Missy, my mom's dog

Good dog portrait shots require you to get down to their level sometimes.  So, I laid on my stomach and fired away with Missy. 

I rarely center my subject. Placing your subject dead center can make a photo become static and boring. Throwing your subject off center adds interest.

One key to great pet photos is sharp eyes. Even if the other parts of the photo are blurred, everybody gravitates to eyes.