DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Lilo, Amsterdam's Favorite Doxie

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 Laura (Lilo'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?

Becoming a dog influencer wasn't something I had planned, but rather a natural evolution of my content creation journey. Initially, I focused on sharing travel content and date ideas in Amsterdam on my personal account for about a year. However, when my partner and I adopted Lilo, I couldn't resist sharing his adventures alongside our own.

To my surprise, Lilo quickly captured the spotlight on our social media feed. His posts attracted much more attention and engagement than my previous content, whether it was about travel or our apartment. The positive responses from friends and followers alike encouraged us to consider giving Lilo his own platform.

After receiving numerous suggestions from friends, we made the decision to create a dedicated profile for Lilo. Additionally, we have two mini lop bunnies, although I've been less active on their profile since the onset of the pandemic. Given the overwhelming response to Lilo's content, we saw an opportunity to revive and rebrand their profile, allowing all our pets to share their adventures together.

Thus, the journey to becoming a dog influencer began as a combination of spontaneous sharing of Lilo's experiences and the encouragement of friends and followers. It's been an exciting transition, and we're grateful for the support and love our furry family members receive from our online 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?

Lilo's popularity stems from his big personality, typical of dachshunds, and his undeniable cuteness. But what really sets him apart is the videos we share of him with my partner. There's just something special about seeing a wiener pup with a guy, and our followers can't get enough of it!

How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?

For me, creating content isn't new territory—I've been a self-employed content creator for a while now. Ideas often pop up spontaneously. It could be hearing a trending audio and coming up with a catchy caption, or scrolling through old puppy videos of Lilo when he was an absolute devil and finding a funny way to share them on his Instagram. Surprisingly, it's often the most random ideas that end up going viral!

Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?

Dealing with negativity on social media can be a rollercoaster ride, and there's one incident that really stands out. During our month-long workation in Spain, my partner, Lilo, and I posted a video from our hotel room. It was a hilarious POV clip depicting the reality of having a dog when you're trying to use the bathroom. Lilo, as always, stole the show with his adorable presence. The video quickly got a ton of views—3.2 million, to be exact.

But along with the views came an unexpected flood of negative comments. Suddenly, everyone seemed to think they were experts on dog care, saying Lilo's nails were too long and causing all sorts of problems. Some comments were really mean, questioning how well we take care of Lilo. It got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore—I got really upset and wrote a comment explaining that Lilo's nails had been trimmed by our vet after surgery, and we were planning to trim them again soon.

In the heat of the moment, I looked online for the nearest dog grooming salon in Malaga, where we were at the time, and got Lilo's nails sorted out right away. I updated the comments with the good news, and surprisingly, both my initial comment and the update got lots of support. The mean comments about Lilo's nails stopped, and things calmed down.

What really amused me, though, were the people who took the video too literally. Some suggested that if I wanted privacy, I should close the door. Of course, I know basic bathroom etiquette, but the video was just meant to be a funny joke—a way to show what life with a dog is really like. It's amazing how some people miss the point entirely, but that's social media for you.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?

If you're thinking about starting your own dog influencer account or sharing your dog on social media, my advice is simple: don't overthink it. Post whatever you like, because let's face it, everyone loves dogs, so there's bound to be a group of people who will follow you. Start by using trending audios, maybe try out a few trends, and post reels consistently. Throw in some stories here and there to keep things interesting.

Don't be afraid to experiment. As you create content, you'll figure out what you enjoy sharing and what resonates with your audience. But most importantly, have fun with it! Social media can be a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, but it's also about building your own community and enjoying the process.

Remember, you have nothing to lose. And even if it doesn't work out as you expected, you'll always have this cute digital diary of your dog. You can rewatch those adorable moments whenever you feel sentimental. So go ahead, capture those precious memories, and let the world see how amazing your dog truly is!

How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?

Lilo's impact on our lives extends far beyond social media. When we first brought him home as an 8-week-old puppy, those initial months were tough. We experienced what many call "puppy blues" — endless potty breaks, intense training sessions, and lots of ruined furniture and carpets. It felt like our lives were consumed by his needs, and at times, we worried it would always be this way.

But as time passed, Lilo grew, and so did our bond with him. Approaching his first birthday, we noticed a remarkable change. We could finally travel with him — he's even flown on a plane ten times already! We take him to cafes and gatherings with friends, and he can now stay at home alone without any issues. He even lets us sleep in until 10 am, and his potty breaks are limited to just a few times a day, which he asks for by ringing a bell. It's amazing to see how much can change in such a short time.

Our lives have been greatly improved. We do everything together, from gardening to cleaning the house. When I work from my laptop, he's always there, sleeping on my lap. He happily sits in the basket when we cycle to a park, and whenever we're feeling sad, he's there to cheer us up with his playful behavior and constant affection. Our happiness levels have risen with him by our side. There's something truly special about the unconditional love and boundless energy he brings into our lives. We can't imagine life without him now; he's become a really important part of our family.

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?

One of the best times with Lilo happened during our work trip to Spain. We started in Malaga for a few days before going to Marbella. I mention these places so you can see how well Lilo remembers, even as a 10-month-old pup.

While we were in Malaga, we decided to give Lilo his first puppucino ever at Starbucks. He really loved it! We got him a full cup but only let him have half to make sure he wouldn't get a tummy ache. It was so much fun for all of us. After that, we went to Marbella for a few days and then came back to Malaga.

One morning when we were walking in Malaga, we happened to pass by the Starbucks where Lilo had his puppucino. Suddenly, Lilo pulled towards it, stopped, and started crying. We were surprised and thought it was just a coincidence. But he kept doing it during our walks over the next few days.

Whenever my partner and I got a cappuccino at any cafes after that, Lilo would look at it with longing, like he remembered his special treat from Starbucks in Malaga. It was both heartwarming and funny to see how much that one experience meant to him.

Now, we only give Lilo puppucinos on special occasions, like when we recently hit 10k followers on social media. It's just one of those sweet and lovely moments that remind us of the special bond we share with Lilo.

What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?

My favorite thing about being a dog influencer is sharing our real experiences with Lilo— the good, the bad, the funny— and keeping a digital diary of how he grows up and becomes a big part of our lives! It's amazing to see how many people worldwide can relate to our journey and connect with us through our shared love for dogs.

Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?

Our dream is to take Lilo with us to Asia. We visited Thailand last year for a month-long trip, just my partner and me, before we adopted Lilo. There's something pulling us back there again, and we'd love to show the world that it's possible not only to travel with your dog in Europe but also beyond! We're excited about the possibility of sharing our adventures in Asia with our followers on social media.