Variety show featuring stunt-performing dogs
America’s Got Talent winner in 2016 coming to deCoste Aug. 19
The Olate family has taught their dogs a few tricks, but far more than the standard “sit” or “shake a paw.”
Known as the Olate Dogs, the Olate family and their 11 dogs — Willy, Cholo, Joe, Sodi, Benny, Bob, Maggie, Lili, Loca, Oso and Bella — perform all sorts of stunts, from back flips to running on their hind legs and even choreographed dance moves.
Later this month, the winners of America’s Got Talent in 2016 will perform three shows in Nova Scotia as part of their East Coast Canadian tour.
“It’s a variety show, but it’s all dog-centred,” said Nicholas Olate, the show’s right-hand man and son of the main trainer, Richard, in a phone interview Monday.
“We have doggy fashion shows, a couple comedy skits, I sing (and) I do juggling in the show.”
They begin with a show in Halifax on Aug. 18, then perform at the deCoste Performing Arts Centre in Pictou Aug. 19. From there, the tour turns to Cape Breton with shows in Mabou on Aug. 20 and Sydney on Aug. 21.
The Olate Dogs have performed in Canada before, but as part of a touring circus. This will be their first time visiting as a solo act.
“I’m really excited,” said Nicholas. “It’s going to be interesting to go back there and revisit a lot of the towns, but this time with our own show.”
To transport the dogs they have an insulated trailer with everything from a bathtub and heated water to air conditioning.
“They live better than we do,” Nicholas said. “They have a good life.”
Growing up in a poor Chilean family, Richard Olate got his first dog at the age of 12. He loved training the dog and thought he might be able to make an act out of dog tricks.
“He didn’t really have anything to offer the dog, treat-wise,” Nicholas said.
“He’d work on tricks and he’d always be kissing and petting the dog and he realized the dog was excited just to be with him.”
Today, he still finds ways to make the shows enjoyable for the dogs.
“They get really excited to do the show,” Nicholas said.
Once he had a routine locked down, Richard booked his amateur act at schools and small circuses. Along with Richard’s brother, he spent the next few years travelling with different circuses throughout South America.
In 1989, they premiered in the United States and never looked back. Their popularity grew over the years and culminated when they won America’s Got Talent in 2016 and, with it, a $1-million prize.
“(The show) opened up a lot of opportunities and a lot of doors for us,” said Nicholas. “The exposure from America’s Got Talent was definitely a tremendous help. “It’s been pretty life-changing.” Over the years, some tricks have proved more difficult to teach, the hardest being the back flip. Nicholas said the first time they tried to teach it to a dog, it took six or seven months before the dog could do a back flip on command.
For anyone training a dog, Nicholas said, there are three keys to teaching it a trick: patience, persistence and a lot of love.
“You have to very consistent with the training… and you always want to pet it, kiss it and hug it.”