DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Wade, Temecula's Instagram Famous Golden Retriever
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 Val (Wade'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?
Martinez: Our journey started on a random Thursday afternoon when we decided to edit a clip of Wade running at the park followed by one of the first videos we took of him after we brought him home. There was such a massive difference within just two months that we realized we needed/wanted to capture everything!
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Martinez: Wade was born ready for the camera! We’ve never met such a patient and gentle pup. He loves to do anything for some treats so once he is in front of the camera he’ll be sure to give you his best performance.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Martinez: Initially we had no ideas for posts or content, we just had plenty of pictures and videos that we wanted to share with everyone. As we dove more into the TikTok and Instagram world, we came across hilarious trends that we really enjoyed participating in. Watching Wade eat his treats had become a favorite pastime so we started a series called Crunch Chronicles that we all get a kick out of. Episode 2 coming soon!
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Martinez: Thankfully we haven’t come across any challenges or negativity! The dog community on TikTok and Instagram have some of the most welcoming and friendly people we’ve met. We’ve made friends across the country and across the globe.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Martinez: Our best advice would be to have patience and stay consistent. When we first started posting pictures and videos of Wade, we didn’t immediately gain a lot of traction which can be discouraging at first, however, after about 5-6 months we started to see a spike in our account! We’ve also received so much help from our new friends in New Jersey that we met during our influencer journey, ThreeGoldiesOnePyr. Making connections is great for someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Martinez: Wade has had a huge impact on our lives outside of social media. Without saying a word he has encouraged us to explore more and enjoy being outside, stop and smell the roses, give extra hugs and kisses, and really just share and enjoy his unconditional love!
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?
Martinez: One of our favorite memories that we thankfully have on video is Wade’s first bark AND jump on the couch all in one. Of course when we first brought him home we were recording everything he did and somehow we were able to capture his bark that took us all by surprise. I think he was even so excited himself he ended up jumping on the couch with us right after!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Martinez: The best thing about being a dog influencer has been meeting and interacting with an amazing community of dog lovers. Being able to make people’s days with his adorable little face really brings us so much joy! And of course being able to look back on all these incredibly cute and hilarious pictures and videos we have of Wade!
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Martinez: This upcoming month of March we will be walking 1 mile a day to support Stop Soldier Suicide. We have so many great trails and hikes here in Temecula that we can’t wait to check out. We’ll also try to roll out some more Crunch Chronicle episodes. Other than that, we will keep adventuring and capturing every moment with Wade!