Puppy Jay, canine content creator and rising action star, managed to make some time for a quick interview. You may know him as the younger half of Doxie Din and Puppy Jay, with Doxie Din now retired. His latest barkbuster is Mission: Impawsible Dog Nation Part 2, where he embodies the style and stunts of Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt to recreate famous scenes from the film series. With Part 2 in partnership with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, now in theaters. Mission: Impawsible Dog Nation Part 1 was released last year (also seen below).
Celebrity Pets: Puppy Jay, you’ve faced some ruff situations in your long list of acting credits, but how did playing Ethan Hunt compare to, say, figuring out a tricky treat puzzle?
Puppy Jay: Honestly?? I loved filming both part 1 AND part 2 of Mission: Impawsible! ‘Cause here’s the rule — the harder the video and the longer the shoot, the MORE treats you get. And I loooove treats. So now I’m already pitching Mission: Impawsible Part 3 — Doggy Reckoning to my hoomans!!
CP: Tom Cruise is famous for his intense training. What was your training regimen like to prepare for these epic doggy stunts? Extra zoomies? Playing dead every day?
Puppy Jay: Oh yeah, this kinda mission is NOT for untrained dachshunds. Like, do not try this at home, floofs.
Me and Din spent a lot of time training with a doggy fitness coach! She taught my mom all these cool exercises, and now we do them regularly. Nothing crazy — mostly balance work and walking on wobbly mats and stuff. No risky moves without a pro!
And ok, I’ll let you in on my top secret technique: chasing squirrels in my sleep. No joke (or maybe just a little ) — if I dream about squirrels all night, I feel SO much stronger in the morning!!
CP: What was the most challenging part of performing these stunts? You looked like a natural sneaking in those vents, but I imagine riding a dirtbike took some practice.
Puppy Jay: OMG okay listen. When I pitched my idea for the ad, I was like, “Let’s do all the stunts for real, just like Tom Cruise!” Including the motorbike AND the parachute jump!! But like… the studio had some issues with insurance…
So yeah — you probably didn’t even notice ‘cause the VFX were INSANE — but the bike and parachute were done with CGI! My crew are wizards!!
CP: What was the hardest part of the shoot?
The HARDEST part was getting my ears to flap like I was skydiving!! Not even our Dyson hairdryer could pull it off. We had to borrow this GIANT industrial fan from a friend. It finally lifted my ears mid-air and made the shot look LEGENDARY.
CP: The vent crawl is a staple in action movies, with the scene from the first Mission: Impossible one of the most iconic in cinema history. How was shooting this scene? It seems your dachshund physique is a perfect match for it.
The vent crawl? Total fave. I didn’t just walk through it — I actually followed sound cues! My mom tapped the duct and I knew where to turn. So simple, but soooo effective. Sad we had to throw it out — it took up so much space…
CP: Ah so there were some special effects and not just practical stunts! Was it difficult acting in front of a greenscreen? Or does channeling your inner Ethan Hunt come easy to you?
Puppy Jay: Yes actors sometimes do need a lil’ Hollywood Magic… But for real — I’m a world-class actor. Green screen, blue screen, on location — it’s all the same to me. Actually, chroma key has its perks! It’s like, 1,000 degrees outside in Montenegro, but indoors with AC? PERFECTION. More takes = perfect shot.
Winter though? I’m all about that beach life. So many SMELLS!
CP: What message do you have for all your fans who now see you as an action hero? Can they expect more blockbuster stunts from you in the future?
Puppy Jay: Yessir!! I feel like I’m in peak shape and the PERFECT age to be a movie star! My bro Doxie Din did action vids too when he was my age (or a bit older), so I’m just following in his pawsteps.
Action, comedy, maybe even superhero stuff — it’s ALL coming soon for my fans! And if I ever get tired of that… maybe I’ll switch to drama. I am a dachshund of great emotional range. Might even score that Oscar some day!
Make sure to follow Puppy Jay and Doxie Din on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and on YouTube at @PupJay and @DoxieDin.
And in case you missed it, check out our original interview with Doxie Din and Puppy Jay.
