Behind the Scenes with Eric Presnall

Eric Presnall appears in 'Who Let the Dogs Out'

Today is another installment in my 'Behind the Scenes' series about the characters in a new TV series. During the past year, I've had the privilege of working with most of the actors in the new reality TV show 'Who Let the Dogs Out', which premieres on Animal Planet February 18th, 2012 (10 am/9am central).

When you first meet Eric Presnall, his sparkling blue eyes command attention. At just 22, Eric is a star-in-the-making in Hollywood. Playing himself on 'Who Let the Dogs Out' Eric is working as a personal assistant to the world famous celebrity bulldog Tillman. Eric was born September 26, 1989. He enjoys talking about growing up in El Dorado HIlls, California with his family. His interest in music was spurred by his father, a singer and musician, who  Eric loved to watch perform. When he was just eight years old, Eric gained an appreciation for performing arts, while on a family on a trip to San Francisco to see The Phantom of the Opera at the Orpheum Theatre, which was starring Brad Little (who remains Eric's favorite actor in Musical Theatre). The experience of live musical theatre was so exciting to Eric, he asked his parents to study voice and dance, and soon auditioned for several musicals along the way. His first audition was for Grease with the El Dorado Musical Theatre. To his surprise, he earned the lead role of Danny Zucko, which launched his career in performing arts. Most recently, Eric toured with the company of 'High School Musical' for Disney productions. In some ways, Eric reminds me of Zac Efron. Like Zac, Eric has a fresh, wholesome, youthful image yet with a classic young Hollywood leading man look. He walks with a natural swagger that can charm the birds out of trees.  Yep, he is sure to collect a whole lot of new fans!

Music is definitely one of Eric's passions

Eric has also been gaining experience working in front of the camera in film and most recently television. His film credits include 'Clown Town', 'PLAY', 'F.U.B.A.R', 'Anxiety', 'Hatched', and 'Mirror Man'. He was also recently just cast in Power and Pride, starring Stephen Baldwin, Eric Roberts, and Helen Slater. He will be playing Luke Fletcher, the son of Senator David Fletcher (Baldwin), set to commence filming this summer. "Who Let the Dogs Out' is Eric's television debut, which he already seems to be enjoying immensely.

Eric is charming and easy to talk to. He smiles easily and often, and has a knack for putting people at ease. Whether on set or waiting for the cameras to roll Eric is focused and professional. He believes that by hard-work, anything can be possible, and revolves his life around the quote, "To spend your time wisely, aim to have none of it free."

Eric Presnall with Tillman

Who Let the Dogs Out offers an interesting perspective of Eric Presnall. Since this is a reality show, he is encouraged to be himself and relax when the cameras are rolling. He adapts easily to scenes and virtually any environment. During the 2012 Rose Parade, Eric rode on the Natural Balance Pet Foods Float, working with Tillman and other celebrity dogs surfing on the float with a specially designed wave machine. Even veteran actor Dick Van Patten is impressed by Eric. I asked Mr Van Patten about Eric's performance on camera. Dick reports that Eric is a "real pro, always smiling and loves working with the dogs too." The dynamic on set between co-stars Ron Davis, Lexi Beermann, Karen Cobb and driver Steve Clark keeps Eric on his toes. He says that everyone gets along really well, but being all together on Tillman's tour bus can present some challenges. No matter what, Eric is enjoying being part of Who Let the Dogs Out. He loves working with the dogs, and is excited about the talent search for the most talented dog in America. 

Through a series of talent casting calls and reviewing video submissions online, Tillman and Friends--along with Eric will find the most talented dog in America, one way or another. For the moment, Eric has his hands full as Tillman's personal assistant. Eric Presnall is a bright new talent and one to watch closely. Look for Eric during the premiere episode of Who Let the Dogs Out on Animal Planet, Saturdays starting February 18th at 10 am/9am central.

Click Here to hear my radio interview with Eric Presnall on Blog Talk Radio!

Behind the Scenes with Ron Davis

Today is the second post in a series I'm presenting here about the cast of the upcoming reality show "Who Let the Dogs Out" on Animal Planet. Today is all about the show's lead person, Ron Davis, dad to the World Famous Bulldog Tillman.

I've known Ron now for several years-- well before I started working at Natural Balance Pet Foods, I got to know him while he would make public appearances with his amazing bulldog Tillman. Ron is a real-deal Southern California skater  and surfer dude; but despite his passion for extreme sports, his life revolves around his family and the ocean. You can tell he loves the ocean, his son's name is 'Reef', pretty cool huh? Ron was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA, and soon found his true passion in working with dogs. In 2008 Ron and his English bulldog Tillman, (certified by Guinness World Records as The World's Fastest Skateboarding Dog) were discovered and invited on the CBS reality show Greatest American Dog. Though they didn't win that competition, it helped Ron launch a career in dog training. As the lead trainer at Natural Balance Pet Foods, Ron heads up our world-famous team of action sports bulldogs to skateboard, snowboard and surf. 

Ron and his buddy Tillman

As you watch Who Let the Dogs Out on Animal Planet, you'll enjoy getting to know Ron Davis. He is a genuinely cool dude with some really awesome dogs. I love it when Ron comes to the Natural Balance office with his dogs. They roam around freely, exploring what's going on, saying hello to all of us and looking for snacks. Of course, each has their own personality but sometimes I swear I can see a bit of Ron in each of them.

I asked Ron how Tillman got into skateboarding, which is his own passion.  He explained that even when Tillman was still a young pup in the family, he showed interest in Ron's skateboard. He started chewing on the wheels, and getting excited whenever Ron would take the board out. "Tillman was initially inspired by my Rottweiler, Stoli, who lived for
that skateboard, but never able to put all four on the deck", he explained to me. One day Ron took a chance and showed Tillman how to skate. In no time at all, Tillman was able to hop on the board and take to the pavement at home to practice skating without help of his dad. Not surprisingly, Ron sees himself and Tillman along the lines of fraternity brothers who are inseparable.

Ron and Tillman being interviewed

After wondering why I can't my own two dogs to stop jumping on me all the time, I quizzed Ron about his training philosophy, particularly compared to some of the other trainers on Who Let the Dogs Out. Ron says quite simply: "the more you put into it the more you get out of it". Its obvious he knows what he is talking about. With his track record of skateboarding bulldogs, he carved out a true niche in dog training and is the envy of dogs everywhere. To this day I am fascinated by Ron. He and his dogs make media appearances all the time, appearing on programs such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS, FOX, ESPN, Fuel TV, and have performed in four Rose Parades, the 2010 Winter Olympics, as well as Major League Baseball events with The Mets, Dodgers, Rangers, Angels and Giants. 

In addition to his three dogs, Tillman, Rose and Sully he and his 12-year-old son Reef live in Oxnard, California where they enjoy surfing, skateboarding, tennis, volleyball. If you love extreme sports, skateboards, skim boards or surfing, you'll want to get to know Ron. He and Tillman practically ARE the show, so it won't be hard to follow Ron each week on Who Let the Dogs Out on Animal Planet.

PS: Click here to hear my radio interview with Ron Davis on BlogTalkRadio

Behind the Scenes with Lexi Beermann

I'm psyched to present the first in a series of posts that profile the principle cast members of a new TV show I'm involved in called Who Let the Dogs Out, which premieres February 18th on Animal Planet.

I'm starting this series of posts with the lovely Lexi Beermann. Lexi is not only beautiful and talented, but she’s brings her fascinating personality to this dynamic cast of characters. The heart and soul of this male-dominant cast, Lexi adds a feminine charm that off-sets the rough and tumble of life on the road with dudes and dogs. I asked Lexi to describe what it is like to be part of the show cast. 'Sometimes I feel it's just me and Rose" (the female bulldog pal of Tillman). "The guys get going on a kick and it comes down to Rose and me holding up the softer side of things. Luckily we met Karen Cobb, so things will start to even out a bit more." You might say that Lexi follows the beat to her own drum, which is how she came into training in the first place. 

Lexi and Wally

She joined the Natural Balance bulldog Team in the 2009 with her first skateboarding bulldog, Lyle, where they made their debut on the World’s Longest Rose ParadeFloat. Since then, Lexi continues to develop a unique approach that sets her apart from the other trainers on the show. Her training philosophy is to communicate or "talk" with the animals. When I asked her what she means by her communication style, she explained that “dogs have a language too. While it’s non-verbal, it’s still a form of communication, which I know how to translate”.  While she doesn’t believe a dog can actually talk in human words, she does believe that every dog has a passion waiting to be discovered, it's just a matter of listening to what they are trying to say." And, listens she does, it’s fascinating to watch her to relate to her furry friends, acting as their number one advocate to help them bring their dreams to reality. When you hear Lexi explain herself in person, it seems very plausible, however the producers of Who Let the Dogs Out have fun pitting Ron's disbelief in Lexi's training philosophy against her genuine and touching manner.

Lexi is no stranger to training dogs; she grew up with three English bulldogs and has a deep, true love and understanding for the breed. Unlike Ron, Lexi doesn't skateboard, snowboard or surf (though she’s tried all three to no avail) but, so far she’s been successful training bulldogs to skateboard, so maybe this whole “talking to the animals thing” really does work! She is an inspirational and patient coach to her four-legged friends, and has a knack for teaching them how to board!

I'm always interested in knowing where people grow up, as I've always felt we are partly a product of our upbringing. Turns out we're both from "back East" as we Californians like to say. Lexi was born and raised in New York City, NY. She graduated from Davidson College with a BA in Fine Arts. Her parents were both successful entrepreneurs, so it was no surprise when Lexi founded her own jewelry company, Neckisses by Lexi www.neckisses.com in 2002. She managed and operated all aspects of the business and was able to combine her business acumen with her inner artist, and today uses that blend of skills in her work with the dogs. I asked Lexi how she does it, managing it all (dogs and business) so well. “It’s always interesting to look back on your experiences and see how they all come together to bring you to your present career”.  Similar to fellow cast members Dick Van Patten and Jimmy Van Patten, Lexi is an avid tennis player and athlete; in fact she once won a bronze medal in the NY State Junior Olympics. It’s apparent in her current position as trainer for the Natural Balance Bulldog team, that she combines her accomplishments in sports, business and art to make a fun, learning environment for Wally to thrive in. Work hard, play hard is what she likes to say!

Lexi currently lives in Venice Beach, California with her four legged son, 'Wally' – puppy in training.  Lexi is a fellow blogger!  She enjoys writing a blog about her life as a Hollywood Pet Mom. Lexi can be seen in every episode of “Who Let the Dogs Out” premiering on Animal Planet, starting February 18th, 2012, don't miss the series, you're going to love it.

Click here to hear my radio interview with Lexi Beermann on BlogTalkRadio.