Keeping the Pack Happy
Our rules, rating etiquette, and submission guidelines — so RateMyDog stays a positive, welcoming space for every dog lover.
Community Rules
Be kind, always
Every dog and every owner deserves respect. No bullying, harassment, or hurtful comments about a person or their pup.
Rate fairly, not cruelly
Ratings are meant to be fun. Don't tank a dog's score on purpose or coordinate with others to manipulate results.
Respect the community
No spam, advertising, or repeated duplicate posts. Keep conversations on-topic and welcoming for all dog lovers.
Keep it safe for everyone
No inappropriate, offensive, or illegal content. This is a family-friendly space for dog lovers of all ages.
Rating Etiquette
- Rate the dog, not the photo quality — a blurry photo is still a very good boy or girl.
- Use the full criteria when rating; don't just spam 5s or 1s on every dog.
- Leave encouraging descriptions when you can — owners love hearing what makes their pup special.
- Remember ratings are subjective and just for fun. No dog is ever truly a low score.
- Never rate your own dog just to boost its average — let the community decide.
Content Submission Guidelines
Submit your own dog
Only upload photos and videos of dogs you have permission to share. Don't post other people's pets without consent.
Use real, clear images
Upload clear, genuine photos of real dogs. No AI-generated images, stock photos, or heavily filtered/misleading pictures.
Be honest in descriptions
Accurate names, breeds, and descriptions help the community. Don't misrepresent a dog to get more attention.
No harmful or sad content
Don't post content that depicts animal cruelty, injury, or distress. If a post breaks this, it will be removed immediately.
Reporting & Moderation
All submitted dogs and videos are reviewed by our team before they appear on the site. If you spot content that breaks these guidelines, please report it using the Report Content page.
Our moderators may remove content, reject submissions, or restrict accounts that repeatedly violate these guidelines. Decisions are made to protect the community and keep RateMyDog a friendly place for everyone.