Dogfishing is the new trend in online dating and you are probably a victim too

When it comes to online dating, there are a few things that always work. Always? Yes, always. Especially when we women are swiping. Those things are, in no particular order: babies, dogs, and cats.  Well, actually just all animals. Yes, and babies. Only with babies, there is another danger lurking. Is that his/her child? Because if so, that can make dating a bit more difficult for some. And if not, why would someone post a photo with a baby on their dating profile that is NOT theirs?

Yes, that would be weird. And that is exactly what the latest trend in online dating is about. About the deception. The deception in which we, innocent swipers, are convinced of something that is not true. Deliberately. In other words, the new dogfishing. We see this phenomenon very often in the relevant photos and I dare say that you have also fallen victim to this – let’s be honest – serious no-go. With dogfishing, the swipers are – wrongly, the horror – convinced that the other is a proud dog owner.r is.

But. That. Is. Not. Them.

No, they look nice in the photo with a wagging four-legged friend because they know how our tender dog-loving hearts beat faster for that. Looking at myself, that is really true. When I see a photo of a man, who is just posing normally, smiling: nothing wrong. Fine. If that same man is holding a dog, then that’s immediately a hundred plus points. Dog owners are just loved.. Yes, single people know that too.

And that’s why those singles post photos with dogs that are not theirs at all. To fool us. Can we trust no one anymore? You swiped right (because: he/she has a too cute labrador, labradoodle, bulldog, whatever; it’s a dog), you plan a date… You find out that they borrowed a dog just for the occasion. I would say: abort mission. You can’t start a relationship based on a lie. And you were convinced that you had a date with a dog owner. Deception. Fraud. It’s not going to end well. In short: you have become a victim of dogfishing.

So, dear single online daters, this has to stop. Dogfishing must disappear. Swipers just need to know what they are getting into: is it YOUR pet or not? If not, please mention that in your bio. Because the disappointment when you find out the truth is not fun, you know.