Mastering the Art of Dog Handling: A Photographer’s Perspective
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a Dog Handling Master Class hosted by three incredible local dog trainers: Courtney Ducey of Ducey’s Dogs, Christine McGarry of Magnus K9, and Cherisse Feddock of The Zen Dog Den. The sold-out event drew a crowd of dedicated pet professionals, including dog sitters, walkers, and groomers, all eager to deepen their understanding of canine behavior. Also in attendance were dog owners interested in better understanding their furry best friends, some of whom exhibited challenging behaviors.
The Subtle Language of Dogs
One of the biggest takeaways from the seminar was just how subtle a dog's communication can be. We often think of the obvious signs—growling, barking, a tucked tail or cowering—but this class broke down the much more subtle nuances of canine body language. A wagging but stiff tail, lip licking, posture or yawning can indicate stress or unease. As a dog photographer, recognizing these signals is crucial. A truly great pet portrait captures not just a pretty pose, but a comfortable, happy dog. Knowing when to take a step back, give a pup a break, or adjust my approach ensures I can create an environment where dogs feel safe and confident, leading to the best possible images.
Real-World Demonstrations: Bagel and Onyx
After learning about the cues to watch for, the trainers brought out their personal dogs to help us see these signals in real time. Bagel, a Jack Russell Cattle Dog mix owned by Courtney of Ducey’s Dogs, is naturally friendly and excitable. Onyx, a German Shorthaired Pointer, owned by Christine of Magnus K9, demonstrated a different side of canine communication. While he was accepting of most dog behaviors, he does not appreciate a dog rushing into his space. By observing their body language we looked for the signs of acceptance, excitement, hesitation, and discomfort.
Applying This Knowledge to Photography
During a session, I’m constantly reading a dog’s body language. If a dog starts avoiding eye contact or shifting away, that’s my cue to slow down, adjust my positioning, or even offer a moment of play or reassurance. The goal is to capture the essence of a dog’s personality—whether it’s playful, regal, or goofy—but that can only happen if the dog is relaxed and comfortable in their environment. The insights from this seminar have given me even more tools to ensure every session is a positive experience for both the dogs and their humans.
The Foster Connection
As a foster for MidAtlantic Jack Rescue, this seminar provided some great takeaways. Bringing a new foster dog into my home and introducing them to my dogs can be a delicate process, and understanding body language is critical. The trainers emphasized best practices such as: SLOW introductions, allowing space, using parallel walks, and avoiding direct face-to-face greetings at first. Learning to read stress signals early can prevent conflicts and set up a positive foundation for a foster dog’s transition into a new environment.
A Community of Support
One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was being surrounded by a community of pet professionals who are all passionate about dogs. Whether it’s owners, trainers, sitters, groomers, or walkers, we’re all working toward the same goal—helping dogs live their best lives. The willingness to share knowledge, collaborate, and support each other is what makes our local pet industry so special.
Learning is a lifelong journey, and every opportunity to gain new skills or perspectives helps me grow as both a photographer and a dog advocate. The more we invest in understanding and improving our craft, the better we can serve the dogs and people who trust us with their stories.
A huge thank you to Ducey’s Dogs, Magnus K9, and The Zen Dog Den for an eye-opening and incredibly valuable experience.
Final Note - We're putting the final touches on an exciting new offering for 2025—photo packages designed specifically for pet industry professionals! Elevate your brand with storytelling images that help your clients connect with you. Drop us an email if you'd like to be notified when these packages become available.
Interested in supporting our wonderful small business owners? CLICK HERE to see our ever-evolving list of local pet businesses. If you would like to be listed please email valerie@roughcoatphotography.com.
2 Comments
Apr 2, 2025, 1:25:30 PM
Valerie Buller - Thanks for your interest, I am very excited about them! I hope to get them wrapped up and finalized this week.
Apr 1, 2025, 9:23:15 PM
Shawn Housman - Interested in packages! Thank you