5 Tips For Taking Good Dog Photos

If you have a dog then you probably have some photos of your favorite pooch.  You may also know how difficult it can be to get a good picture of your dog.  As soon as you haul out the camera it seems like some dogs start turning their backsides to you. Other dogs start walking toward the camera to investigate which means all of your pictures are close-ups of their noses.  And some owners only seem to get pictures of their dogs sprinting through the background.  Don’t despair!  Here are some tips for getting good photos of your dog.

1.  Plan ahead.  In order to get some good pictures of your dog you need to do a little strategic planning.  That means letting your dog get used to the camera.  If you only bring out your camera a minute before you want to take a picture your dog is going to walk straight to the camera to investigate it.  Instead, take your camera out and let your dog get used to it.  Take the camera out often.  Wear it a while.  That way your dog will be used to it and will act naturally.  You should also consider some other factors before you take pictures.  Is your dog wound up and zooming around?  Then be in position for his action shots.  Is he being lazy and mellow?  Get in the best spots to take those shots.

2.  Take lots of pictures.  If you take just a few pictures of your dog you may get lucky and get a great picture but you’re much more likely to get good pictures if you set aside some time and take lots of photos.  You can catch your dog doing all kinds of cool things and his personality will really come out in the pictures.

3.  Consider the angle.  Some of the best dog pictures are usually taken at your dog’s level.  Many people take pictures standing up, looking down at their dogs but if you really want to get good pictures of your dog then get right down on the floor with him.

4.  Look at your surroundings.  You can take great pictures anywhere but it certainly helps to have good surroundings, free of clutter.  Simple surroundings can help focus attention on your dog.  A clean, sandy beach or green trees will make your dog look great.  Watch for things growing out of your dog’s head like telephone poles.  And try to keep some contrast in the background.  If you have a black dog stay away from black backgrounds; stay away from light backgrounds for light-colored dogs, and so on.

5.  Have fun.  Don’t be afraid to have fun with your dog.  Remember that you don’t have to make every photo look the same.  Mix them up a little!  Have some close-ups.  Do some body shots.  Take a head shot.  Use different angles.  And ask a friend to help.  Sometimes having a friend playing with your dog can help, especially if your friend has a squeaky toy.  Professional photographers often use squeaky toys to get a great facial expression from a dog.

Follow these tips and you should be able to get some great pictures of your dog.  It’s all for fun so go out and have a great time with your dog and your camera.

5 Tips for Driving with Your Dog

 Dogs are on the go with us these days.  Wherever we go, our dogs go with us, too.  Whether we’re traveling across the country or just going to the vet, dogs spend a lot of time in our vehicles.  Here are some tips for safe driving with your dog.

1.  Use a crate or harness for your dog when he’s traveling with you.  Whether you have a large dog or a small dog, it’s much safer for your dog to be in a crate or safely harnessed in your car.  Just as you are safer wearing a seatbelt when you ride in your car, your dog is safer when he is protected by a crate or harness. If you have an accident a dog in a crate will not be thrown through the window.  If the crate is thrown around the vehicle your dog will have more protection.  If the crate is thrown from the car, your dog won’t be loose on the road.  Pet harnesses also provide some degree of protection in case of an accident.

2.  Don’t let a small dog ride in your lap.  If your dog slides down he can interfere with your use of the gas pedal and brakes.  A dog in your lap can interfere with you when you’re steering. Driving with a dog in your lap is very dangerous.

3.  When you travel with your dog in your vehicle make sure that he is wearing a collar with up to date contact identification.  Your contact information should also include your vet’s address or someone who can take care of your dog in case of an accident.  If you are in an accident you want people to be able to identify your dog immediately.

If you are taken to the hospital your dog would be separated from you.  Anyone responding to the scene would need to be able to contact your dog’s ID information and speak to someone who could take care of your dog while you are being treated.  Most veterinarians can take care of a dog for a few days while an owner is laid up.  If you’re in the hospital longer than that other arrangements can be made, such as having a friend take your dog.  So, make sure that your dog’s ID and contact information is up to date.

4.  When you’re driving with your dog you should take along a water bowl and some water from home or bottled water.  You never know when your dog may get thirsty when you’re out together.  It’s good to have a water bowl for your dog that stays in the car at all times so it’s always there when you travel.

If you are going to be gone for more than just a few hours you should plan accordingly.  Take your dog’s food, feed dish, bedding, favorite toys and other indispensable items for overnight trips.

5.  Keep a copy of your dog’s vaccination records in your glove box.  Your dog should be wearing his rabies tag and other local tags on his collar when you travel.  It’s always possible that law enforcement or some other organization could ask to see proof that your dog is up-to-date on his shots.  Most states require that your dog be current on his vaccinations when entering their state.  This information is rarely asked for, but it can be requested if you are stopped by the police, for instance.

If you keep these tips in mind then driving with your dog you can have many safe and happy driving experiences on the road together.