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For scenes in which Parker holds the puppy under his arm outdoors, the puppy was first bundled in a blanket and then tucked under the actor's coat for added warmth.įor the scene in which Hachi goes through the train station in a carrier, the puppy was placed in a bamboo pet carrier, which had a blanket inside for cushioning. For the scene in which Parker (Richard Gere) takes the puppy out of the partly closed backpack, the puppy was only inside the pack for a brief moment, and the opening allowed for plenty of air circulation. The breed of long-haired dog used for the film is comfortable in this weather however, as an added measure of comfort, the dogs were warmed and rested after outdoor scenes.įor scenes in which Hachi is seen in a backpack, a leather backpack was lined with a blanket and trainers placed the well-rehearsed puppy inside with its head poking out. All food used was deemed safe for canine consumption and takes were limited to avoid overfeeding.įalling snow and freezing rain seen in the film were effects added in post-production. For scenes in which a puppy or dog licks a person or object, dog food or baby food was used to entice the dog to lick. For "fetch" scenes, treats were scattered around near a ball to get the puppy to pursue the treats and ignore the ball. The well-trained dogs were accustomed to these actions. Three Akitas were alternated in the role of Hachi as an adult.įor scenes in which the dog performs mild action, such as sitting, lying down, walking on stairs or near actors, being held, or walking from one point to another, trainers placed the dog on its mark and stood off-camera, using hand signals and verbal commands to cue the action. Two Shiba Inu puppies were alternated in the role of Hachi as a puppy. For shots that included a barbeque grill, the dogs were kept a safe distance from the grill.Ī stuffed prop dog was used during most of the rehearsals. The dog's pathway was cleared of debris beforehand. For scenes in which Hachiko ("Hachi") walks on train tracks, off-camera trainers walked alongside the dog and cued the mild walking action. For scenes at the train station, trains were stationary whenever an animal was on the set the only time animals were allowed near moving trains is when actors held them. The shed was kept at a comfortable temperature - heat was turned on when needed. For shots in which the dog is seen in a shed, the area was inspected for debris, and dog beds or blankets were placed on the ground for comfort.
All fences were checked to make sure there were no sharp edges. All streets were blocked to traffic while filming. General safety precautions were taken on all of the sets.