What Type of Training Does My Dog Need for a Dog Photoshoot?
(Spoiler: No Training Required—But a Little Helps!)
You might be wondering, "Does my dog need to be perfectly trained for a photoshoot?" The answer is absolutely not! At Dog Inspired Photography, I work with dogs of all skill levels, from champion trick dogs to lovable goofballs who don’t even know their own names (yes, it happens!).
As a dog mom myself, I’ve spent a lot of time reading and learning about dog communication. Check out my list of my favorite dog communication books.
A little bit of training can make the session run more smoothly and open up more posing possibilities, but I want you to know that I will meet your dog where they are without any judgments. I’ve seen it all!
Here’s what you need to know.
The One Cue That Helps the Most
If there’s just one thing you can teach your dog before a photoshoot, it’s sit—even if it’s just for a second at a time! Being able to stay in place, even briefly, allows for more structured poses, especially when including family members.
Recently, I had a pet session where the dogs didn’t even know to "sit," which made it trickier to pose them with their parents. While we still got some amazing shots with those beautiful dogs, it did limit the variety of posing.
No Training? No Problem!
If your dog doesn’t know any cues, don’t stress. We use treats, toys, funny noises, and a whole lot of patience to capture beautiful, candid moments. Some of the best photos come from dogs just being themselves—running, playing, or snuggling up with their humans. And the best part is, you would never know that your dog isn’t off leash trained by looking at the final images because I will remove the leashes for them with the magic of Photoshop. Click here if you want to learn more about how that works!
When I say no training is required, I truly mean it!
Bonus Tricks That Make for Adorable Photos
If you’re up for a little extra training, here are a few fun and photogenic tricks to try:
Shake, Wave, or High Five - These add a charming, interactive element to the images.
Kisses on Command - Whether it’s a nose boop or a sweet smooch, it makes for heartwarming moments.
Lay Down - A great way to capture relaxed, cozy shots.
Stay - Perfect for keeping them in position. (Stand say for extra credit!)
Head Tilt - Okay, this one isn’t exactly trainable, but if your pup responds to certain words or sounds with a cute head tilt, let’s use it!
Dog Inspired Photography
At the end of the day, your dog doesn’t need to be a perfectly trained model to have a successful photoshoot. But if you want to prep a little, teaching "sit" (even briefly) can make posing easier and add variety to your gallery of images. And if your dog already knows some fun tricks, let’s show them off!
No matter your dog’s skill level, we’re here to capture their personality, quirks, and all the adorable chaos that comes with it. So, let’s embrace the fun and make some memories!
Click here to learn more about my full-service dog portrait sessions.
If you have any questions or are interested in scheduling a photoshoot, please click here to schedule your free consultation.
