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 Ciara (Nikolai & Vala'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?
Proia: I was having so much fun taking pictures and videos of my dogs, and I thought "Why not share the fun with others?"
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Proia: They are a unique breed pairing, and apart from the cute and silly, I try to bring attention to the importance and benefits of proper training.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Proia: I'd say it is a combination of finding inspiration from others and choosing to highlight specific quirks and habits of each dog.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Proia: I have received negative responses to pointing out the importance of training, specifically with Siberian Huskies, who definitely have a reputation online for being wild and untrainable. I deal with it by just trying to educate through my own content and demonstrate what is possible. This became particularly important to me after realizing the number of Huskies that end up lost, rehomed, or surrendered because they become too much to handle.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Proia: I'd say just have fun and don't overthink it. People love dogs and they do a great job of being entertaining without much direction.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Proia: They bring joy to our household every day, working from home can get boring sometimes and being able to look over and see Vala parkour off of the couch to the window nook or hear Nikko howl from the other room always brings a chuckle. It's also always fun to take them places and see the joy they bring to others; little reminders of things that are good in this world.
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?
Proia: One of my favorite videos is from a camping trip we took in the fall where Vala is barking at Nikko who is eating a treat (she got one too, but as usual she inhaled it and then got upset and wanted the one he had) and her barks caused an echo which confused her, so each time she barked she heard the echo and then stopped and looked around for another dog.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Proia: I wouldn't say it's so much about "being" an influencer, I just have fun with my dogs and like to share it.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Proia: There are some things coming up that I think will lead to pretty cool content like trips and both Nikko and Vala exploring dog sports now that they are old enough.
