Cell Phone Dog Photography Education Series: Lesson 6, Force Free Methods

In the sixth lesson of Cell Phone Dog Photography we are covering how to use force free, fear free and R+ methods in our photography!

Sniffing is proven to relieve stress for your pup!

Did you know that studies have shown that when dogs sniff their heart rate goes down? The more that your pup sniffs, the more their heart rate goes down. Sniffing has a calming effect and that it may help reduce anxiety and stress. This is why we encourage your dog to sniff during photo sessions!

SNIFFARI AND PATIENCE
ALLOW YOUR DOG TIME TO SNIFF AND ACCLIMATE TO THE AREA THAT YOU ARE PHOTOGRAPHING THEM AT. GIVE YOU AND YOUR PUP PATIENCE WHILE PHOTOGRAPHING, THE LESS HURRIED AND CALM YOU ARE, THE BETTER EVERYTHING WILL GO.

FORCE FREE METHODS
DON'T USE ANY INHUMANE METHODS, SUCH AS HITTING, PRONG COLLARS, SHOCK COLLARS, ETC. USE POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TO ENSURE THAT YOUR DOG ASSOCIATES PHOTO TIME AS FUN TIME. GIVE THEM TREATS, GIVE THEM SNIFF BREAKS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, ALLOW THEM TO OPT OUT.

SHOW THEM LOVE
TELL YOUR DOG THAT YOU LOVE THEM, TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE PERFECT AND BEAUTIFUL. PET THEM, SCRATCH THEIR FAVORITE SPOTS AND SHOW THEM ALL OF THE LOVE.

BODY LANGUAGE
PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR BODY LANGUAGE. IF THEY ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF DISCOMFORT OR STRESS, STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND TAKE A SNIFF BREAK OR GIVE THEM TREATS.

USE LONG LINES
LONG LINES ARE GREAT WAY TO GIVE YOUR DOG SPACE TO SNIFF AND EXPLORE. THEY ARE ALSO NICE TO USE TO GIVE YOUR DOG SPACE TO OPT OUT OF PHOTOS AND TAKE A BREAK.

OVERSTIMULATION
USE NOISES AND TOYS SPARINGLY. WE DON'T WANT TO OVER STIMULATE OUR DOG AND CREATE A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE FOR THEM. ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR CAMERA SET UP AND YOUR DOG HAS SETTLED, THEN MAKE YOUR NOISE BRIEFLY TO CAPTURE THEIR INITIAL REACTION.

LET THEM BE
MY FAVORITE ADVICE: LET YOUR DOG BE. LET THEM MAKE THE CHOICE TO STAND, SIT, OR LAY DOWN. I NEVER ASK A DOG TO SIT OR LAY DOWN IN A SESSION, I WANT THEM TO BE RELAXED AND BE THEMSELVES, THE EASIEST WAY TO ACHIEVE THAT IS TO ALLOW THEM TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES.

HUGS AND KISSES
ONLY KISS OR HUG YOUR DOG IF THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR DOG'S REACTION WHEN YOU INTERACT WITH THEM. MY GO-TO IS THE HALF HUG, PUT ONE ARM AROUND THEM AND WAIT AND SEE WHAT THEY DO.