(Spoiler: Absolutely not.)
You’ve seen the photos—dogs doing tricks, staying sitting on the couch, sitting pretty like pros. And yes, I’ve photographed dogs who know how to spin, high five, or even do a “middle” pose between their human’s legs. It’s always fun when we can show off a trick or two!
But here’s the truth: your dog doesn’t need to be perfectly trained (or even mildly trained) to get beautiful, personality-filled photos.
The only cue I really rely on is “sit.” And even then? I have treats, toys, sounds, and lots of tricks up my sleeve to get great shots, even if your dog has other plans.
In fact, I’ve worked with:
Wiggly puppies who couldn’t sit still for more than a second
Dogs like greyhounds who absolutely CAN’T sit
Senior dogs who just wanted to lie down and chill
Rescue dogs still learning to trust the world
Wild goofballs who wanted to zoom and sniff and bounce
And guess what? Every single one of them ended up with a gallery of gorgeous images that truly captured who they are.
So don’t stress if your pup isn’t “perfect.” Around here, I let your dog guide me and work with them to show their real personality and real love & connection with their family.