DOGFLUENCERS: Meet Rowan & Ryland, Instagram's Favorite Duo
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 Cambrie (Rowan & Ryland'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?
Kasler: My dogs’ Instagram account began as a sort of record-keeping as Rowan was growing up. I wanted a place to store all her pictures and videos, but over time, I realized that we could use our platform for more! By sharing our adventures and training, I realized that we could promote our values around dogs and inspire others to give their dogs the best lives possible, too. Through this account, our goal is to inspire other people to bond with, train, and adventure with their dogs! They are here for such a short time and deserve to see the world! We’ve had a lot of people learn from our videos and apply to their own dogs, and that makes me so, so happy!
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Kasler: I think something that sets my dogs apart is that they both have such “contagious” personalities. People have fallen in love with my dogs from around the world, and I genuinely feel like it’s because of their personalities and how much they mean to me. I’ve been told before that the way I write about them draws people in, and I’m able to write about them in the way that I do because they are just so special! They also attract multiple “groups” of people because they are adventure dogs, but they are both also task-trained service dogs. (Rowan is now retired.) I think their multiple disciplines and versatility makes people interested in what they are up to.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Kasler: Most of my videos are a bit spontaneous. The ideas just come to me, and I make them happen. I try to have a healthy mix on our feed of training tips, service dog information, adventure videos, and pictures from our outings! I try to make our posts and captions engaging and informative!
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Kasler: Yes, I have had people “attack” me in the comment section on some of my videos for one reason or another. I try to educate these people, and if they don’t seem receptive or were just outright rude, I will usually reply just once with a “shut down” attitude to convey that I’m not interested in arguing with them on my posts or about my dogs!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Kasler: The best advice I can give is to just be genuine. Posting about your dogs is awesome, and sharing the love you have for them with others can be a vulnerable thing. If your goal is to grow your account, the best way to do it is to be truthful and open about your journey with them and how much they mean to you. I think the other big thing is to never let influencing get in the way of your relationship with your dog! They don’t understand Instagram or views or followers, so when you’re trying to get content for posts, don’t stress them out with it or anything. It should be natural and candid for the most part! Our dogs do everything in the world to please us, and ruining your bond over views is never worth it.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Kasler: My life revolves around my dogs completely. I plan my days around them, whether it’s walks, hikes, runs, training classes, or training sessions at home… We do it all, and I love to spend time with them! They are my priority even around a work schedule and being a full-time college student. They push me to be more motivated and more responsible. Rowan and Ryland have changed my life for the better in SO many ways!
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?
Kasler: I think one of my favorite memories from an adventure with them is that I was just standing on the path watching them play. They were running around the woods at full speed, and nothing brings me more joy than that! But, I had “spaced out” for a minute, and Rowan came running toward me. She blew past me, but Ryland ran straight into my legs and wiped me out into a mud puddle. Moments like that make me laugh so hard!
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Kasler: I love knowing that we can help and encourage other dog owners! I have had people message me before that their dog learned recall through our tips and can now run off-leash. I’ve had someone message me to tell me that we inspired them to get a Vizsla, and someone messaged me to tell me that our posts about ethical breeding helped them choose a responsible breeder to get their puppy from. I would be doing what I’m doing with my dogs regardless of sharing it on Instagram, but we continue to do it because we can make a difference in other people’s lives. That’s a wonderful thing!
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Kasler: We recently became brand ambassadors for our favorite dog gear shop, and they have Fi Series 3 compatible collars. We have upcoming plans to promote our new brand deal, as well as the Fi brand (even though we aren’t ambassadors or anything… We just love Fi!) We also have some big trips planned for hiking adventures in the upcoming months!