A dog does not need to sit, stay or look into the camera to be photographed well.
That matters, because once photography becomes a sequence of commands, you mainly start seeing how well the dog performs. I would rather see who is actually in front of me.
First, do nothing for a moment
With a dog portrait I often begin by watching. How does the dog move? Where does it feel safe? Is it curious, cautious, energetic or very calm?
Some dogs are comfortable straight away. Others need time. That is not a problem. The dog’s pace largely determines how we work.
Character is more interesting than obedience
An uneven sit, an unexpected look or a posture you see at home every day can say much more than a perfect pose.
I direct when it helps, but I do not try to force a dog into an image that does not suit it.
The bond can be visible too
When a person and dog are photographed together, posing matters even less. The way a hand rests, how a dog looks at its person or where it chooses to lie down often says enough.
A good dog portrait does not need to prove anything. It should mainly feel recognisable.