How Top Dog Trainers Keep Their Dogs Healthy: Expert Q&A with Bente Dubnitzki

We sat down with Bente Dubnitzki, a certified canine behaviorist, film & tv dog trainer and now agility dog coach with over 30 years of experience, to uncover what really goes into keeping high-performance dogs in top condition. From injury prevention to daily recovery routines, Bente shares real-world insights every dog owner should know.

Dog Cloud: What's your background as a dog trainer?

Bente: I’ve worked as a dog trainer and behaviourist for over 30 years, almost 40 years, focusing on practical, effective methods rooted in understanding canine body language and behaviour. I’ve specialised in helping late-socialised dogs and reactive cases, using calm, confident handling, high-value rewards, and a lot of patience. Over the years, I’ve trained dogs not only for pet homes but also for Film & TV, where reliability and precision are critical.

That naturally evolved from having well-trained, confident dogs who could handle pressure and distraction, which caught the attention of people in the industry. Agility came later and grew out of my desire to keep my own dogs mentally and physically engaged. It quickly turned into a passion — I love the precision and the teamwork involved. One of my dogs in particular, a Jack Russell, has been a standout, with brilliant form and endless enthusiasm.

Bente with her dogs at their Dog Cloud recovery zone at agility centre.

Dog Cloud: What are some memorable moments on movie sets?

Bente: On Elvis, my 4.4 kg dog Mr. Big was in a sugar cane field, sitting next to an actor while a massive drone — almost the size of a helicopter — took off just behind him. He didn’t flinch. Just sat there like a statue, completely focused, despite the deafening noise and wind from the rotors.

In Aquaman, the set was busy — dozens of stand-ins, a church choir, constant movement. Mr. Big had to walk calmly beside an actor around the famous fountain scene with Jason Momoa and Amber Heard. He handled all the noise and action like a pro. Long hours, intense environment — once we got home, he crashed out on his Dog Cloud Bed to recharge for the next day.

For the Australian TV series Harrow, my dog MacGyver had to find a dead body in a pool and bark to alert his owner. The whole scene was shot with a drone, which meant I couldn’t be anywhere near him. I was crammed in a tiny pool shed in 97-degree heat, trying to hand signal from a distance without being seen. He nailed it — but that one was tough. All the training paid off in this scene.

Bente's impressive resume working on film sets and commercials (such as Aquaman 2018, Elvis 2020, Romance on the Menu 2020).

Dog Cloud: What's it like working with dogs on a movie set?

Bente: Set work is long days — often 10 to 12 hours — and a lot of it is just waiting. You’re called in early, but the actual filming with the dog might only be a few minutes long. So most of the day is about keeping the dog calm, settled, and ready to switch on when needed.When working with actors, especially on big productions, the pressure is high. You need a dog that can hit marks, ignore distractions, and repeat behaviours exactly, take after take. You also need to be able to quickly adapt if the director changes something on the spot — which happens all the time.

While waiting around, I make sure the dog is resting in a quiet spot, ideally with a comfy setup like a crate or their Dog Cloud bed. I keep them mentally fresh, don’t over-rehearse, and always protect their energy and welfare. It’s not a job for every dog — they need solid nerves, reliable training, and the ability to cope with sudden loud noises, weird equipment, and unpredictable human behaviour.

People often assume it’s all glamour, but it’s actually a lot of discipline, patience, and careful management behind the scenes.

McGyver working on commerical film set for RACQ.

Dog Cloud: Why did you recently start more agility training?

Bente: I started including more agility training because I wanted to give my dogs something that challenged them both mentally and physically. After years of film and behaviour work, agility offered a new outlet — one that builds focus, precision, and fitness, but still feels like play to the dog.

It’s also been great for relationship-building. You can’t fake teamwork in agility — the dog has to want to work with you, read your body language, and stay engaged. That’s helped sharpen their responsiveness and impulse control, even outside the ring.

Plus, for high-drive or sensitive dogs, it’s a brilliant way to channel energy and build confidence. It gives them a job, a purpose, and they absolutely love it. The competition side came naturally once I saw how much they enjoyed the work — and it’s kept me on my toes too.I also make sure they’re physically looked after. They’re on good food, rest on their Dog Cloud bed, and I support them with biomechanical fitness work to keep their bodies strong, balanced, and injury-free

Bente & Dudley working weekly with dog agility training.

Dog Cloud: What is agility training like for dogs?

Bente: Agility is high-impact and fast, so proper training and recovery are non-negotiable. It’s not just about running courses — the dogs need core strength, body awareness, and controlled movement. I do fitness and conditioning work alongside their agility training to build that foundation and prevent injury. Sessions are short and focused. I don’t overwork them — quality reps over quantity. And I always warm them up properly before we train or compete.

Recovery is just as important. After intense work, they rest on their Dog Cloud Bed, which supports their joints, and I give them downtime to fully recover. Good nutrition, hydration, and regular biomechanical checks are part of the routine. These dogs are athletes — and I treat them like it

Preztel finishing his agility run and jumping straight into Dog Cloud recovery.

Dog Cloud: Why do you do what you do?

Bente: My main goal is to keep my dogs fit, happy, and mentally sharp as they age. I want to keep competing in agility with the ones who enjoy it and keep training the younger ones with a solid foundation.

My goal is always the same: dogs that are calm, focused, and capable — and enjoy the work as much as I do.