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 Julissa (Coco'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?
Alcazar: We brought Coco home in March of 2023. As first-time dog owners, our goal was to give her the absolute BEST life we possibly can. We used social media as a resource to obtain training tools and techniques, feeding advice/inspirations and to view other people's journeys. As our obsession for Coco began to grow, we decided to make her an Instagram page of her own. Our only intention going into it was to give our friends a break from our everyday posts about Coco and to capture all of her adventures, milestones and cuteness as she grew and learned about the world around her. As we continued to share these memories on Coco's page, we started building a little community of friends who also loved to share their dog's adventures. We had no idea this would be the outcome. We've made so many new friends, some of whom we've met in person for playdates. Most importantly, we've met so many dog owners that we can share stories and recommendations with, build connections, and support one another on our pet journeys. Sometimes I look back at photos of Coco when she was just a few months old and think, "Who would've thought you'd bring us so much joy? Joy that not only we enjoy seeing but 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?
Alcazar: Coco's page is not all glitz and glamour. We also love to showcase her "wild" side. She's silly and curious, has a ray of confidence that shines off of her, and doesn't mind getting dirty (man does she love dirt!). We love presenting her personality for others to see and get a good laugh. They get to see the "behind the scenes" of some of the cute photos you'll find on her page. I saw a post that said "Having a Doberman is a walk in the park. Jurassic Park, but it's still a park." I loved it! Couldn't help but repost because of how well we related to it. Having a Doberman is definitely a walk in Jurassic Park (haha). Coco is a diva, who can be a little stubborn when she wants to be and will dart out of a room in 0.5 seconds if you say the word "bath". Our followers get a good laugh out of these insights, just as much as we get a laugh out of experiencing it in our day-to-day. One thing Coco loves more than fetch? Food! We post a lot of meal inspirations for someone who is a new dog owner like we once were just trying to figure things out. In the midst of it all, discovering small businesses is something we love to share with our followers. It's something we are proud of and will continue to support as much as we can.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Alcazar: When you see Coco's page, think "spontaneous." Majority of her content is not planned. We never wanted her page to be a "job." It's like our digital scrapbook. She can be in the park taking a break from playing fetch and we'd pull out our phone to capture her peaceful elegance (or her "Majestic" side, as our lovely followers say). Do we ask her to sit in front of something if we feel like it's a lovely background for a pic? Of course! Some views are just too perfect to not capture the beauty of it. But, that's exactly what it is. She's our pride and joy. All of the hikes, road trips, and activities we plan, we do it for her enjoyment. For not only the memories, but because we want her to experience the world around us for as long as she possibly can. Every moment we capture is a memory we'll cherish in our hearts forever and something to always look back on and smile.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Alcazar: Presenting your content to the public can come with some backlash. I've seen it in many comment sections. Thankfully, all of our followers are like family. We only exchange positive energy with one another. Do I expect that will change? Sure! I wouldn't doubt there will be someone in the future who might dislike something we post, but we will never allow one bad comment to discourage us from trying to share the highlights and adventures of life with Coco. After all, life with Coco is what created our content and although it may be hard to balance living in the moment and making sure to capture a cute moment on camera, our number one focus would always be enjoying our time spent with Coco before anything.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Alcazar: Go for it! Don't feel discouraged by other comments you may read on social media. We're all just trying to share our journey, capture the memories, and relate to other dog owners. Coco's page started as a fun way to share her life with others. What is it now? Still a fun way to share her life with others, just with more people who have joined us on the journey. Some advice? Avoid the posts that you'll see on your explore page that say "Here's How to Grow Your Dog's Influencer Account"... the numbers do not matter. Do what you love, post what you love, and share what you love. I promise you, there's tons of people in the world who will enjoy it too!
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Alcazar: Oh, my favorite question ever! For months we wanted to change our sleep schedule but couldn't find the energy to do so. Want to know what happened when we brought Coco home? She was our personal drill sergeant, making sure we were on time to report for duty (aka her morning potty break). Free of charge, our sleep schedule changed within a week haha... But seriously, I wouldn't change a thing. The unconditional love is something I wish I felt sooner. Nothing is better than having a bad day and coming home to this innocent, four-legged cuteness wagging their tail and ready to smother you in kisses. To her, we are the best thing ever. Keeping that in our mind encourages us to be better. We want to be the human our dog thinks we are...
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?
Alcazar: So many memories I can think of that just make me smile or laugh. My favorite would be the one time we left the house to run errands and accidentally left a piece of bread on the counter. Did I mention Coco was curious? She knows right from wrong (depending on the occasion), but her curiosity can get the best of her. Fast forward 2 hours, we came back home and Coco was her usual self, happy to greet us. I noticed we left the bread out, but didn't think anything of it. It was still in full and she wasn't curled up in her bed like she normally does when she's feeling guilty. I grabbed the bread to put it away when I noticed two small holes on one side of it. Not only did the suspect have a taste of the bread, she made sure to take just enough where she could taste it, but the humans couldn't really notice it. The suspect in question? She goes by the name @coco.thedobie.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Alcazar: Aside from having a platform to share the ins and outs of Coco's adventures, I would have to say... Meeting new people! We've met so many amazing people and have met so many wonderful brands. It's incredible how supportive someone you meet on social media can be. That would ultimately be my favorite part because it was so unexpected, but we are beyond grateful!
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Alcazar: As Coco's page begins to grow, we'd love to see what brand opportunities come about. Starting next month, Coco will be going to doggy training to brush up on some commands. We're excited to capture the behind the scenes and show people her journey with that. As the warmer weather gears close to us, we'd like to explore new hiking grounds, branch out to local states for day trips, and possibly teach Coco some new tricks!
