Anxious or reactive dog photography sessions in the Toronto area
/One of the main reasons people hesitate to hire a professional dog photographer is concern about their reactive or anxious dog.
If you have a dog that reacts with fear or aggression when seeing or meeting other dogs, or is anxious and shy about meeting new people, I understand your apprehension about planning a dog photography session where other dogs might walk by or your dog might react to the photographer getting too close.
But there is no need to worry if you hire a Professional Dog Photographer and not simply a photographer who perhaps specializes in weddings or babies, and then decides to add pet photography to their offerings.
Remember - a professional dog photographer is more than just a photographer. Professional dog photographers know how to deal with all kinds of dogs and situations and should have experience with dog training and behaviour!
As someone who is certified by the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers, I am confident that I will be able to work successfully with your dog to create those beautiful photos and timeless memories that you will treasure always.
So how do I deal with reactive dogs during our photography session?
First and foremost it’s important to choose a time and location that is quiet and perhaps an area where your dog is familiar or where you take him/her for walks.
If your dog is anxious around strangers, you can rest assured that with my knowledge of dog behaviour, I have strategies to handle the situation. These strategies are something we can discuss in a complimentary telephone consultation if you want to know more details. In brief:
I’ll always give your dog his/her space.
I will not interact with your dog until I see that he/she has accepted me simply being there with you.
If your dog seems to accept me I will sit down and let him/her approach me on their own.
If they want to sniff me that’s ok. Remember that sniffing is simply curiosity and not an invitation to pet, so I will handle this on the dog’s terms!
If I feel that your dog seems happy with me being around I will offer a treat to “make friends”. You’d be surprised how many dogs actually want that treat after I’ve given them the time and space to get accustomed to my presence!
Using a longer lens allows me to be at least 20 feet away from your dog throughout the session, so if your dog does not feel comfortable around me, I will never be too close.
What about dogs that are reactive to other dogs? By choosing a quiet time of day and a less popular location we can reduce the possibility of having other dogs walk by. However I always keep my eyes well tuned into what is going on around us and if another dog approaches we will simply walk away from that dog, or distract your dog with treats, toys or by behaving crazy. This will depend on what works for your dog.
A professional dog photographer should also be proficient at removing leashes from your session photos during the editing process. This means that while your dog can remain completely safe on leash and just a few feet from you at all times, you will still receive beautiful photos where you would never know that your dog was on a leash.
So if you are thinking of having a dog photography session in the Greater Toronto area with your shy or reactive dog, do not hesitate to contact me. We will set up a complimentary consultation to discuss your dog and all your concerns. Then if it feels right for you we can book you in for your session. I know you will always appreciate having great photos of you and your dog!
This little puppy was pretty reactive to everything! But we got some great shots. Here is a before and after example.
