[FiveAus]

Yesterday we did our annual Christmas dogs photoshoot. I set up the "studio" in the kitchen, using the various appliances to hold the backdrop in place. The gas rings on the stove were used to tether the lights and tinsel, then I got the dogs.
One decided she knew what to do and positioned herself in place, and as soon as I popped a hat on her head, she absconded.
One thought spinning in circles of excitement was gonna get him a treat faster.
One took one look at the setting and vanished out the back door.
One went and hid. And one hung around tripping me up just in case I had something for her to eat.

But all were persuaded to pose, and they all ended up having fun, with the help of some dog chocolates.

So here are the Aussie Shepherd Christmas elves of 2012, with very best wishes from Mainstreet kennels.

Dusty is the elf who represents all the children who aren't getting what they want for Christmas. See that look of displeasure......



Isaak is the elf for the kids who are planning a dawn raid on the pressies. Notice that cheeky but completely innocent grin.......



Shae is the elf for the adults who are just over it. Thank goodness it only comes once a year, once a decade would be plenty........



Ripley is the elf of Christmas cheer. His big happy smile represents all that is fun about Christmas.......



And Jessica wishes all the parents, kids and pets a happy and safe festive season.......

[Jacoby28]

You either have some very well behaved puppies or some major patients .

Very cute doggies.
Wish my two dogs would keep still long enough to get a picture, let alone wear reindeer ears for me.

[~Karla~]

Awwww.

You certainly nailed the descriptions too! They have such animated faces!

[Guest_Maybelle_*]

Gorgeous

[FiveAus]

Hahaha, both patience and good dogs. But also lots of experience and plenty of tricks up my sleeve. I have a friend with a 10 week old German Shorthaired Pointer puppy. She wanted pics of him but said there was no way I'd get him to pose. I did, I had him sitting on a chair for me and I got some wonderful photos.

Don't underestimate your dogs willingness to please you. If you show them what to do (ie, keep putting them back in place and tell them to stay there), they eventually get the idea. Lots of praise, lots of treats, and if you're a beginner, an extra person helps.
But I did my guys on my own yesterday. The ones who wouldn't keep hats on heads got tinsel around their necks. I had the background set up with more tinsel and lights so that even if I couldn't put anything on the dog, the photos would still look festive and Christmassy.

[FiveAus]

Awwww.

You certainly nailed the descriptions too! They have such animated faces!

Dusty was the first model and when she realised I had doggy chocolates, she tried to be in EVERY photo. In fact, most of the pics were taken with her between me and the subject because she thought if she got in front of the camera, she'd get a treat. But no way was she gonna look like she was enjoying it! LOL!

[~kitteh.hoardere...]

That is awesome! Next year I might try to get Christmas pics of the dogs... or if I am brave this weekend

[dogged]

Jessica is still my favourite, OP!

DS was disappointed that they're not Bernese Mountain Dogs but still says that they are "oh so cute".

[FiveAus]

Jessica is still my favourite, OP!

DS was disappointed that they're not Bernese Mountain Dogs but still says that they are "oh so cute".

My husband loves Bernese Mountain dogs....he'd seen plenty of photos of them, then one day I dragged him across a dog show to meet one. And he never realised they were quite THAT big! LOL!

I love them too, but they don't live long enough and I'm not about to hand over my heart on an 8 or 9 year contract.

Isaak often gets mistaken for one, but I think the people who ask if he's a BMD have never actually seen one in the flesh. Isaak is about 21 inches at the shoulder and weighs around 22 kgs. He is considerably smaller and lighter.

[eilca]

I have decided that I would like you to set up a blog and fill it daily with your photos of your dogs. Simply beautiful and make me smile each time. I will show my girls tomorrow when they are awake.