Chronicles, part 10: A dog needs to get her bark on

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This is Heidi. Earlier this year, she was ‘discovered’ in the park by a pet talent agency; since then, she has embarked on a one-dog quest to break into the business. This is her Hollywood story as chronicled by Times staff writer Diane Haithman. And this is her “head shot”: That longing look was achieved by placing a biscuit just out of reach.

“She’s going to have to get a speak on her,” said Sue DiSesso, observing Heidi with a critical eye. That’s professional animal trainer-speak for: “The girl’s got to learn to bark on cue.”

After meeting with Hollywood animal trainer Shawn Weber on the set of ‘NCIS’ -– and learning that, as a German shepherd, Heidi’s acting career would most likely be limited to playing “heavy” roles (see Chapter 9) -- Heidi and I finally got our face time with the very busy Sue, chief trainer for Animal Actors 4 Hire since the death of her husband, trainer Moe DiSesso, in 2007.

Because of her house pet status, Shawn had referred to Heidi as a “private party animal.” Sue shortened that to “private dog,” which sounded to me like character from a 1960s sitcom, set on a military base: “Meet Private Dog!”

Heidi and I had invited Sue to meet us at the very dog-friendly Aroma Cafe on Tujunga Boulevard in Studio City (this pug on the outside bench is perhaps waiting for a caramel latte). Partly we picked the place because of the outdoor seating, partly because Sue had early-morning business at nearby Radford Studios, which, of course, impressed the dog.

Now, Sue was adding another dimension to trainer Shawn’s observation that, in movies and TV, a German shepherd would more likely be chasing down bad guys than frolicking with toddlers. And what does a trained police dog do when she’s got the perp backed up against a wall? No, Heidi, you don’t bring him your red ball to see if he wants to play. You bark.

Sue was amused by our initial “audition” with an animal talent agency, particularly the fact that we had been told that this agency was in dire need of German Shepherds. All the animal companies have plenty of German Shepherds. “They’ve really got you snowed,” she said with a laugh.

I would have appreciated a bark from Heidi at that point, or at least a growl, but nothing.

As Sue talked, one thing became clear: If Heidi was going to make it in the business, she was going to need a trainer. It seemed to me that Heidi was a canine Eliza Doolittle -- and Sue DiSesso was the perfect teacher to help her get her speak on.