A dogs-from-underneath photo shoot is something very special. So that your dog feels comfortable, no major training is needed - just a few simple exercises that you can easily integrate into your everyday life.
If you want to prepare your dog for a dogs-from-underneath photo shoot, it is much easier than many think. At PETSPECTIVE, special dog photos are created from an unusual perspective: from underneath through a glass plate. This is exactly what makes the pictures so special - and that is exactly why it helps your dog if he has been able to get to know a few similar situations beforehand.
Why preparation makes things so much more relaxed
Every dog reacts differently to new situations. Some are immediately curious, others need a moment. With a little preparation, you help your dog to accept new surfaces, small heights and unfamiliar situations more calmly. This ensures significantly more peace, trust and ease later during the shoot.
The most important thing of all: Treats always under the dog
The best exercise for preparation is a simple treat search game. The important thing here is: The treats are not just put anywhere, but always under the dog.
Start directly in front of his paws and then place or throw the treats step by step further under his chest or belly. This is how your dog learns to look down in a relaxed manner and to associate this perspective with something positive.
This is how you can practice the search game:
- ✓ Place treat directly in front of the paws
- ✓ Then slowly push or throw further under the dog
- ✓ Let your dog search calmly
- ✓ No pressure, but lots of praise
- ✓ Just 5 minutes a day is completely sufficient
Step by step: practicing different surfaces
When the search game works well at home, you can slowly add other surfaces. This is how your dog learns that new surfaces are nothing bad either.
- Tiles, laminate or parquet
- Shower tray or smooth park bench
- Sturdy window sill
- Low pedestals or grooming tables
Important: increase slowly, stay positive and never overwhelm the dog.
A little warning with a wink 😉
Please do not practice the whole thing on the kitchen table. Otherwise your dog will eventually lie there completely naturally and look at you as if it had always been that way.
Positively associate picking up
Many dogs associate being picked up with rather unpleasant moments. Therefore, it is worth practicing this in a friendly way beforehand. Pick up your dog briefly in calm situations, put him back down and associate the whole thing with praise or a small treat.
This takes the fear out of being picked up and makes it much easier for your dog to classify.
What to do if my dog gets excited quickly?
Then the rule is: take a step back, simplify exercises and rather train briefly than too much. The goal is not perfection, but a good feeling. Especially excited or sensitive dogs benefit from having a familiar small task to focus on.
How does the shoot work later?
The shoot itself is short, relaxed and dog-friendly. If your dog already knows the search game and new surfaces a little, this is a huge advantage. Much is then no longer completely new - and this exactly makes the whole situation often significantly more relaxed.
Conclusion
If you want to prepare your dog for a dogs-from-underneath photo shoot, you don't need any complicated training. A simple treat search game, some getting used to new surfaces and a positive feeling when picking up are often enough for both of you to start the shoot much more relaxed.
And exactly from this, these special pictures are created in the end: from trust, curiosity and a portion of fun.
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Have fun practicing!
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