Dogfishing Is the New Dating Trend. But Is It a Big Deal?

Dogfishing is when online daters pose with adorable petstypically dogsthat arent theirs. The term was coined earlier this week in the , where the author writes: Dogfishing is not exactly a liethe person did take a photo with that dogbut to some daters, it feels like a veiled form of deception.

Now, I'm a sucker for a man with a dog. You give me a squishy-faced, slobbering machine and Ill start screaming at the top of my lungs. Lord knows I've swiped right just because I saw a cute dog in an online dater's photo.

Thats why I undeniably agree with the author about the effectiveness of dogfishing. It works. Dogs are awesome. Most of the time I like them better than humans.

But the moral duplicity with which she paints dogfishers is exaggerated. Perhaps my bar for honesty in a relationship is low, given the numerous times Ive been ghosted , lovebombed , and led on, but no one is lying when it comes to dogfishing. Meanwhile, there are many folks who ARE blatantly lying about their height, age, or exactly how current their photos are.

Dogfishers are simply peacocking (before you know it, all dating terms will be animal-themed). Its an accessory. No one would be angry at a woman for borrowing clothing from her friend for a profile pic. One could make the argument that if you swiped right for her fashion sense, youd be disappointed, but really, are accessories that big of a deal? If the dog is the only reason you swiped right, thats as much on you as it is on them. You should have also read their profile and found them cute, smart, funny, etc.

And as for dogfishing being "inauthentic," so to speak...most people aren't their full, authentic selves on the first date anyway. We emphasize our best qualities, and delay bringing up the less-flattering stuff. Similarly, putting a dog in your photo isn't deceptionit's just putting your best food forward.

Erika Ettin, an online dating coach, told the Washington Post, Its just odd when youre using someone elses dog online, and it seems like youre trying too hard."

If thats considered trying too hard, then I try way too hard. We all do. Everyone I know \and this isnt an exaggerationhas thought extensively about their profile picture , even traveling to certain locations to get the perfect shot.

The author even notes, But in the online dating world, when the search for a partner is boiled down to quick swipes, a first impression matters even more than it does in real life.

Exactly! First impressions are huge in online dating, so dont shame some for trying too hard!

Its like getting your foot in the door, presenting yourself in this performative way...Until that impression is ruined because you have to explain yourself," the author writesand I simply have to disagree.

If a guy replying, Oh, thats actually my friends dog. How cute is he? ruins your entire impression of him, then you shouldnt have swiped right to begin with.