DOGFLUENCERS: Meet North, Southern California's Viral Australian Shepherd
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 Courtney (North'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?
La Fossé: North's social media adventure was about as spontaneous as can be. My husband and I were diving headfirst into adulting with our first dog and we were determined to capture every moment.
I will say that a lot of inspiration for creating the page for North came from Joey and Frankie (@frankietothemoon) and their YouTube channel. Watching Joey bring Frankie home, navigate training, and share the unfiltered reality of Aussie ownership got me inspired. Despite my daily career as a social media manager for various brands, I was dead set on making North's page a haven of joy, not just another day at the office.
Fast forward to December 2020, and voila, North entered our lives with all the Aussie cuteness one could handle. We had no grand plan for her page, just a desire to document her antics for our enjoyment. We were newbies in the camping, off-roading, and overloading scene with our built-out Toyota Tacoma, and we knew North was destined to be our adventure sidekick.
From day one, North's love affair with the truck and the great outdoors became the focal point of her content. Who could resist an Aussie pup and an undeniable love for outdoor adventures? Certainly not us! So here we are, creating a doggy diary filled with smiles, tail wags (yes our Aussie has a tail), and a whole lot of fun in nature. Life with North? It's a barky ride, and we're loving every moment!
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
La Fossé: What makes North's page stand out? Well, it's the glorious lack of a master plan. After three years of content creation, it's still all about the sheer joy of it. No fixed themes, no elaborate series – just a daily dive into the charming chaos that is North's life.
One factor that makes North very unique is her tail. In a world of docked Aussie tails, North proudly sports hers, and the DMs flooding in prove that people are intrigued. That fluffy "pom pom" tail has become the star of the show, drawing comments and admiration from North's audience.
But, let's rewind a bit to when North hit that rebellious teenage phase at 1.5 years old. I truly believe this is what began a lot of the audience's interest in North’s page. She started to become reactive to other dogs, it was like she discovered her inner drama queen. Instead of hiding it, we took our audience on a journey behind the scenes – the training struggles, the triumphs, and the lessons learned. It was an open book on North's reactivity, proving that not all dogs are flawless, and hey, we're all in this learning curve together! The response was overwhelming, with DMs and comments pouring in, thanking us for keeping it real. Fast forward to now, North is 3, and her reactivity has come a long way – a testament to growth, learning, and the unpredictably delightful ride of life with our unique, tail-wagging Aussie.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
La Fossé: Honestly, the creative process? There isn't one. Picture this: we're out and about, living life with North, and we snap pics and shoot videos just like we would if social media didn't exist. It keeps her page feeling authentic and not a tedious task.
Take our road trips, for instance. We capture North with her little head out the window, soaking in the scents, pit stops for breaks, and all the thrilling moments – from hiking trails to off-roading escapades leading to our campsite. Even our everyday walks turn into impromptu film sessions, featuring her hilarious zoomies or showcasing our latest training adventures.
No script, no preplanned grand ideas – we just go with the flow and share whatever feels downright natural. It's not about choreographed perfection; it's about capturing the genuine, sassy, and heartwarming moments of life with North.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
La Fossé: Dealing with the chorus of opinions on how to handle a reactive dog has been a real rollercoaster. But you know what? I've chosen to face it head-on, wearing transparency-like armor and continuing to share North's unfiltered story.
Let's be real; it's social media, and most of these folks have never met North or truly know her. The bottom line is, my husband and I live and breathe for North. She's our everything, and we're committed to giving her the best life possible adapting to her reactivity.
Now, as for challenges, here's a big one: the struggle to balance being present in the moment and keeping up with the posting game. There are times when you just want to ditch the phone, soak in the now, and, let's face it, maybe enjoy a Northie cuddle without worrying about documenting it.
Sure, there's a twinge of guilt afterward for missing a potential post-worthy moment. But when all is said and done, let's not forget it's just social media. The goal isn't to warp our lives for the sake of content; it's about embracing the real, unscripted moments and cherishing our life with North.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
La Fossé: Just go for it! Whether you end up with 10 followers or 10,000, the number game doesn't matter. If you're diving into it with the mindset that there's no pressure and it's all about your happiness, then why hold back?
Looking at North's page, it's a treasure trove of smiles for me. Even my mom, bless her heart, follows it, and whenever she's missing North, a quick dive into the Reels brings a beaming grin to her face.
Ignore the noise, kick hesitation to the curb, and create that account. You don't need a fancy camera or envy-inducing vacations to spice things up. Just be yourself and share those special, funny, loving moments with your pup!
It's not about the numbers; it's about creating a little corner of joy on the internet. So, seize the moment and let the doggy adventures begin.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
La Fossé: I could talk about this forever! My love for animals dates back to my childhood; we had a whole zoo at home – dogs, cats, mice, birds, lizards, you name it. Interestingly, I was always a massive cat person, adoring our dogs but never feeling that deep connection with them.
Now, my husband and I are crazy cat parents to three rescue kitties. However, we realized our cats weren't exactly thrilled about road trips. Enter North, our game-changer. We playfully call her the extended version of our cats, a little companion we can bring along on our adventures.
North flipped the script on our lives. We thought we were outdoorsy, but looking back, we were more indoorsy. Thanks to North, we're embracing the open road, trying new things, and savoring the little joys in life. We often laugh, realizing we didn't fully appreciate our city until North came along. Three years ago, if you asked me for directions, I'd be clueless. Now, thanks to our daily outings with North, I've become the local guide, knowing all the best hiking spots and parks for pup playdates.
She's not just a furry friend; she's a love-filled, patient teacher. North has shown me the beauty of patience and unconditional love like no other animal ever has. She's my soul dog, hands down. Her presence can light up any room (or pierce the atmosphere with her bark, literally), and she's always the center of attention – a true wigglebutt of fun.
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?
La Fossé: North's knack for clumsiness has gifted us with a plethora of hilarious moments, but one truly takes the cake. Picture this: a cozy night camping in our iKamper, North monopolizing the sleeping bag and the heated blanket, as per her usual routine.
Now, here's the scene-stealer – whenever she snuggles in with my husband and me, he gets the adorable sight of her head nestled on his pillow, while I, on the other hand, get the full tail treatment, complete with hooves kicking me in the throat.
One night, I decided to capture the kicking on camera. As I aimed my phone to record her unintentional throat kicks, the unexpected happened.