Some dogs are easy...

[rpcrowe]

Some dogs are hard to photograph. They could be nervous or scared or just hyper but, I need three images of each dog and sometimes I have to struggle to get those three

But some dogs, like Ginger, are easy. Ginger is a Shihtsu puppy who is a natural camera hog

[wilgk]

What a beauty she is!
I pick 3rd from right, bottom row.

[skitterbug]

I agree with Kay! That is the same one I picked - Ginger's head is cocked but has an alert and direct look at the world! What a cute puppy!

Do you use a clicker or a squeekie toy to grab your dogs attention while trying to photograph them? You do an excellent job, that's for sure! These dogs are lucky to have you "in their corner"!

[rpcrowe]

Thanks Kay and Sandy...

I did not use a clicker or a toy to get Ginger's attention. I didn't have to. She was attentive from the start. Just making some clicking noises caused her head to tilt in a cute way.

I will often use a toy or a treat to get the dogs attention. I also use a squeaker that is available from craft stores and is designed to be sewn inside stuffed toys.



I will hold the squeaker between my teeth and clamping down will activate the squeak. This way, my hands are free and the dog looks directly at the squeak and thus directly into the lens.

A problem with some dogs is that they get frightened and their ears pin back which looks terrible. If I have a really frightened dog, I will halt the photo session and resume a day of two later after the dog has become used to the strange environment. That is the advantage of having the dog living with me. My home made chicken jerky goes a long way in gaining a dog's trust!

Photographers at dog shows will often use larger squeak toys and will, after getting the dog's attention with the toy, toss the toy in the air which results in the dog looking up attentively

[wilgk]

Similarly I’ve seen horse folk, toss some grass in the air , once they have horse’s attention