So, you’ve decided to pimp out your dating profile with a dog photo. Smart move! Dogs can seriously boost your match rate on dating apps. In fact, research shows that 63% of singles are more likely to swipe right on a profile with a dog photo. If you want to read more about why dog photos are effective, check out my handy dandy blog about it here.

Let’s talk about how to get a photo with Captain Jack Barkness that will make her swoon.

The Magic of Dog Photos

A picture with a dog on your dating profile isn’t just a cute addition—it’s a window into your personality. It screams, “I’m kind, caring, and I know how to share my life with another being.”

A good dog photo can make your prospective matches feel more relaxed, increase their sense of wellbeing, and even give you brownie points for being a good person. All dog photos are not created equally, however. It’s incredibly important that the photo emphasizes your relationship with the dog.

Taking Photos With Your Dog

Taking a photo with your own dog? First, please give him a few pets from me, and then let’s talk about how to get photos that’ll capture all the right vibes:

Choose the Right Moment: Dogs have moods, just like us. Pick a time when your dog is relaxed, happy, and too exhausted to be hyperactive. Give them the best day of their life before you exploit them for dating app photos. It’s a win/win for both of you.
Get Down to Their Level: Sit or lie down next to your dog, or put them on whatever furniture you’re sitting on. No bending down or holding them up like a prop. It’s a weird angle that’s rarely attractive and it’s unlikely to showcase your relationship with the pup.
Playtime Snaps: Capture candid moments of play. We need to see you guys interacting and having fun together. You’re BFFs, so act like it!
Natural Light: Always opt for natural light. It’s flattering and gives your photo a warm, inviting feel. Plus, it’ll make his eyes sparkle!

Treats and Toys: Use your dog’s favorite treat or toy to get their attention. A dog looking lovingly at you (or eagerly at a treat) is always a winner.
Set Up a Tripod: Set up the tripod well in advance, so that Winnie the Poodle has time to sniff it to her heart’s content. Wait until she completely loses interest in the tripod before getting started so that she’ll focus on you during the photoshoot.
Enlisting a Friend: If you ask a friend to take the photo instead of using a tripod, ask them to come over an hour before the actual photoshoot so that your dog can get their zoomies and excitement out. You know your dog better than anyone else, if they’re an excitable little hamball, don’t set yourself up for failure with a tight schedule.
Capture Cuteness: Turn up the cute factor with a photo/video of you and your dog sharing popcorn while watching a movie, him licking your face, rocking in a hammock together, or feeding him a Puppuccino. The goal is for every woman who sees this photo to feel her ovaries explode from the cuteness.

Photos with a Borrowed Buddy

No dog? No paw-blem! Borrowing a friend’s dog is completely fine as long as you’re honest about it when asked.

Prep Work: What do you know about this dog? Is he friendly, anxious, hyper? What are his favorite games? How big is he? The dog's temperament and size has a big impact on how we’re going to frame this photo, so plan as much as you can in advance.
Get Acquainted: He’s likely to be incredibly excited to be a part of whatever is going on, and that is going to lead to blurry photos of him running around like a spaz. Instead, let him get used to you, the tripod, or the photographer.
Treats: Most dogs are food-motivated. With permission from his family, bring some treats along. How would you feel if a stranger showed up at your house to ‘borrow’ you to take a million pics with? He’s kinda weirded out, man. Show him you can be trusted.
Go for a Walk: A walk can help build a quick bond. Plus, it’ll tire the dog out a bit, making them more likely to sit still for photos.

Find a Quiet Spot: Pick a location where the dog won’t be easily distracted. He doesn’t know you very well and we don’t want to stress him out. A quiet park or a friend’s backyard can be ideal.
Be Patient: Dogs aren’t always cooperative. Be patient and give yourself plenty of time for the photoshoot. If Duke Puppington is anxious or stressed, take a break. Accept that it may take a couple of attempts.
Capture Interaction: Photos of you petting or playing with the dog will come across as more genuine than simply sitting with him.
Good Boy: Make sure that Jabba the Pup knows what a very good boy he is before you return him to his family and use those photos to blow up Hinge.

Realistic Expectations

Manage.Your. Expectations. The number of times my clients have developed insanely unrealistic plans and were sorely disappointed with the reality of trying to communicate a complicated pose to the dude barking at cyclists between bouts of licking his own asshole, is quite large.

Know Your Dog’s Limits: If your dog doesn’t know how to sit still or do tricks, don’t delude yourself into believing that he’ll be able to master the art now that you have a camera pointing at him. Authentic moments are often the best.
Take Lots of Photos: The more photos you take, the better the chances of getting a great shot. If you’re using a tripod, set a timer or play it as a video and use the screen grabs.
Don’t Force It: If Sherlock Bones isn’t feeling it today, don’t push. It’s not fair to him and the photos won’t be usable anyway. Take a break and try another day.
Have Fun: The best photos come when both you and the dog are enjoying yourselves. Keep it light-hearted and fun.
You Matter Too: Don’t forget that this also needs to be a good photo of YOU. Make sure that your clothes fit you well, the angles are flattering, and Droolius Caesar isn’t the only one that needs a good groom beforehand.

Conclusion

And there you have it, now you have everything you need to take the perfect dog photo! A few last thoughts before you run off to find a dog:

Don’t neglect the rest of your profile. Your other photos and prompts are important too- though this dog photo is going to do a lot of the heavy lifting. Soon you’ll have people swiping right faster than you can say, “Who’s a good boy?”.
If you don’t like being around dogs or are allergic to dogs, then don’t force yourself or the dog into an uncomfortable situation. Focus on getting a good hobby, active, or social photo instead.
If you have a dog and send me a cute photo of them, I will send you an Advice by Chloe coupon code and a photo of my cat, Dr. Lara Croft, in exchange. Yes, she has a PhD in Archeology and it’s very impressive.. but she’s also been squatting in my house without paying rent for three years.

If you have any questions or need help with dating apps, you can check out my services or contact me directly.

Cheers,
Chloe 🐾