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 Holly (Bebo'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?
Rundle: Before I got Bebo, I followed a decent amount of dog influencers who primarily posted funny content of their dogs. I have always enjoyed having a creative outlet in my life through music, drawing and graphic design, so I thought to myself "hey I could totally do this". I thought I had a ton of inspiration from those influencers; however, none of them felt like "me" or Bebo. Once I stopped trying to fit us into a box, it all organically fell into place. I have found that we have felt the most rewarded by posting things we are passionate about: training, lifestyle, husbandry, and a decent amount of comedy because Bebo has a talent for making people smile. My dog influencer role models have now shifted to be people who have strong relationships with their dogs, and I would love to one day have that same impact on others as well.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Rundle: I think the first thing that catches everyone's attention is Bebo's unique coat length, along with his super floofy ears and adorable facial markings. Aside from looks, Bebo displays a variety of traits that other people see in their own dogs: just with a spicy twist! His expressive personality goes unmatched. He is Stick’s number one fan, he loves to play a good ole game of tug with a simple milk jug, he is the ultimate sock thief, and is quite the smarty pants when it comes to learning a trick or two. Additionally, I’m sure Bebo’s followers agree that he can rock any tiny hat you put on him (my favorite is tiny cowboy hat Bebo).
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Rundle: I enjoy creating content that I am interested in and would like to see pop up on my own discovery page. I like introducing new ideas or products that I think would be beneficial for Bebo's followers to be exposed to and that they would enjoy. I like to get them thinking and to try something new. I of course love embracing the dog Bebo is, so I typically just record Bebo being his goofy self throughout the day, or a specific training session we do. I spend the most time afterwards hunting for the perfect audio that matches the content Bebo provided me, and I love to make every tiny detail of our reels match up with the audio.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Rundle: Find your own voice. I think it's important to know who you and/or your dog are, and how you would like to show that to the world. If you like posting certain content and it's not getting the same number of views as a funny video; don't let that discourage you. I promise you, there is someone out there that loves and appreciates what you post. Engage and immerse yourself into the dog community. You can learn so much from others and make connections you never would have if you didn't take the effort to get to know them in the first place.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Rundle: While I have a degree that provided me with a background in animal behavior, husbandry, and training, I did not pursue it as a primary career. Bebo has helped me still pursue that passion of mine. I chose the Dalmatian breed because it fit in with my current lifestyle and I knew he would challenge me and I would challenge him to bring out the best in ourselves. Bebo isn't even 1.5 years old but he has already taught me so much on how to be patient, understanding, and a problem solver. Bebo and I have built such a strong relationship with each other that yes... I consider my dog my best friend. He's a friend that I can enjoy the things I love with, I can run around and be crazy with, and I can learn new things with.
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?
Rundle: When Bebo was just a tinier version of himself, I took him to our community tennis courts to run around with his mini Australian shepherd bestie, Ziggy, because we didn't have a fenced in yard. Bebo was struggling to keep up in a game of chase and was so focused on catching his pal that he ran headfirst into the net! Somehow, I managed to get that exact moment on video (you can find it on his page). He was completely fine, but he indeed learned after that to run AROUND the net!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Rundle: The community! I absolutely love sharing Bebo to the world. He makes me so happy, and I want to be able to spread that happiness. I have met so many people through Bebo's account that I talk to daily. I go to them for advice, resources, product recommendations, I share our accomplishments or struggles, or to just talk about non-dog stuff! I've even gotten the opportunity to meet up in person! I love hearing from everyone so if you follow Bebo, please reach out and say hi!
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Rundle: As Bebo continues to grow up, we are interested in sharing our new and exciting experiences. We plan to test out a few dog sports to see what Bebo enjoys the most! We want to continue sharing our training journey to show that it's possible for everyone to train their dog! We hope to continue to inspire other dog owners to find joy in connecting with their dog. There will also be more tiny hat Bebo content in the near future!
