Meet Kuna Tulsa King’s Canine Star

By Taylor Bollinger

Much of the 2022 crime drama, Tulsa King, was shot in Oklahoma, bringing stars the size of Sylvester Stalone to our state. The hit show also featured a four-legged Oklahoman named Kuna. The German Shepherd rose to her role, largely by accident, but her owner hopes it’s just the start of a dazzling canine career.

“A friend of mine was bathing her dogs at a pet supply store when she ran into someone from Reride Animal Talent,” explained Kuna’s owner, Brenda Walker. “They told her they needed a German Shepherd for a show and so she connected them with me. At first, I didn’t think it was real.”

For Brenda, dog training started as a hobby. “It really started when I got Kuna in 2016,” Brenda said. “I needed something to do outside of work. I started watching a lot of YouTube videos, and learning from other trainers. I found what I liked, what I disliked, and I adapted my training style accordingly.” The hobby has since developed into a business, as Brenda trains her own animals and others in agility and everyday skills specific to each dog and its owner.

As production meetings progressed, Brenda realized the opportunity was genuine and Kuna was the dog for the job. The role required Kuna to complete a variety of tasks—running across the street, barking from a window, and relieving herself on a character’s lawn – the last of which escalates into a fight between Kuna’s fictional owner, Larry, and mobster, Dwight Manfredi. These tasks were challenging, but Brenda felt confident that with her background in dog training, paired with the experts at Reride Animal Talent, it could be done.

“We ran some scenes as many as 15 times,” Brenda said. “There was a lot of back and forth, and of course certain elements they required had to be carefully timed, to put it delicately.” Ultimately, producers were pleased with Kuna’s performance, seen in season one, episodes two and four.

The experience left Brenda beaming with pride. “Kuna has done a lot for me. She is my ‘heart dog’,” Brenda said. “A lot of people think you only get one of those in your lifetime, but I hope not. I don’t know what I would do without her. Kuna is the first dog I bred, and she’s done so many amazing things with me and for me.”

While not all dogs are suited for the screen, Brenda encourages owners to remain optimistic about their dogs' abilities. “Don’t believe the saying. Old dogs can learn new tricks,” she said. “They learn new things all the time.”