Dating Apps Hit by New Deception - Dogfishing
It started as a cute dating-app flex, then turned into a full-on deception trend. People are noticing profiles where someone poses with an adorable dog, and the vibe is instant: warm, responsible, emotionally steady. But not every “pet owner” photo is actually theirs.
Now the story has a new twist, dogfishing. Instead of using a staged selfie, scammers are borrowing real dogs, snapping the perfect shot, and letting that furry accessory do the heavy lifting. The complicated part is that the tactic works too well, platforms report more engagement for animal pics, and suddenly everyone is comparing notes on what feels real and what feels like marketing.
For many women, that “cute dog equals great guy” photo has become a red flag, fast.
Borrowed dogs are becoming a quick trick to make dating profiles look more caring and appealing.
But the second definition – and the one most people are talking about – actually involves real dogs. Or at least, dogs that appear real on a dating profile. Many users have noticed a growing number of profiles featuring people posing with cute dogs that do not belong to them.
These borrowed pups are used as marketing props, designed to make their owner seem more caring, grounded, and emotionally stable than they may truly be. Since dog owners are often associated with qualities like responsibility, compassion, patience, and devotion, adding a furry companion to a profile has proven to be a powerful attention-grabber.
That first perfectly framed pup pic is exactly what makes the whole thing feel believable, until the rest of the gallery never mentions a dog at all.
Dating experts say the trick works. Platforms like OkCupid note that profiles mentioning dogs tend to spark more conversations than those mentioning cats. Tinder has also reported that photos featuring animals generally receive more engagement than regular selfies.
For years, this tactic helped many singles stand out - until people began realising how staged some of these pictures actually were.
Many women now treat the “cute dog” dating photo as a red flag.
Women, in particular, have become increasingly wary. Some now view the dog-in-the-profile pose as a cliché or even a manipulation tactic. One woman explained in an interview that she no longer falls for the “cute dog equals great guy” assumption and pays far more attention to inconsistencies in the rest of the profile.
Another user on Reddit summed it up bluntly: she now treats any suspicious dog photo as an instant left swipe. So how can someone tell if they’re being dogfished? Relationship coaches point to a few common clues.
If the dog appears only in one perfect photo, it’s likely not their dog.
The first sign is the “disappearing dog.” If someone’s main profile photo showcases them with an adorable canine, yet none of their other pictures hint at a pet-owning lifestyle, something may be off. No dog toys, no dog beds, no candid home photos - just a single, perfect shot.
Another clue appears during the conversation. Real pet owners rarely stay vague when talking about their animals. Ask an actual dog owner about their daily routine, favourite parks, or funny habits, and they usually light up with details. Someone who borrowed a dog for a photo, on the other hand, will struggle to offer anything specific.
A third warning sign lies in contradictions. If their profile claims they travel nonstop, party late into the night, or live in an unpredictable routine, the lifestyle may not align with the responsibility required to care for a pet. The mismatch can be revealing.
Finally, check their other social media profiles. People who genuinely adore their dog tend to mention them everywhere - Instagram stories, TikTok clips, weekend snapshots. If the dog appears only on a dating app and nowhere else, the answer is probably clear.
Then the “disappearing dog” pattern shows up, the profile goes from dog-in-the-main-photo to zero proof of any pet life anywhere else.
And for a totally different kind of chaos, see the Redditor trying to trade their dog for a $400 bike.
After that, women start treating the pose like a cliché, like the same trick keeps getting reused across different accounts.
And by the time someone spots the suspicious dog photo, it turns into an instant left swipe, because the borrowed-pup storyline just doesn’t add up.
Dogfishing highlights just how creative, and sometimes misleading, modern dating profiles can be. While the tricks may evolve, the core challenge stays the same: figuring out who is truly being sincere.
By taking a closer look at how someone presents themselves and noticing whether their story holds together, it becomes easier to separate real intentions from staged charm. Staying alert to these subtle signs helps protect your time, your trust, and your heart in a digital world where appearances can be carefully engineered.
Nobody wants to get played with a borrowed dog while pretending it’s real.
Want the opposite vibe, check out the new app that matches singles with their dogs’ personalities.
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