Hypnodog

Hypnodog is a canine stage hypnotist act.

Professional hypnotist Hugh Lennon discovered Oscar, a 10-month-old black Labrador Retriever puppy, on a farm in Yorkshire.^[1] Lennon states that initially he bought Oscar as a pet and brought him to shows for companionship, but "one night I brought him on stage with me. He started staring at this girl and she fell into hypnosis, without me doing a thing".^[2] Lennon maintains that a number of dogs and other carnivores have a natural ability to hypnotise prey.^[3]

In 1995, Oscar made headlines in the UK and all over the world, when he went missing while appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland.^[4] Oscar is also familiar to many students of English as a second language, as materials about Oscar and his act are featured in the Oxford University Press English language course.^[5]

In 2001, after 12 years performing, Oscar's eyesight failed and he was no longer able to hold the penetrating stare necessary for stage hypnosis.^[6] Open auditions were held at the Weymouth Pavilion for a replacement dog; the eventual replacement chosen was Milo, a three-year-old German Shepherd-Rottweiler crossbreed.^[3] However, Lennon later worked with Murphy, one of Oscar's sons.^[7]

Lennon and the Hypnodog have appeared on numerous television and radio shows, including This Morning and Kelly,^[8][9] and at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.^[10][11]

Hugh retired his act in 2007. Hugh Lennon is now deceased and will be remembered for his work as an extra in Star Wars - A New Hope, where he played the part of a Stormtrooper on the Deathstar as well as a rebel in the briefing room and medal ceremony.