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So we’ve already discussed that your dog doesn't need to know any fancy tricks to be a great model in your pet portrait session. But what if you do want to teach them a few things before we bring the camera out? Below, I’ll outline a few great things to teach your dog for a fun pet photography session. Please note that each trick listed below is optional. The most important thing to me is people and pet safety. If for any reason there is a concern with completing or training any of the below tricks, then I will not ask you to do them during our session. Using positive reinforcement with lots of treats and praise is important when teaching your pet.
Stay/wait: One of the best tricks for a pup to know on a photo shoot is stay/wait. This gives me a few seconds to snap some great photos.
Recall: Having a strong recall is crucial to working with dogs off-leash. If your pup isn’t able to consistently return to you when called, I will require the photo session to occur on-leash for safety reasons. Your pup should return to you even when environmental stimuli such as other dogs, people, or animals are present. Additionally, we can use recall to grab some great photographs! Fun ideas include action shots of your pup running towards us, or approaching the camera down a trail.
Sit: There are many fun options available with the sit command! We can use this trick to place your pup in a variety of locations to capture lots of unique photos of your pup.
Down: A classic dog trick, this command brings your pup’s eye closer to the ground. Dogs are usually very comfortable when laying down, which shows in the photo. If your dog is happy in the moment, they will look happy in the photo as well.
Rest chin on ground: This cute trick can add a lot of emotion to a photograph. It’s easy to teach and is a fun variation from lay down!
Beg/sit pretty: This cute trick is fun for showcasing your dog’s personality. Additionally, we can use this trick to capture interaction between you and your pet. Please note, this trick is a little harder to teach, and not all dogs may be able to complete it. If your dog is injured, very young or old, or does not show interest in learning this trick, do not force them into it. Ask your vet before teaching this trick if you have any questions about your dog’s physical ability to complete this behavior.
Shake/high five: Asking your dog to shake or give you a high five creates a great moment of connection during our photo shoot!
Hold an item in their mouth: The opportunities are endless with this cute trick. You can bring props, promote a brand, showcase a love of sticks or tennis balls, and much more when you teach your dog to hold something in its mouth! Please use caution when teaching this trick. As always, respond to your dog’s communication and body language with you. If they are not interested in this behavior, or if there is any biting behavior you are concerned about, then please consider other tricks instead.
Again, your dog does not need to be specially trained for us to capture some stellar photos. But if you have a specific photo in mind, teaching these fun tricks to your dog are a great place to start.
Need help learning how to teach your dog? There are many great resources available in Wallowa County and online! If you are interested, check out a local dog training program such as the Wallowa County Humane Society. Or, you can learn a lot from YouTube videos. As always, please remember that training a dog requires patience and persistence. Lots of rewards and praise are very helpful in the learning process!
If you’re ready to book your dog photography session, let me know! I’m excited to meet you and your pup.
Please note, I am not a professional dog trainer, and these ideas should not be used as training curriculum. Please consult a trainer if you have questions about anything on this page.
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