Stunt Dog Experience Showcases Rescue Dogs in Interactive, High-Energy Show

Diggy the Dog joins audience members on stage during Stunt Dog Experience. Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

 

By Kate Scriven

Diggy the Dog joins audience members on stage during Stunt Dog Experience. Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
Diggy the Dog joins audience members on stage during Stunt Dog Experience. Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

Intelligence. Endurance. Speed. Accuracy. Leaping ability.

And extreme cuteness.

Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience at Olympia’s The Washington Center for the Performing Arts will showcase all of these and more during two shows on November 22. Dog trainer and rescue advocate Chris Perondi will bring his beloved dogs to the Washington Center stage to entertain and educate families from around the South Sound with the dogs’ high-flying tricks and amazing abilities.

“We are thrilled to be bringing the much-loved Stunt Dog Experience back for two performances,” shares Anne Larsen Matheson, director of marketing for The Washington Center. “This is one of the groups we get the most requests for a return engagement. These dogs are amazing, and the whole family will enjoy their antics and stunts.”

Starting in 1996 as a hobby, Perondi started his training career with his first rescue dog, Pepper. The time spent working together on skills not only was enjoyable, but helped bond he and his canine companion. He began reading and researching about training techniques and his passion began to grow. He launched a local club for training enthusiasts in his California hometown, focusing mainly on the skill of catching flying discs or Frisbees.

Perondi and his talented dogs drew attention wherever they went and it wasn’t long before they were performing together at county fairs, school assemblies and community festivals. Local and national media became aware of the tricks and stunts Perondi and his dogs could perform and he was booking guest appearances including the CBS Early Show and half-time shows for the San Francisco 49ers.

High-flying tricks are just one of the amazing skills you'll see from Chris Perondi's Stunt Dogs. Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
High-flying tricks are just one of the amazing skills you’ll see from Chris Perondi’s Stunt Dogs. Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

The response to his act was overwhelming and Perondi eventually made the decision to make his hobby his career. “I quit my job, sold my house, bought an RV, and in 2001 the dogs and I hit the road to launch Stunt Dog Productions full time,” shares Perondi.

There have been many dogs and numerous new tricks and talents added throughout the years as Perondi and his dogs honed their act for theme parks and outdoor events. In 2011, Perondi and his pups launched the indoor stage show Stunt Dog Experience. This high-energy show involving audience participation is a perfect fit for dog lovers, kids and adults alike. Kids in the audience are invited on stage to participate in stunts and the many challenges have the audience cheering for the clever canines. Agility and speed challenges illustrate just how in-sync Perondi and his dogs are. Mascot Diggy the Dog high-fives the kids, dancing dogs elicit laughs and “awws,” big air stunts will make you gasp and the “Stunt Dog Triathlon” will leave you amazed. Families are encouraged to linger in the lobby after the show for a chance to meet (and pet) a few stars from the show.

Although the stunts are amazing, Perondi’s most important mission is sharing a message promoting pet adoption and rescue. “All of our dogs are rescues from shelters or the pound,” he shares. “Most dogs come to us between 10 months and three years old, which is really the sweet spot for training and bonding.” This can also be the age when that puppy isn’t so small and cute anymore and many dog owners realize they may be in over their heads with a high-energy dog in need of some training and ultimately surrender them to a shelter.

Perondi is able to take these curious, smart, and high-energy dogs and utilize his extensive, positive training methods to turn them into fantastic performers and fantastic pets. “I’ll often get a call from local shelters when a dog comes in that seems like a good fit for our show,” he says. And, while he can’t take them all, the Perondi family currently has 12 dogs they count as not only as part of the show, but as members of the family.

Stunt Dog Experience is an exciting show for the whole family featuring agility, speed and high-flying stunts by Chris Perodi’s trained rescue dogs. Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.
Stunt Dog Experience is an exciting show for the whole family featuring agility, speed and high-flying stunts by Chris Perodi’s trained rescue dogs. Photo courtesy: The Washington Center for the Performing Arts.

All the Stunt Dogs, both active and retired, live with Perondi and his wife at their California home and travel with them everywhere. “They really are our pets and they are in the house, on the bed, and go everywhere with us,” he says.

While Stunt Dog Experience will certainly entertain, more importantly it intends to educate audiences on pet adoption and rescue as well as responsible pet ownership. “We hope that the show inspires people to do more with their dogs and encourages people to try out a bit of training with their pets at home,” he shares. And beyond that, he hopes the show and his message will inspire people to adopt a pet from local shelters and always be sure to have their pets spayed or neutered.

“The importance of rescuing dogs from shelters is a great message to share with our community,” shares Matheson. “The passion that the human performers have for that mission is very evident in their work with the canine performers.”

Don’t let these amazing dogs be the ones having all the fun. Join in the Stunt Dog Experience. Tickets are available now for the two Stunt Dog Experience shows, 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., on November 22 at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Prices range from $10 to $28 and can be purchased online here or at The Washington Center box office at 512 Washington Street in downtown Olympia.