Another idea is to just take pictures of the treats

My dog's name is Taz so that is the reason for the Big T in treats.

Although could be T for treats as well

Hi~
My two cents...

Sliced hot dogs, dime thin , quartered, sprinkled with garlic salt/powder, nuked until crisp(not greasy), and the smallness of the treat, always has the dog wanting more, and therefore, "attentive". The garlic has a strong aroma, so they are looking for it!

Noises? An air duster. Usually have one in my camera bag anyway, so, one day, just a quick burst, worked in a pinch, and most photogs carry them?

For me, the balance is between getting their attention and controlling the drooling. So I tend to stick with the milkbones.

But you use whatever works. Sometimes it's hotdogs; sometimes it's string cheese; sometimes it's a bit of sliced turkey. I like to stick with toys and noise-makers whenever possible again to keep the mouths as dry as I can. Once you start a Rottie drooling, you might as well bring out the towels .

My advice is always to try stuff and see what works. You'll eventually find the right mix for you and the animals you shoot.

Jim

I have had clients EXPRESSLY say no treats. That the dogs go so wild for them that they will be ruined for the session. I had also had clients who are very very particular on what kind of food they can have.

So, I just stick with distress calls, squeakers and my uber annoying voice

We DO use treats - though I always ask the owners if they mind out giving them out. Typically, I also ask if they have their own treat to give out. For treats, we are using Dried Chicken Strips or Beef Jerky. Both of which are of the highest quality - no junk in them, so usually owners don't mind at all.

James

Sometimes, the best way to illustrate a point is with images so let me demonstrate the upside and downside of using treats as bait. Yesterday, my best model and I were out scouting locations for portraits and I was using milkbones because they are the easiest to carry and toss. Here's a shot of Rowdy when he first saw the treat.



Please note that long strand of drool hanging from his tongue. Yes it can be removed in PS but it's a pain.

And, later in the shoot, here's what you can get when you toss the milkbone exactly where you want the dog to look.



In this case, it was over my right shoulder. Treats work well but you have to work around the inevitable drips, mouth wipes, etc.

BTW, technical info on the images: 85mm F1.8 @ F4.0, 1/400 shot RAW no sharpening applied.

Jim