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 Alyssa (Dezik'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?
Hensley: I knew before I even brought Dezik home that I wanted to document his life and our journey together. I wanted to find a place where I could share the funny moments, his goofy personality, and even some of our mishaps to enjoy not only in the moment but also to cherish down the road (because life is short and time moves way too fast). I landed on creating an Instagram account for him and the rest is history! We've been very fortunate for all the friends we've made along the way and the wonderful "dogstagram" community.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Hensley: Dezik's personality (and sometimes attitude) is almost as big as he is and he's always doing something to make people laugh. On top of that, we live in a fairly unique location that gets roughly 200 inches of snow each year and is also gorgeous in the other seasons. I think that sets us apart from others because not only can I showcase how special Dezik is and our outdoor adventures together but I can also showcase the amazing location we call home.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Hensley: I don't really have any specific creative processes or ways I come up with content. Myself and my husband will take pictures or videos of Dezik when we are somewhere interesting or when he's doing something we want to capture and go from there. If I'm posting a reel I'll typically take more time to go through audio and try to find videos I have of him to compliment it.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Hensley: We have been pretty fortunate so far that we haven't had much negativity on our page. The only situation that comes to mind was when I posted about Dezik being a registered therapy dog and being available to come out for visits, we had someone tell me that it "sounds like I'm the one who needs therapy." We had a laugh about it, deleted the comment and carried on.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Hensley: Just do it! Don't try to "go viral" or go into it with the goal of being a huge account or force your pet into situations or environments they may be uncomfortable with. Have fun with it and do it because you want to share the joy of your dog with others, build a community, and document memories. It's cliché but if you just be yourself and don't try to force anything it'll be a more enjoyable experience.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Hensley: Dezik has influenced my life outside of social media in so many ways. I've always been an introvert but that's nearly impossible when we're out together. He loves people and people love him so I've found myself having more interactions with strangers than I've ever had before. His love for people also encouraged me to get him certified as a therapy dog so he can share his love with even more people. He has pushed me out of my comfort zone, gotten me to socialize more, and brought me (and countless others) so much happiness.
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?
Hensley: One particularly funny moment we've had was when we were on a winter walk and I just wanted to get a video of Dezik walking through the snow. One of his favorite things to do is roll around in the snow so I shouldn't have been too surprised.... but the moment I started recording he decided he only wanted to walk with his back legs, and bunny hop along with his entire front half dragging on the ground. He knows better content than I do sometimes!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Hensley: I love getting to meet new people (and dogs!) in the community and getting to share Dezik with so many others.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Hensley: We are hoping in the near future we'll be able to post more off-road adventures and camping content that showcase the beautiful place we live and how much Dezik loves being in nature.
