Welcome to the ultimate destination for dog enthusiasts and social media mavens alike. At Dogfluencers, we're passionate about showcasing the best and brightest in the world of four-legged fame.
Whether you're looking for adorable photos, heartwarming stories, or expert tips on how to turn your own pup into a social media star, we've got you covered.
Today we got the honor of interviewing Alfie (Alfie's Human). You can find a direct link to their Instagram here.
Here is their story:
Can you tell us about your journey to becoming a dog influencer? What inspired you to start sharing your dog's adventures on social media?
Wei: When I first started Alfie's account, it was just a way for me to share all the cuteness of him for my family and close friends to see. Being a first time dog mom, I knew I was going to take a million photos and videos of him on the daily. Even if it was just him sleeping! I wanted everyone to ogle over him :) There wasn’t any particular theme that came to my mind. There was always enough adventures for him to meet a ton of neighborhood dogs and taking walks from East River to Central Park to Downtown and everywhere in between. I wanted him to explore and capture all these memories of him as a local city pup. Alfie's account has been up for almost 2.5 years now and he’s still adorable as can be and continues to bring smiles to anyone that comes across his account.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Wei: Honestly this is a difficult question! Don't get me wrong, I think Alfie is the cutest as can be, but there are also a ton of dog influencers who are just as amazing. Yay, to all the dog content out there! I’ve always loved having Alfie wear clothes but since summer is approaching, it’s too hot to wear any. So recently I’ve been dressing him up in bandanas. The funny part is that in most of the posts of him wearing one, he’s not looking the happiest. But the natural cute and floofy cavapoo factor gives him an in and his followers are loving it!
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Wei: Creative process? If I'm lucky enough, get Alfie's attention with some treats for him to pose so I can snap a photo at the perfect time! Alfie’s content is kind of all over the place; we don’t do any professional photoshoots with any fancy camera (it’s just my iPhone). There isn’t any particular theme; it’s kind of what is going on around us. Over the holiday season, I took Alfie to a lot of holiday themed events and we did a countdown to Christmas as the daily post. We were getting awesome comments from followers that they were loving the countdown. The best part about the city is that there is always an event; and so when there is and I have time, we trek our way there and so then his content is just that - adventures around the city!
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Wei: Well, recently I received a comment in which I posted a reel of Alfie getting a little "feisty" with his jumbo Lambchop. I was told that was explicit! Who knew it would have been taken that way?! Aside from that, I've been lucky enough to not have received any other backlash. In terms of challenges, there's the struggle of creating a page with a particular theme or just continue to go with the flow. I've looked at a ton of other dog influencer accounts and hoped to translate that inspiration to Alfie's page. It’s the constant comparison of the aesthetic backgrounds like an open field of nature vs the grittiness of the city. Sometimes I just want to up and move out of the city, but then Alfie would miss the best of both worlds because we have Central Park. And how can I not give him the best life to sniff out all the grass and doggie butts that comes his way! There’s also the moments when I didn’t capture the funny encounters like when Alfie had an interaction with a bodega cat, or when he jumped up on a 3 foot high table to snatch the treats, or when his human cousin snuggled up next to him and he gave major side eye. Those would’ve been awesome to capture but you just have to live in the moment and laugh about it knowing your dog can be mischievous and so sweet at the same time!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Wei: As Nike’s motto goes, JUST DO IT! Who doesn’t love to see all the adorable wet noses, funny moments, adventures, dog/human bonding and even challenges that we go through with our fur-babies? Even if you think you don’t have all the time in the world or you’re not creative enough, just start and you’ll be surprised the additional hours you’re wanting to spend to show off your dog! One big thing that I think a lot of people struggle with and my advice for it - don’t get too caught up with your follower count. Yeah, you might have a monthly goal or start to think how did some of those other dog accounts gain so many followers in such a short time? Honestly, I still think that sometimes, but remind yourself it’s not a competition! We’re all here just to show to the world how wonderful, sweet and fun loving our dogs are! So go ahead, snap some photos and videos, and make your first post now!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Wei: When I was a kid, I always wanted a dog. Well, I never had that. But now I have Alfie and I get to create memories with him! He’s one of the best decisions of my life. I never realized how much I was missing out on learning about the city. I would find myself trying to get out of it. Honestly, he’s taught me to enjoy the simpler things in life like just taking walks outside to enjoy the city surroundings. There are so many things that I never realized existed! Also, whenever I sit on the floor, Alfie will come up to me and reach up to put his paws on my shoulders. That means he want some rubs and hugs. He doesn’t realize it, but I needed that hug too. He’s given me the sense of love that just doesn’t compare! He completes me. Seriously! :)
Can you tell us about a particularly memorable or funny moment you've had with your dog during one of your photo shoots or adventures?
Wei: We attended this cavapoo meet up (@cavapoofriendsnyc) at Zoom Room which has a space with agility courses. I asked my friend to video tape us going through the obstacles and at this one course it required him to jump over the bar. But he couldn’t do it so I lowered it. I encouraged him to do the jump again by giving him extra treats. But instead of jumping over, he walked around the side. I tried it a few more times but then somehow he thought it was the hula or something and he just kept crawling under the bar! It was pretty low!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Wei: I love sharing everything that is Alfie. From his ‘tongue out tuesday’ to ‘won’t look wednesday’ (which really it’s more like ‘won’t look everyday’) posts. And his oh so dapper self in his bandanas. Who can’t get enough of a cute cuddly cavapoo?! But the most favorite part is the awesome dog community. I could have never imagined connecting via social media and sharing so much relatable ups and downs of being a dog mom. Getting support from a faceless person discussing about various topics like training to separation anxiety has been a blessing in disguise (literally).
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Wei: We are working on some collaborations! If you notice, there is a slight shift in the postings, but we’ll still continue to post a lot of the regular day to day adventures!
