Catfishing no more: Here's what you need to know about dogfishing, a new trend in the online dating scene
Picture this: You're on a dating app looking for prospects, and after a slew of guys with photos at the club, you find a man with a dog in his profile picture. Would you swipe right?
Apparently, some people on dating apps are using images with pooches to attract more possible matches in a tactic called "dogfishing."
A dogfisher's profile photo often shows them posing lovingly with an adorable pup, which makes them look more "wholesome" and appealing. But the dog doesn't just come up in photos—they're also brought up in conversations to win the heart of a potential date.
What makes it deceptive is the fact that the fur baby isn't theirs. This also explains why it's rooted in the catfishing concept.
Why dogfishing works
Psychiatrist Kathyrn Tan told PhilSTAR L!fe that potential partners "infer having a dog means being loving, responsible, caring, and patient," which makes them seem more attractive.
Life and relationship coach Alicia Serrano explained that this works because dogs are well-loved by people.
"This influences the kind of traits and needs that someone would look for in a partner, whereby the ideal partner has to like animals, dogs especially, or be open to caring for a dog, if they are not already a dog parent themselves," she said.
This tactic has been a popular strategy in online dating as it's also a way of sharing a glimpse of your lifestyle, per Serrano. She added that cute furry buddies are also an effective conversation starter among strangers.
"Just ask any pet owner who brings their pets out to public places like parks and malls—people notice the dogs and would even ask for photos or to give the dog a friendly pet," she said. "For many animal lovers, seeing just about any animal would pique interest and often inspire a desire to interact with the animal or learn more about it."
When things get complicated
While being a dog lover is generally seen as a green flag in dating, Serrano pointed out that things can get complicated when someone only pretends to like dogs to appeal to a "target" partner who does.
"It's wanting to be seen as a green flag without having the experience or reality that backs it up," she said in an interview with L!fe.
Psychologist and dating coach Mezhal Ulao identified false expectations and trust issues as possible consequences of this dating tactic.
"When they find out, it can feel disappointing," he said, adding that it worsens the "already tricky trust gap in dating apps."
According to Ulao, this can also prevent users from building genuine relationships. "If someone leads with a 'borrowed' dog, it may distract from who they really are and prevent authentic connections from forming."
It may "not lead to building something more in the long run," added Tan.
How to avoid being dogfished
To avoid being dogfished, Tan suggested paying close attention to a person's photos and stories.
"Observe the consistency of the person you are getting to know better. You can be observant with photos, stories, how they interact with other dogs, or even backtracking to older posts. Sounds investigative, but if you suspect they're not upfront with everything, better find out as early as possible," she said.
Serrano echoed this, stressing the importance of not relying solely on someone's dating profile.
"Get to know the person more and see if what they show on their profile and what they say align. See if the details and context of the dog photos make sense to you, and if the story behind the photo is something that sits well," she explained.
Per Serrano, knowing what you're looking for in a date could also help. "If you do, you'd have a clearer idea of what else to talk about and vet aside from being a dog parent. This way, you can screen among the folks who do have dog photos, and you can avoid getting baited just from the presence of a dog."
While it can be exciting and fun, the dating world can be just as stressful and painful if you encounter the wrong person. Tan emphasized that it's best to keep your authentic self no matter what.
"Embrace your uniqueness and your qualities. For quality relationships, you'd probably want someone who will appreciate you for who you really are and vice versa. The best relationships are built with trust—and that trust starts with being comfortable in your own skin," she noted.
