"I sneak photos of our people’s dogs because it’s my awkward way to interrupt their relationship with their owner. I like seeing them outside of the context of their role as companions," the founder of the DPP Instagram account said that the photos they share document a very different, unusual perspective about canines. A perspective that some people might not have seen (or even considered) before.
The mastermind behind the page explained to Bored Panda that they've "always taken" these types of "poorly framed" photos. They then decided to create the account "when people were making formal dog pages for their pets."
They told us that they've "followed around a lot of dogs and scramble with my phone if I see something." What's more, they're over the moon about the fact that their Instagram project has caught the eye of people around the globe.
"The best part of this has been that people really connect with the idea of sneaking pictures of dogs and I get people who send me shots from all over the world," they told Bored Panda. "People love an awkward dog, trying not to get noticed and maybe a little vulnerable."
As for the future of 'Dogs Poorly Photographed,' the founder hopes to feature even more dogs from more place around the world. They're also thinking about making some mousepads.
The ‘Dogs Poorly Photographed’ Instagram project currently has just shy of 5.5k followers. We see great things for DPP in the future because the pics are a combination of originality and creativity that's bound to appeal to even more people. The photos are too good to stay in a small niche, they need to be seen by more people.
The photos are raw, they’re real, they’re full of soul! We’ve never seen some of these expressions on a dog, ever. Those eyes, those snouts, and mouths tell us a story that we didn’t expect.
Approaching a strange dog on the street isn’t as straightforward as many would like it to be. Ideally, you’d rush in and start cuddling the cute pupperino and giving it as much as love as it wants. However, we don’t live in a perfect world. And in this world, we have to be patient, cautious, and polite. So before you go petting and feeding every four-legged wonder you come across, it’s vital that you ask for the owner’s permission to get closer.
“Firstly, you should always ask the owner’s permission before approaching a dog and avoid the snacks—dogs really don’t need human food, despite what those eyes seem to tell us!" PDSA Vet Claire Roberts told Bored Panda recently.
"Next, look at the dog’s body language, if they have a high, wagging tail, floppy ears, and look relaxed then you can start to approach them. Try not to look straight into their eyes, as this can seem aggressive to a dog, and let them come to you for a sniff before touching them," the vet said.
"If they have a low or tucked under tail, their ears are pinned back or their posture is tense then it is likely they are feeling uncomfortable and should not be approached. It is best to avoid rubbing the tummy of a dog you don’t know, as sometimes dogs showing their belly can be a sign that they are feeling anxious,” Claire explained.
The PDSA vet shared with Bored Panda what owners can do to make their bestest boys and girls friendly to other people.
"It is best to start gradually introducing your dog to strangers when they are a puppy. Between 4 and 12 weeks of age is the ‘socialization period’ where your puppy’s brain is learning lots of new things, including how to cope with unfamiliar people," Claire told us.
