7 minute read
The Making of a Dog Model
WRITTEN BY JEANNE TAYLOR, Staff Writer
When we first brought Roux home in 2015, he was a five-month-old terrorist of a dog and it was a good ten days before I attempted to take any studio photos of him. Confident he would be as challenging for photos as he was in our day-to-day real life, I braced myself for a long session. I imagined my lights being knocked over and backdrops being ripped from the stand while this puppy version of the Tasmanian Devil ran dizzying circles around me. But when that little menace sat where I asked, when I asked, and turned his head just so perfectly, I was stunned. Surely, that was a fluke! But when he then proceeded to make eye contact and complied with more requests than not, I just about fell over. It was then that I knew I had a model on my hands. He was born for this.
Conversely, when we adopted Gracie in 2017, she was TERRIBLE for photos! She avoided looking at the camera or had her ears glued so far back on her head that they looked like they went missing! But with time and practice, she now runs into my studio, jumps on the bench, and waits for her photo opportunities. Where Roux was a natural, Gracie’s skills came with time and practice.
Here’s the thing: THIS DOES NOT COME NATURALLY TO MOST DOGS! Trust me – I meet and work with a LOT of dogs through my business and my volunteering! Think about it – it’s confusing – a giant black eye (which we humans know is the camera) coming toward you! How terrifying! No wonder so many dogs shy away from it.
There are some very easy ways to help your dog become a top model for projects like the annual Lowcountry Dog Model Contest or other photo contests you may want to pursue.
Rule No. 1: Know Your Dog
Your dog likely has many facets to his personality and you will know best what they look like when they are comfortable and confident, happy or worried. Some will pin their ears back when concerned or stressed, but throw them straight up or forward when they are excited or curious. Ears make a big difference in the story a photo will tell. Some dogs overheat very quickly and as a result, their tongue will hold a starring role in their photos. Other generally fearful dogs often will not willingly look at the camera, so you’ll have to work a little harder for their attention.
The Basics
You can never discount the importance of basic obedience training. Solid sit-and-stay commands will do wonders to improve their modeling abilities; the more commands they know, the better! A down stay or a place command will open up a whole other world of potential photo opportunities too. Ideally, make sure they will work for other people too and not just you – this will help when a photographer or other muse may need to instruct them either in your absence or because you are in the photo with them.
Rewards
Most dogs will work for high-value rewards - the higher the value, the better the response. Make it something novel, different from their everyday meals or their usual treats. Find what they love and be sure to have plenty of it on hand for practice and for their modeling sessions exclusively.
Candids, Action and “Dog”umentary Photos
These real-life photos are so fun and will really share a glimpse of your dog’s personality. To capture these successfully, you should plan to have your camera or phone always ready to go because they happen just that quickly.
Portraits
Portraits are, of course, a likeness of the subject either as a photo or another medium, but they are also a representation showing the essence of your subject. THAT is what you want to capture. Is your dog a goof? A somber mutt? Maybe a bit of a diva? The key to a successful portrait isn’t just technical quality – it’s first unlocking WHO THEY ARE so you know what to pursue. It really is more than just being a pretty face.
Modeling
If you are Mom-ager to a dog who aspires to model for print or other social media pursuits, there are easy ways to help prepare your furry charge for success – and these simple tips will actually help your dog’s confidence in other areas of their life as well.
Practice.
Take a few minutes a day or a couple days a week and practice basic commands – sit, stay, down and/or place. As with any training, reward the behavior when they have a successful execution.
Make it fun!
Make it so they WANT to work for you. Expand your tricks when you can – do you have multiple dogs? Teach them to hug! There are so many ways to make them stand out from the rest of the proverbial pack.
Surfaces
Expose your dog to different surfaces – benches, brick ledges, wood planks on docks, etc. The more familiar they are with these different textures, the better equipped they will be to execute your commands when the time comes to do so in public. Always praise the positive reactions –showing no fear or successfully overcoming their fears is truly reward - and praiseworthy!
Exposure
Speaking of the public, the reality of our world is that other dogs and people are everywhere! Scary traffic noises can also be an issue for some pups. Make sure your dog can comfortably handle seeing other dogs or bystanders nearby, even if in the distance. This one can be particularly important for programs like the model contest since your dog may be one who is asked to pose with other dogs (assuming they are dog-friendly), or in settings around the Lowcountry that would be used to create the calendar i.e., parks, docks, marinas or beaches. There is no downside to taking them on field trips or adventures so they are better acquainted with outings when the big day comes for a model shoot.
Safety First
Never sacrifice safety for a photo! Keep your dog leashed in public spaces or according to beach restrictions or other local laws.
Most Important
Please, don’t get frustrated or ever force a behavior.
Some dogs will never be model material - and that’s OKAY! They may try very hard for you, but you will know your pet best and if you see they are uncomfortable when you practice certain tasks, don’t push them to continue to do something you know they don’t enjoy. (I had a stunning dog who hated having her photo taken and nothing I would do would ever change that. It’s just who she was.)
When I asked Mom-ager to Artemis the Aussie, Lowcountry Dog Magazine cover dog from 2022, what she finds most important about training a dog for modeling whether for print or social media, she replied, “The biggest thing about creating content with Artemis has been mood! She really feeds off how I feel. I have learned to always have fun with it and keep everything positive- which is what it should be about in the first place!”
So go get started practicing and see how it goes. Once your dog has nailed their sit and stay, grab your camera or cell phone and see what you can do! And if you need help, you know where to find me. jtpetpics.com ■
