Planning a Surprise Proposal with Your Reactive Dog

There’s something about a mountain at sunrise. The stillness. The quiet. That feeling that something really special is about to happen.

Jessica reached out to me with a big idea and a short timeline. She wanted to propose to her partner with their dog Tyson by their side. The twist? We had just a few days over a week to plan it. And Tyson’s a reactive pup, both with other dogs and people.

We hopped on a call right away. Talked through everything—not just the moment itself, but how we could make the entire experience feel good for Tyson, too. With reactive dogs, the details matter. Timing. Location. Energy.

We decided on a quiet alpine lake location. Sunrise. Fewer people. Soft light. Space to breathe. Perfect for Tyson and for a romantic proposal.

Originally, Jessica suggested I pretend to leave at the end of the photo session and then secretly take photos of the proposal from a hidden spot. But I didn’t think that was going to be our best option. A reactive dog is the kind of dog who’d definitely notice if someone was hiding nearby, and that might've made him anxious, and possibly tipped off her partner that something was up and/or distract from the moment.

No, we needed a plan that made the moment special but also ensured Tyson was calm and comfortable, too.

So instead, I came up with a plan: we’d do the session as usual, save the family photos for the end, and work in some individual portraits with each of them and Tyson. Then I’d say, "Hey, I actually have one more family photo idea," and call Jessica back over (now that she’d had a chance to grab the ring box while her partner was distracted during her turn taking photos with Tyson). That would be the moment.

And it worked perfectly.

Jessica got down on one knee.

I started crying.

And Tyson laid there calmly, right between them, part of the moment and forever a part of the memory.

It was so emotional. So sweet. And just right.

Not in spite of Tyson’s needs. But because we made sure his needs were respected.

How to Plan a Surprise Proposal Photo Session with a Reactive Dog

Planning a proposal that includes your dog, especially one with specific needs, takes a little extra thought, but it’s 100% worth it to include your dog in such a special moment in your lives.

Here are some of the biggest things to keep in mind:

1. Pick a quiet location
   Crowds and noise can stress dogs out, especially reactive ones. Find a spot that’s calm and out of the way. Early mornings, like sunrise, are usually best. Fewer people, beautiful light, more peace.

2. Hire a pet photographer who gets behavior
   Reactive dogs need someone who understands their signals, knows how to take things slow, and can adjust the session on the fly. It makes a huge difference.

3. Let your dog warm up
   Don’t jump straight into posing or high-energy moments. Give them time to sniff, settle, and get comfortable. Build trust first, then go for the magic.

4. Skip the secret-hiding-in-the-bushes plan
   Most dogs will definitely know someone’s lurking nearby. Instead of trying to surprise both your partner and your dog, work with your photographer to plan something smooth and natural that still feels like a surprise.

5. Keep it short, sweet, and safe
   Your dog doesn’t need to be perfect. They just need to feel safe and supported. Plan something that reflects your relationship—no pressure, no stress, just love.

Every proposal is meaningful. But when it includes your dog, it becomes something deeper.

Tyson wasn’t calm because he was a "perfect" dog. He was calm because his people made space for him to be comfortable. They included him, just as he is. That’s what made it so powerful.

So if you're planning a proposal and you want your dog to be part of it, whether they’re reactive or just your entire world, I’d be so honored to help you make that memory.

Let’s plan something beautiful. Together.