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 Kalie (Ellie, Scout, and Mollie'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?
Skinner: Honestly, I never thought we would start a dog Instagram until we got Ellie. We received a few model inquiries, we started an account, and it all took off from there. Me being a crazy dog lover and wanting to spoil my pups with an active and fashionable lifestyle definitely played a huge part! Having multiple pointers is often recognized as “crazy” (they may not be wrong lol) but Fi helped us realize that we just strive for a fully active lifestyle and our dogs help us embrace that lifestyle!
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Skinner: We have 3 pointers! Again, crazy in the books of many. We also have 2 frenchies. What a whirlwind of an adventure, but oh so worth it. Mollie (Weimaraner) is my service dog in training and having multiple working dogs in the house is such a blessing. There is ALWAYS something silly going on in our house, but we just embrace it and laugh just like the rest of our fur friends + followers.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Skinner: I have a passion for taking photos/videos of the dogs. Sometimes I get lucky and catch them just at the right moments where they’re doing something comical! Other times we are promoting some of our favorite brands by staging photos and simply capturing the pups while they’re playing outdoors. I do plan out our sponsored content and consider ideas for reels. However, with 5 dogs there’s only so much you can “plan.” The rest is simply down to high value treats and their willingness to cooperate lol!
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Skinner: Absolutely!! We have faced negativity with having five dogs and 1 being a service dog in training. There are many opinions out there but only one true story. At the end of the day all that matters is that each of the pups are happy, safe, and well cared for. I have learned to accept that there will always be negative people out there on social media, the workplace, and the general public. How we respond is what keeps us genuine and sets us apart.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Skinner: Our advice would be just go for it!! Having an Instagram for the pups has been such an outlet, safe space, and supportive community that I will forever be grateful for. It has opened my eyes to so many different breeds, styles of training, and ways to spoil the dogs. It has made life so rewarding and fun. At the end of the day, be yourself and share the content that makes you happy! You and your dogs don’t have to live a lavish lifestyle to be influencers! Your life doesn’t have to be perfect. Just take in every moment + capture what you can when you can! Post to share with the world that having dogs is a blessing + and privilege, not one to be taken advantage of.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Skinner: My dogs have taught me SO much. They have taught me unconditional love, patience, and joy. These dogs are my children! Unfortunately, not all dogs get the same chance that mine have and it breaks my heart. I have started donating, working with rescues to help raise money, and promoting small businesses that do the same to make a difference in the world. Dogs don’t get to choose their owners and they deserve the best chance we can give them at a happy and healthy life.
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?
Skinner: This is such a hard question because every photoshoot is absolute chaos at our house haha! I will say one of the funniest moments was when I was recording Ellie and Scout playing in the old apartment before we moved into our house. Ellie jumped from one side of the living room to the recliners over baby Mollie and Mollie rolled across the floor in her Christmas PJ’s like a little rolly polly (she was totally fine!). The content was hilarious and totally unexpected, but so is most of our adventures because the dogs are nuts the majority of the time. Most people comment about how they don’t understand why we do it but it makes life interesting, memorable, comical, and special. We wouldn’t trade this for the world. The pups are all best friends and raise them all together from a young age is definitely the best way to do it. From playing with toys, wrestling outside, taking walks and lake trips together, and snuggling together in bed they are each special in their own ways.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Skinner: Our favorite thing about being a dog influencer is all the connections we have made with fellow influencers! It’s so fun meeting new friends and seeing them grow and take their adorable pups on adventures with them. All dogs deserve to be spoiled!
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Skinner: Our next goal is to make it to the SuperZoo this year in Las Vegas! We hope to make awesome memories and content there, all while tracking our activity via Fi:) Not only that but we are happy to start finally sharing more of our experience with having a service dog in training. There is a LOT of opinions and judgment out there, but we hope to battle and change that perspective by bravely sharing our journey so that others in our position can feel safe in the service dog community.
