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 Lucia (Thor and Wheatley'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?
Arias: I got Thor in April of 2020 and the covid lockdown happened in March of 2020. I was feeling honestly quite lonely since I had just moved into my own apartment and my best friend was working in a hospital so I wasn't able to see her much at all. I had also transitioned into working remotely which was all a recipe for mental and social isolation. I think like most people during the pandemic we looked for ways to engage with others in a safe way. So I got Thor as a reason to be outside, not feel alone and socialize on the internet. He was also such a cute puppy that I couldn't help but take photos of him constantly. Originally his Instagram was just a way for friends and family to see him growing up while we remained at a distance.
What do you think sets your dog apart from other dogs on social media? What makes them unique or particularly interesting to your followers?
Arias: The dog community is so diverse and there are so many niche areas. We are able to curate an image of ourselves and out pets showcasing them in any way we'd like which for most creators is just the "good" parts. I try to show the good, the bad and the gross. I often call Thor "poopy butt" and have even recorded a reel showing me shaving his dingleberries because that's what real life is like with a dog who's got long hair sometimes. I also have been capturing our reactivity/selectivity journey. Both Thor and Wheat have their own individual behavioral issues but we are working through them which is a journey of growth for all three of us. They aren't just cute little angels who pose nicely for photos, sometimes they are stinky, nasty little turds, but at the end of the day they have my whole heart. I truly think people in the community find humor and relatability in the parts of our lives that I share online.
How do you come up with ideas for your dog's posts and content? Do you have a specific creative process?
Arias: There are lulls when it comes to the creative content creation process. Sometimes the posts/videos just make themselves because they are naturally silly little handfuls. Other times I'm racking my brain to find creative ways to showcase their talents, products we like or their cute outfits. Finding audios I like and then planning around the lyrics usually works for me.
Have you ever faced any challenges or negativity on social media, and how have you dealt with it?
Arias: I firmly believe that we are the masters of the ship when it comes to who we allow in our space online. You control the type of content you follow, the type of content you post and even who gets interacted with your content. Instagram makes it easy to flag keywords that you may find negative or harmful and I think that is a powerful tool for cultivating an environment you enjoy coming back to online. Personally, I feel that I have created a great community online who are always supportive and kind even during moments that I may share controversial content like the importance of social justice and equality or even recently sharing our start in ecollar training.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own dog influencer account or share their dog on social media?
Arias: Go for it! The dog community is so kind and welcoming, and you'll be surprised by the friends you make that you haven't even met in person yet but talk to every single day. I have a wonderful group of friends online that I truly consider my real-life friends now. I have also had great experiences working with brands, trying new products and exploring new places that I would not have known existed without social media. All of which benefit and enrich my pups' lives.
How has your dog influenced your life outside of social media?
Arias: My dogs are my babies and anyone who knows me online or in person knows that they are my entire personality sometimes. My routine revolves around them, my vacations are planned with them in mind, and my free time is spent thinking of ways to engage them in ways that bring joy to all of us. The biggest thing they've influenced is my overall health. Even when you aren't in the mood or the weather is dreary, they still need their walkies, so you've got to get out there. They make sure I meet (and usually exceed) my step goal and that I'm getting enough sleep to repeat it all the next day.
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?
Arias: The dogs are not always in the mood for my shenanigans or are confused by what I'm asking them to do. Recently I had a vision of a photo shoot for Valentine's Day where their heads would be poking through a wreath of candy hearts made of paper. I think I attempted that shoot 3 separate times. The first time I tried holding up the wreath, but Thor was scared of it and kept backing away. The second time I tried hanging the wreath from a fishing line and Wheat kept trying to bite the line. I don't know how I managed to get any cute photos from that shoot. By my third attempt, Thor straight up refused to sit up anymore despite luring him with treats. Another time I was taking the boys on a trail near a stream to showcase a dog tag we had just gotten. Wheat is known for jumping into any body of water without any concern for the depth or speed of the current. So as we were talking along the stream bank and looking for a way to walk down towards the water, Wheat just jumped in. Dog dad started emptying his pockets and kicking off his shoes ready to jump in with all his clothes on to rescue Wheat. We managed to pull Wheat out without getting ourselves soaked, but we ended up not doing the photos because he was absolutely so dirty that all the white on his body was now a murky yellow from the sand in the water.
What is your favorite thing about being a dog influencer?
Arias: My favorite thing is finding new places to explore with my furbabies. I follow a number of accounts in my area and afar that inspire me. We have a friend who lives 3 hours away, but her town throws a daffodil festival every year and this year we are planning to meet up and check out the daffodils which are one of my favorite flowers. I also saw another account post in a tulip field, so I looked up tulip fields in my area that might allow dogs since tulips are my most favorite flower. Those connections with online friends who become real friends that you eventually get to meet is just the most full circle experience.
Lastly, what's next for you and your dog on social media? Any exciting plans or projects in the works?
Arias: We are planning to rent a camper for the summer and do some road tripping with the dogs. We plan to drive through a couple of states and visit different national parks along the way. The last stop on that trip will hopefully be meeting up with Wheat's littermates. We have taken the dogs tent camping before but never on long-distance road trips so I am very excited for that.
