The man suddenly attacks the couple and the dog barks and growls. As the couple approaches the dog, who is now at the other end of the tunnel, they see that Curtis’ leash is tied to a sign and a man is holding a section of the leash. A trainer called the dog to run ahead of the couple and retrieved him off-screen. While walking through a pedestrian tunnel in the park, Curtis runs ahead and the couple follow. The actor and dog had a lot of rehearsal time together, so the dog was accustomed to obeying commands from the actor. The trainer then took the leash just off-camera and held the dog for a moment before sending him back to the actor. The actor threw the ball toward an off-screen trainer and the dog ran to retrieve the ball. David plays fetch with Curtis in the park. The street was closed off to traffic and off-screen trainers walked with the actors and the dog to the park. For this shot, a trainer held the dog’s leash just inside the building’s doorway and handed it to the actor right before filming began. Erica and David walk Curtis on a leash out of the building and down the street.

Only necessary cast and crew were on the set when filming with the dogs.

Both dogs were introduced to the actors and crew before filming began. Two Belgian Malinois named Sloth and Butch were alternated in the part of Curtis, the beloved pet of Erica (Foster) and David (Andrews).

The brave cast and crew