Dog-First Content

Your dog can’t sign up for fame, so it’s up to you to make sure they enjoy every moment on camera. A happy model has a loose, wiggly body, soft eyes and a relaxed mouth. If your dog walks away, hides or stops taking treats, the shoot is over. Some dogs love the spotlight; others would rather not, and that’s completely fine.

Subtle stress signals are easy to miss and, sadly, often appear in “funny” viral clips. Look out for lip licking, yawning, showing the whites of the eyes, ears pinned back, a tucked tail, freezing, turning the head away or panting when it isn’t warm. If you see these, stop, give your dog space and don’t post footage of them looking worried.

Never stage something risky for views: no balancing on high or unstable surfaces, no tight or heavy costumes, no tempting dangerous foods, no setting up scares or pranks, and no posing with other animals who aren’t comfortable together. Costumes, if used at all, should be brief, loose and never cover eyes, ears or mouth. If a stunt could injure or frighten your dog, it isn’t content.

Sadly, dog theft happens, and posts can reveal more than you think. Avoid showing your house number, street name, car registration, your dog’s name tag or regular walk routes. Post walk photos after you’ve left the location rather than live. Turn off location tagging, and think twice before sharing details like your dog’s value, breed rarity or when you’re away from home.