Taking photos of your dog?

Question

Do any of you have problems taking a photo of your dog!? I see people posting perfect photos all the time and have to wonder, how do you do it??

Dom turns his head away at the last second EVERY TIME I try to snap a pic of him. He's never been subject to a flash close to his face from a camera before and I never use one when I'm taking one of him, so that can't be the problem. The only time he's not interested in treats (doggy biscuits, chicken, cheese...) is when I have some in the same hand as a camera as an attempt to make him look at it! And a lab not interested in treats...that's saying something. I've tried using my phone to fool him (maybe he just doesn't like the look of the camera?) but still no taking.

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r169/sarawrr07/DSC00257.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r169/sarawrr07/SP_A0022.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r169/sarawrr07/SP_A0626.jpg

Okay, a legit question - how often do you clip your dog's dew claws? Dom needs his doing every month, the daft thing. He's used to it now, although he gives me the "not this AGAIN!?" eyes :)

Answer 1

Practice practice practice. I take pictures of my dogs all the time so they have learned that when the camera comes out to stay still and look at me. Now they're total hams :)



It helps to have a high quality camera with as short of a delay as possible, which I currently do not.

Answer 2

All you need to do is take a ton of pictures. For every good pic you see of other peples pets, i'm sure 10 more didn't turn out as well. Cats are even harder, lol... every time i put the camera down towards the cat, he gets up and rubs on it! Try teaching a cat "stay"... it's a no deal :)



Tips include: sit stay or down stay (these are a must), and then chuck a toy or a treat, watch for him to perk up, take photo.



Make a funny noise. Do a weird movement. Take photo.



Also some dogs are uncomfortable making sustained eye contact, as it can be seen as an aggressive part of body language.

Answer 3

Photography is a hobby of mine and my Dobermanns are my favourite (though sometimes unwilling) subjects.



I sometimes use the "watch" command if I'm looking for a stacked or posed photo, but the best one are usually the unstudied ones that I catch with my Kodak that's slim enough to fit in my jeans pocket.



Tori's attention can be capture for 30 seconds or so by her squirrel tail toy, but no chance if she spies the real thing.



During the day, I don't use the flash.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/fallonbrooke/



~ Only JJ has dew claws, I clip them once a week when I clip his other claws.Tori had her dew claws removed before I collected her ~

Answer 4

The more you take, the more likely you'll have a chance of getting something decent!!! hahah... I take TONS of pics.



http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334/kwinnypoo/Walk012.jpg



http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334/kwinnypoo/SOcute.jpg



http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334/kwinnypoo/ooo005.jpg



http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/ee334/kwinnypoo/Football.jpg



All in hopes of getting decent photos such as those!



As far as nail clipping, I clip them when they need 'em, sometimes it's once a month, sometimes more. I can only do two feet at a time, because she gets all crazy, so I'll do the back feet, then a few days later the front feet, or visa versa.

Answer 5

He he... My lab loves the camera!!! So I don`t know if I can help you here. But anyway: take lots of pictures in a situation- one of them will turn out good! :0) They are always busy doing something new all the time, maybe you should try to have the camera around- not taking pictures. That way he will get used to it.. Maybe.. :0)

Answer 6

I wish I had a good answer for you! I have the same problem with my dog. He is usually the cutest thing ever, until he sees the camera and his whole temperment changes. For some reason he hates it!! He just looks up at me like "not again". I have tried everything to get a good picture of him. The only thing I have found that really works is if you sneak up on him. LOL



Other than that!! I think its impossible!

Answer 7

It takes a long time with some dogs to get them to sit for a good picture. When I photograph dogs, I usually bring out the camera first. Let them smell it. Let them realize it's not a toy. I might sit by them and take a few pictures of something else- like a tree or whatever- so they get used to me taking pictures and stop caring. Then I'll give them a toy to play with or a treat to eat.



Click your tongue or say their name right before you take the picture so they'll look your direction.



Also, you can try to get some of them when they aren't paying any attention at all. Some of my best dog shots are with the dog playing with the kids or splashing in the water at the lake.

Answer 8

Yes, the focus command is a good one! Sometimes I just do the "kissy sound" and they look. I have a bit of a problem with cody sometimes, but Emmet just loves the camera.



Em

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk412/IlovemyGolden94/PICT0883.jpg

Co

http://i310.photobucket.com/albums/kk412/IlovemyGolden94/cody0293.jpg



Edit** Kristin your dogs are beautiful!

Answer 9

He's a nice looking dog. Maybe he just doesn't like the flash. My Mutt's pics are perfect, but maybe that's because he has had pics taken of him everywhere, by everybody. When we were in the pet store, a Nutro rep. asked me if she could take a couple pictures of him on her cell, and I said yes. Tiger posed, and she got perfect pics of him! He got his nails clipped when he was a pup once, but other than that, he never got his nails clipped because he wears them down on the road so much.

===

ADD:

Here are his perfect pics:

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=388052533&albumId=1057601

Answer 10

I have tons of pretty good pictures. The key is to stay focused and keep snapping pictures. Out of dozens, there may only be a couple I like, but it's better than taking a few and having none.



Also try whistling or calling his name. Keep the camera ready, and as soon as he looks, take the picture! Then give him a treat.



Here's a bunch, either taken by me or my dad.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/petlove1995/Judge/Judgeinator.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/petlove1995/Judge/Judgeyandtheantlers.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/petlove1995/Judge/JubbLub.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/petlove1995/Judge/BetterJudgeTv.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/petlove1995/Judge/Judgesquirreltree.gif

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/petlove1995/Judge/Scream.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a274/petlove1995/Judge/Judgeandchipmunk.jpg



I have more too, lol



I trim his dews once they start looking a little long. I try not to do it that frequently just because he doesn't like it much, but when it's time to do it I do it.

Answer 11

The "FOCUS" command, or making high-pitched sounds while you're taking the photo to get him to look at you.



http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Undesired_Flame/Pet%20Photos/Max/?start=all

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Undesired_Flame/Pet%20Photos/Roxy/?start=all

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v619/Undesired_Flame/Pet%20Photos/Sparky/?start=all



The dogs that DO have dew claws, I clip them the same time I clip their nails, which is about once every week and a half.



ADD> Milly, is than an African Grey? Is it friendly!? WOW! Every AG that I've ever seen tried to rip my hand and or fingers off.

Answer 12

My two tend to sit still while l take a photo, and Milly is a bit of a poser, soon as she sees the camera she's straight in front of it.

Amy's not quite as good and will look away, so l tend to take loads of photos and pick the best ones, that's the beauty of digital cameras.



Milly's never need clipping, but Amy needs hers doing every couple of months.



One of my favourite photo's of Milly and Amy.



http://flickr.com/photos/millypeed/2068479636/in/photostream/



Bob the parrot's getting very photogenic as well.



http://flickr.com/photos/millypeed/2836911849/



Edit...Yes P.P. it is an African Grey and he is friendly, hand reared so he's tame. Just need to train him to stop crapping on my head!! lol. Just had to put him back in his cage because he kept trying to dance on the keyboard!

Answer 13

yur dog is soooo cute uu just have tio teach him the command stay still or dont move or u could do when u are takin the picture put your hand by the camera and then click yur fingers and your dog will be focusin oon your hand and not the other intrestin stuff i do this with my dog :)





heres my doggy



http://www.1stopfordogs.com/images/dogs2005/german-shepherd-alexmonth5.jpg



http://www.silverhillshepherds.com/argus-female-puppy.jpg



there she when she was small it looks so profesional hehe

Answer 14

it just depends on the dog sometime iv got 2 labs and one can sit still and sometime the other one doesn't you should try saying his name show him a treat keep say look at me ... or tire him out before taking the photo

Answer 15

Some dogs are just posers!! My dog loves the camera I've got tons of pictures of him. I've got loads on my computer, here's just one pic of him!



http://www.new.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=259923&l=e1434&id=737012753



Don't know about dew claws he hates having his feet touched!

Answer 16

I take A LOT of pictures, and the best option I have of getting my dogs to look is waving something interesting around behind the camera while I'm taking the picture.



http://i38.tinypic.com/2u5gje0.jpg -Bernadette

Alvin and Dougie- http://i35.tinypic.com/izaoh0.jpg

http://i36.tinypic.com/2evrji8.jpg -Alvin and Bernadette

Answer 17

i clip them once a week. and for your other question he probably doesnt like the way the camera is facing him (imitating staring at him) Dogs dont like to be stared at it makes them feel intimidated and it is like challenging them. i use treats i hold them behind and under my camera so it gives the illusion that she is staring at the camera

Answer 18

my dogs are a bit like that. they will be doing a lovely pose, then as soon as i get the camera out they will move. its so annoying

Answer 19

awwww, he's still adorable!!!

But Nope, it's quite easy taking photo's of Loki. He stays so still, maybe it's got something to do with his gun dog breed??



here's some,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29735570@N08/2773532903/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/29735570@N08/2773550577/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/29735570@N08/2853028744/



http://www.flickr.com/photos/29735570@N08/2852200109/



But I do find it hard to take pictures of cats!! They always move...



Loki's get done, I think, once a month

Answer 20

sorry cant help but your dog is gawgess



+ i love your dogs friends fur ever

Answer 21

Teach him a "watch me" or "focus" command. Once he has it down, you can start taking pictures of him while he is doing it.

Answer 22

<----my pit can't get enough ... he loves pix ......

and he loves to pose ......



I just use to hand most the time and he redirects all his attention to it ......



Does your dog have a favorite toy ?? that could work ...