Need ideas

[sasmeow]

I am taking Izzy and Gus to the mall tomorrow to get their picture with me. I want to make our Christmas card this year with one of the pictures. They have been to this place before, a few years ago. It wasn't hard to get them to pose because I could stand there and talk to them to get them to look. I hope they will look when I am sitting with them! Also, last time, Gus was afraid of the camera flash, not the light, but the noise it would make. He tried to take off a few times, LOL. The don't have rooms at this place, its all open. He would only run out into the mall, but I still want him to do that. I guess if he is super scared, I will just leave. Anyway, I need some ideas of things I can take with us to make it a good experience for them both, and me too! I was going to take treats. Should I take any toys? I think they might just ignore them because they will be too excited if lots of people are around. I was going to take some Christmas toys to maybe have in the pics with us. Should I do this? Also, I don't want them to wear anything on their heads, so I was going to just have them wear their Christmas/winter collars. I wanted to find Gus a red bow tie, hehe, but coudln't find one anywhere, and couldn't find anything cute for Izzy. I was going to wear a green shirt and jeans. I just want it pretty simple. I saw some cute scarfs at Walgreens, maybe I will go back and get those, and have them wear one. I went to several stores today and couldn't find anything cute for them to wear on their neck. Even the pet stores had very little christmas attire. So, anyone have any ideas or think I should take any props? I think they might have stuff there, but I am sure I can bring stuff too. I have some of their toys that are stuffed dogs with Christmas hats on. Any suggestions??? I am going tomorrow night! Of course I will post the pictures!

 

[GDOGS1]

Sorry i don't have any idea's for you but whatever you choose i am quite sure you all will look fantastic.can hardly wait to see the pic's

 

[sriley]

I would definitely take treats, that way you can reward and distract your dog as soon as the flash goes off. He will associate the flash with something positive. I would also take at least one squeaky toy ... it may not come in too handy for you, but the photographer can squeak the toy in order to the the dogs' attention before taking the photos. What about a few plastic Christmas tree bulbs as props? I'm not sure if the dogs would leave them be, but they might look nice positioned around you all during your photo shoot. If the photographer has a Christmas themed background, perhaps that's all you would really need.

Good luck and, yes, please post the pictures when you can. Looking forward to seeing them!

 

[Cami]

I'd take treats and a squeaky toy. Something new to be sure to get their attention. Sometimes if they have heard the sound before and there are other things going on they might not even hear it!
If the photographer is allowing pics of animals then it is safe to assume they might also have some sort of noise maker. I know I have seen them use a kazoo or similar. Most dogs don't hear those too often and it usually works great!
I'd almost nix having them wear anything on them that is new. Might be too much of a distraction.

 

[Gatorblu]

This time of year the mall is usually crowded, so if you can, take someone with you. That way if Gus does try to make a break for it someone else is there to keep him in the store. A freaked out dog in a crowded mall just isn't a good combo. I would also take their favorite smelly treat. I can't wait to see the pics!

 

[RoxiesEcho]

Are there any things around your house that aren't toys but make a sound that Izzy & Gus react to? Maybe they come running when they hear a bag of food open? That might get their attention. I would also try to use treats that they don't normally get but love the smell of. Maybe some hot dog pieces - those always smell good. Bella never likes to put her ears up when we take her some where for her pictures. So when she gets in front of the camera we ask her if she wants to go see Sophie (my mom's dog) and that usually gets her to perk them up and pay attention.

 

[MoxieB]

Sorry, I don't really have any ideas for you. We tried to take some photos at home. We wanted to get a picture to put on christmas cards and thought that we could pose Moxie. I Found a a small santa hat and scarf with bells to match at Dollarama. Tried to pose her with the scarf around her neck and the hat in her mouth. .. 20 min later and about 50 pictures taken, we found one we could use. She kept wanting to lie on the ground and chew on it. Putting it in her mouth and then telling her to "drop it" when she went to the ground was obviously confusing her. Don't know what we would do at the mall! Good luck!
If I can figure out how to upload a picture I'll show you what we ended up with.

 

[basaks]

Krose can lose his concentration very easily in crowded places. If yours are like him, I wouldn'y bring any toys with me. But then again, Krose can never pose:D I usually take his pictures and then photoshop whatever I want for a tie or a hat or anything in the background

 

[dodgeandmar]

Mine aren't scared of the flash. They're scared of Santa's beard. Haha! I always make Santa show them that there is a face underneath all that beard.