When your dog is groomed to perfection, especially if and when you have done all the hard work of grooming him yourself, you will most likely look forward to posting and sharing your dog’s new look via a beautiful photograph. Here are a few tricks of  taking that picture, that will help you bring your dog’s personality to the surface.

Look for a sound-making device that your dog is not already familiar with. A duck caller is a loud but effective little prop. This way, you will capture his attention more easily and his alert and inquisitive expression will make for a better photograph. Treats are always a good incentive, but be aware their Pavlovian effect can trigger excessive salivation and tongue action.

Remember that the element of surprise is key to taking a good photo, and because most dogs have short attention spans, it is important to have everything ready and in place before bringing the dog to the set. When taking pictures of my dog, I use a plush dog to plan the shot I like.

Keeping Hair in Place

If you are going for the wild look you probably don’t need many extra products, but if you want to capture your dog in a more polished look, a few little tricks will help you keep all those hairs in place. A simple but effective method is to mist your dog lightly with a coat of water. The water will keep the hair in place for a couple of minutes.

The use of hairspray is always a safe bet, but you must be careful and remember that a lot of hairspray left on the coat could make it brittle and prone to breakage. Choose a light hairspray to avoid this problem. A light coat of leave-in conditioner is the perfect product for dogs with a drop coat.

Picture Perfect

A striking fashion statement is no longer limited to long-haired dogs with dramatic haircuts. Fashion in the pet world can be for short-haired dogs as well.

Accessories and colors, when applied in the right amount and following safety guidelines, can turn a simple summer shave-down clip into an edgy fashion statement.

The use of temporary stencil tattoos, temporary nontoxic color applications, or some add-on accessories are great ways to give you and your dog the red-carpet attention that any star gets at a movie premiere.

Although dogs may not fully understand the reasons they attract so much interest, they sure enjoy the affection and the attention of people smiling and taking pictures. That alone is reason enough for me to go ahead and glitter up a particular style and turn it into a superstar fashion statement.

Older dogs usually require simpler and more practical haircuts. These types of haircuts, although useful and often necessary, might not bring them much attention on the streets, which could be a benefit for some but not for all.

Dogs will notice the change in peoples’ reactions to them, so sometimes a simple detail like a colored tail or a temporary tattoo can generate a little extra attention and be a therapeutic experience for dogs that like to be the center of it all.

Using Dog-Safe Cosmetic Products

The pet industry offers a wide variety of dog-safe products. Often children’s products are nontoxic and safe enough to use on pets, but opting for the product specifically designed for pets is often the best way to go. Read all the labels carefully and remember to keep an eye out for any allergic reactions.

Nontoxic products are only safe when used in the amount indicated. Glitter, chalk, or any other products used to add a touch of color to your dog’s hair should be applied in quantities small enough that if the dog licks any part of them, they won’t be toxic. The same rule applies to kids and their craft project supplies.

If your dog decides to ingest a full container of glitter that was left around, the nontoxic rule won’t apply. As with everything, common sense has to be used when handling any product around your dog.

Hair mousse and hair spray are a great help when it comes to finishing up a grooming job, but it is important to remember that these products (hair sprays, mousse, chalk, etc.) when applied in large quantities, like on a poodle getting ready for competition, need to be rinsed out after the job is done.

Yes, all those beautiful dogs you see trotting around the show ring get a bath as soon as they get home to keep the dog safe and prevent any damage to the hair.

Styling products used in small quantities won’t harm the hair when left on and will help to keep the hair in place. Also, the pet industry offers a wide variety of styling products that won’t harm the coat when left on.

There are also a wide variety of dog-safe cosmetic products on the market you can use. Color, for example, can be used both as an aesthetic statement or to disguise hair and skin discolorations.

Remember to opt for dog-friendly coloring products whenever possible. Pet-specific chalk can also be used to even out coat and skin discoloration.