Animal expert Victoria Schade working with dogs on the set of "Puppy Bowl XXI," airing Sunday. (Animal Planet/Warner Bros. Discovery)
If you’ve ever tuned into the popular "Puppy Bowl," you’ve likely noticed the adorable puppies playing on screen, but behind the scenes, there’s a key person making sure the little furballs are safe, happy, and ready for the camera. That person is Victoria Schade, a dog trainer and novelist who serves as the show’s lead puppy trainer and wrangler. She works tirelessly to ensure that the puppies are calm and conflict-free, creating the perfect environment for them to shine during the game.
Victoria’s job is to keep the puppies happy and safe while they play, ensuring their well-being is always a top priority. She is the one who gets the puppies to look up during "The Star-Spangled Banner" or runs them through tunnels to the starting line. She also watches for any signs of stress or nervousness in the dogs. If any puppy needs a break, she steps in to give them some time to relax.
Victoria has been working with the "Puppy Bowl" for 19 years, making her the longest-serving member of the show’s crew. In addition to her work with the puppies, she is also involved with the kitten halftime show. She describes filming the show as her favorite week of the year. "I think she is one of the most dedicated, hardest working people out there in the business," says "Puppy Bowl" referee Dan Schachner, who has worked with Victoria for 14 years. "She never runs out of energy and always brings positivity to the set."
Over the years, Victoria has coached hundreds of dogs but had never adopted one from the show—until recently. This year, she decided to adopt Boris, also known as Mr. Pickles on the show, from a Dallas dog rescue. "I saw star quality in him," she says. "So this was the year."
As the lead trainer, Victoria has developed several techniques to get the puppies to perform. She uses treats and funny noises to grab their attention. If you see a puppy looking up at the camera, it's usually because Victoria is nearby with a treat.
This year, Victoria is stepping out of the shadows and will be joining Schachner on camera for a pre-game kickoff show. The one-hour show will feature a doggie combine and draft, along with special segments from country singer Dan Smyers and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi.
Victoria’s experience extends beyond just puppy wrangling. She has developed a skill for knowing when a puppy might need to relieve itself. "One of my 'Puppy Bowl' skills is reading butts," she jokes. "I know when a puppy is going to go to the bathroom, and I’ll say, 'Watch out in the 20-yard-line, we’re going to have a deposit.'"
The "Puppy Bowl" was created as a fun, lighthearted alternative to the Super Bowl, featuring puppies running around scoring "touchdowns" by carrying toys across the goal line. But the event has a deeper purpose: it promotes pet adoption. Many of the puppies featured on the show are from animal shelters, showing viewers that there are lovable dogs in need of homes everywhere.
This year’s "Puppy Bowl" will feature 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states, with 11 special needs dogs. Among them are Jolene, a pitbull mix in a wheelchair, a three-legged Boston terrier, and Sprinkle, a blind and deaf Australian shepherd.
For Victoria, the "Puppy Bowl" is not only about the fun and cuteness but also about spreading awareness. "I always want to remind people that these dogs can be found in shelters, and adopting one changes a life," she says.
