DOGFISHING

Here’s a name for something that’s been going on for awhile in the dating world: Dogfishing. Men are posting photos of themselves with dogs they don’t own, to attract matches. People are faking dog ownership because it helps make them look like they have nurturing qualities. A 2014 survey of Match.com users showed that on the site, more women sought out men who have dogs than the other way around. Erika Ettin, an online dating coach in Washington, says, “Sometimes women subconsciously equate things like how a man treats his dog is how he would treat a partner.” She advises her clients to present a profile representative of their actual life. “It’s just odd when you’re using someone else’s dog online, and it seems like you’re trying too hard.”
* Wise up, Erika. It’s not “trying too hard”, it’s using and and every trick in the book to get laid. (Or … “meet women”)
* Then when you go on the date and they ask where your dog is, you say it died so you can play the sympathy card.
* Dishonest personal profiles on the internet? Is that actually a thing?
* Wait – there’s a job called “online dating coach”? Once again, my high school guidance counselor has failed me by not suggesting possible career options.
* Would it be lying if you pose with, say, a hot dog? I guess that would just be weird in a whole ‘nother way.