dog on top of present with mad cat in front of christmas tree

The holiday season is coming, and you may want to get some family pictures taken for the annual Christmas card, or maybe some with just your dog. But capturing that perfect pose might be harder than you think. Here are some training tips to help get that frame-worthy shot with your furry friend.

Teach the Pose

Train and teach your pose so your dog can comply on cue. You may want to do a sit, down, or a stand. Fun tricks like a sit-pretty and a bow are cute, too! Check out @CanineAntics on Instagram for some great ideas! 

Teach the Stay

Now that your pup knows the pose, it’s time to build it up so they can HOLD the pose, especially if there’s a Christmas costume involved. Here are some keywords to use:

  • Cue: the command and hand signal ex: “Sit” or “Down” and “Stay” 
  • Marker: usually done with a clicker but you can also use a marker word. My marker word is “YES”. When I say this word, I am marking the moment my dog earned her reward. It’s sometimes called a bridge because it bridges the time gap between the behavior and the delivery of the reward. 
  • Release: the command you use to release your dog from the pose. I use “Free” some other examples are “Ok”, “Go”, and “Done”. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

We’ll use sit for the example, but the steps are the same for any pose you choose:

  1. Ask your dog to sit. When she does it, mark with your marker word and treat.  
  2. As soon as you release the treat, ask her to stay. Stand up and count to 2. If she stays, mark and treat. If you can’t count to 2, count to 1.  
  3. Repeat a few times. There is no perfect number of reps, and play around with counting higher for a longer duration.
  4. After a few reps, release with your release cue. **If your dog gets up before you release, get her back into the sit but do not treat for getting back into the sit. Treats should come for the beginning of the sit and any success you have.
  5. Slowly build up duration, distraction and distance.  

Practice the Stay for the Holiday Photo Shoot

  • If you know where the photoshoot will be, try to practice in the area. 
  • If you have holiday props, have them around during practice (especially anything your pet may have to wear—what doggo doesn’t look cute in a Santa hat?).
  • Practice walking about 5-7 feet away and having your pup hold their pose while you squat down in front of them the same way the photographer might during the real photo session.
  • Practice having your dog stay while you turn and pivot to your dog’s side so you face the same direction. 
  • Practice the stay while making fun noises. Photographers may use an array of sounds to get your dog to perk up and make a cute face but this can sometimes get them excited and cause them to get up. 

Keep your training sessions short and fun. End on a success and have a small play session. And don’t forget to tag us in your holiday photos!! 

Check Out Our Trainer Tip Tuesday Video for Even More Tips on Getting Great Photos of Your Dog

dog with paws on christmas present next to cat