“Dogfishing”: This dating trend has hit the dog

Dogfishing
This dating trend has gotten to the dog

by Sally Tine

April 16, 2021, 12:00 a.m.

You swipe to the left for a while, but pause at the next picture: This person not only looks friendly, he is also cuddling with his dog. How sweet! As a true dog fan, you don’t think twice and swipe to the right. But with that you have fallen into the trap of a so-called “dogfisher”.

Dogfishing Dating Trend – What Is It?

After nasty scams like ghosting, breadcrumbing and the like, dogfishing has established itself as a not so classy dating trend. There people post pictures with cute dogs on dating portals. Isn’t it harmless? Not quite, because said dogs do not belong to them at all. With the four-legged snapshots, they hope to be better received by potential partners.

As a supposed dog lover, you hope to come across as down-to-earth and loyal. Numerous Studies actually show that love for animals makes people more likable. A survey by “YouGov” has shown that people with a dog attachment in particular are more attractive to other people. Presumably, we associate a person with a cute dachshund with qualities that we would also like from our partner: gentleness, the ability to bond, reliability and care.

Dogfishers take advantage of the fact that we tend to attribute these characteristics to dog owners (even if they may not apply at all). According to the motto: Look how lovingly I take care of my Labrador, I can’t be a bad person, can I? In addition, the fictitious photos ensure a quick and uncomplicated start of the conversation. But what then?

Video tip: “Hardballing” dating trend

Dogfishing: nasty lie or harmless fraud?

If a dogfisher has you hooked, you will likely ask them about the cute fox terrier first. In many cases, it quickly emerges that the ball of fur is the wauzi of the neighbor’s sister or something similar. If that doesn’t happen, the truth will probably come out when you first visit that person’s apartment.

If it is discovered sooner or later, is it still reprehensible? In one word: yes. Granted, dogfishing is less malicious than highly manipulative tactics such as future faking, but nonetheless it is a delusion. In addition, there is a reason why the term is based on “catfishing”, a method of fraud in which people acquire fake identities online and select a target to exploit. Sure, dogfishing does not go that far and in the digital world it almost belongs It’s a good idea to present yourself in the best possible light – whether it corresponds to reality or not.

Video tip: Beware of the “stashing” dating scam

A lie remains a lie

But making your own life more exciting, interesting or glamorous on Instagram and Co. is one thing. But on a dating platform you want to get to know someone who is looking for a relationship. Pretending to be something you are not borders on emotional betrayal. A dogfisher deliberately deceives his counterpart – and no relationship can be built on a deception. Especially since the duped person will probably lose interest in the dogfisher as soon as the farce comes to an end.

The likely short-lived nature of the fake does not rule out frustration on the part of the deceived person. It can be hurtful to be wrong about someone, even if you haven’t known the person for a long time. That person is unlikely to suffer any significant harm, but dogfishing still joins the ranks of annoying dating trends that no single in this world needs.

Sources used: trendyone.de, RTL.de, gq-magazin.de, sueddeutsche.de