Try to use a bigger apreature and a longer focla length to help isolate the subject more. For doggy portraits most often the eyes have to be in focus If you want to hide the leash you can drape it over the side of the dog that is facing AWAY from the camera. Its how i normally do it when the dog cannot be let of the leash.
Kit zoom lens la!!!, already at maximum aperture, and yes, doggie's eyes are in focus... Lens zoomed to short tele end.
This was just a quick unplanned snapshot taken late in the day, hence the slow shutter speed, max aperture and high ISO. Perhaps I ought to have tweaked the levels a little before posting but as it is, the camera's exposure for a black and white subject in fading light is pretty good.
Actually after seeing the exposure data, I'm pretty amazed just how effective the Pentax K100D's in-body Shake Reduction is. Blimey, 1/10 sec hand held. Definitely works!!! :thumbsup: