If you've ever looked at your dog doing something completely ridiculous and thought, I wish I could remember this forever, you're not alone.
Dogs have a way of filling everyday life with moments that are worth capturing. The funny things they do when nobody is watching, their strange little habits, the first time they experience something new, the way they sleep in completely impossible positions and all the tiny moments that probably don't seem particularly important at the time, but become the things you remember most.
Creating content with your dog can be a lovely way to document those moments.
It doesn't have to be about becoming an influencer, growing a huge following or turning your dog's life into a business. It can simply be about taking more photographs, filming the funny moments, making silly videos and having something to look back on as your dog grows.
You might create an Instagram account to share their adventures with friends and family. You might start posting on TikTok because you enjoy making funny videos. You might find a community of other dog owners who enjoy following along. Or, over time, your account might grow into something more, with gifted products, affiliate codes, UGC work or paid partnerships becoming opportunities along the way.
There is no right reason to start and no particular way you have to do it.
The most important part is having fun with your dog and enjoying the memories you're creating together.
Why document your dog's life?
Dogs grow up quickly, particularly when you bring home a puppy. One minute you're taking photographs of tiny paws and a sleepy face, and before you know it, they're bigger, more confident and developing a personality all of their own.
That is one of the best things about having somewhere to document their life.
You can capture their first days at home, first walks, first adventures, favourite toys, funny habits and all the little things that make them who they are. As the years go on, you'll have a collection of memories showing not just how your dog looked, but what they were like.
Those memories become even more special as time passes.
Social media can simply be the place where you keep and share some of them.
You don't even have to post everything. Take the photograph because you want it. Film the video because it made you laugh. Save it in your camera roll if you don't want to share it.
Start with what makes your dog special
The easiest content to create is usually already happening around you.
Every dog has their own personality, habits and little quirks. Some are incredibly dramatic, some are obsessed with food, some steal anything they can find, while others seem to spend half their lives asleep.
Those everyday characteristics can become the personality of your content.
You don't need to invent a character or make your dog behave differently for the camera. In fact, the more natural your content feels, the more enjoyable it tends to be.
You don't need expensive equipment
A phone is more than enough to get started.
You don't need a professional camera, expensive lighting or a room designed for filming. Most of the content you'll want to capture is happening spontaneously anyway, which makes your phone the perfect tool.
Natural light is usually your friend, particularly for photographs and videos indoors. Getting down to your dog's eye level can also make footage feel much more personal, while filming vertically is generally the easiest option if you're creating content for Reels and TikTok.
Most importantly, don't worry about everything looking perfect.
Your dog probably isn't going to cooperate with your carefully planned shot anyway.
Make the ordinary moments interesting
You don't need to take your dog somewhere exciting every time you want to create content.
Some of the most relatable dog videos are about things that happen every day.
You could film a normal day from your dog's perspective, document what happens during a walk or simply capture one funny thing they did that afternoon.
The trick is to start looking at ordinary moments differently.
Instead of thinking, there's nothing to film today, ask yourself what your dog is actually doing.
You might find that there is more content around you than you realised.
Have fun making funny videos
Funny dog content doesn't need complicated editing or a big idea.
Sometimes a few seconds of footage and the right caption is enough.
A dog staring at the fridge could become a joke about waiting for dinner. A puppy running around the house could become a video about having too much energy. A dog refusing to get out of bed could become a commentary on Monday mornings.
Text overlays are particularly useful because they let you give your dog an imaginary voice without having to film yourself speaking.
Try writing as though your dog is talking. What would they say about the situation? What would they think is happening? What would they complain about?
The more you do this, the easier it becomes to develop your own style of humour.
Take inspiration from trends
There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking inspiration from other creators or joining in with something that is already trending.
Social media trends can be a great source of ideas, particularly when you're not sure what to film. A popular sound, format or joke might give you the starting point for a video you would never have thought of yourself.
The key is to make it work for your dog.
If a sound is trending and it perfectly describes their personality, use it. If you've seen a format that would be funny with your dog, give it your own spin. If another creator has inspired an idea, think about how you could make it relevant to your own experiences.
At the same time, you don't have to follow trends at all.
Some of the best ideas come from completely unexpected places. You might notice your dog doing something strange and turn it into a running joke. You might create your own series or come up with a completely different way of filming an everyday moment.
Try both.
Take inspiration from what's already working, but don't be afraid to go completely out of the box. Experiment with different ideas and see what you enjoy making and what people respond to.
There are no rules saying your dog's account has to look like anyone else's.
Try different types of content
One of the easiest ways to keep creating content without getting bored is to mix things up.
Funny videos can sit alongside photographs, puppy updates, day-in-the-life content, training progress, walks, adventures and quieter moments.
You could document a trip to the beach one day and post a completely ridiculous video of your dog chasing their own tail the next.
You might share a beautiful photograph from a walk followed by a funny Reel about what actually happened behind the scenes.
This variety keeps your account feeling like a genuine record of life with your dog rather than a collection of advertisements or carefully planned posts.
Capture the milestones
If you have a puppy, make the most of the first year.
There are so many little milestones that happen in such a short space of time, and it can be easy to forget them once they're gone.
Take photographs of their first day at home, first night, first walk, first trip somewhere new, first time meeting another dog, first grooming appointment, first birthday and first Christmas.
Document their changing size and personality too.
You could take a photograph every month from the same spot, film regular updates or simply keep a folder of your favourite moments.
You don't need to share every milestone online. Some can be just for you.
Create a digital scrapbook
One way to think about your dog's social media account is as a digital scrapbook.
Instead of worrying about whether every post is going to perform well, think about whether it tells part of your dog's story.
A photograph from a walk might not go viral, but it still records where you went that day. A video of your puppy learning a new trick might only be watched by a few people, but years later you'll be glad you filmed it.
You can also keep your favourite photographs and videos separately, so that you're not relying on social media as the only place they exist.
Back up important photographs and videos and consider creating albums for different stages of your dog's life.
Instagram, TikTok and Facebook each offer something different
You don't need to choose one platform and stick to it. Instagram, TikTok and Facebook are all great places to share your dog's life, but each has its own style and audience, so it's worth exploring them and seeing where you enjoy creating content most.
Instagram is a great place to build a visual diary of your dog's life. You can share photographs, funny videos, Reels, Stories, milestones, adventures and all the little moments that make up life with your dog.
It's particularly suited to showing your dog's personality through a mixture of polished photographs and more spontaneous everyday content. Reels can help introduce your dog to people who don't already follow you, while Stories are ideal for sharing the smaller moments that happen throughout the day.
Over time, your Instagram account can become a lovely collection of your dog's life, from puppyhood through to all the adventures that follow.
TikTok
TikTok is a brilliant platform for having fun and experimenting with video.
Funny dog behaviour, relatable moments, trending sounds, challenges, storytelling, text overlays and completely random ideas can all become content. You don't need to have everything planned or perfectly filmed either. Some of the most entertaining dog videos are simply moments that have been captured as they happen.
TikTok is also a great place to experiment with different ideas and discover what people enjoy watching. Don't be afraid to try something a little different or put your own spin on a trend.
Facebook can be a great place to share your dog's life with friends, family and a wider community of dog lovers.
Photographs, videos, funny stories, updates and adventures can all work well, particularly when you have a little more to say about what you've been up to.
It's also a useful place to connect with other dog owners through groups and communities, share experiences and discover new ideas.
You don't have to choose
There is no reason your dog can't have a presence across all three platforms if that's something you enjoy.
You might find that you naturally prefer one platform, or you might enjoy using each for different reasons. The important thing is not to feel pressured to be everywhere or to follow a strict formula.
Try different platforms, experiment with different types of content and see what feels natural.
Ultimately, social media should be another way to have fun with your dog, share their personality and document the memories you're making together.
Don't feel like you have to post every day
Consistency can be useful if you're trying to grow an account, but that doesn't mean you need to turn your dog's life into a content schedule.
Some weeks you'll have loads of ideas and plenty of videos ready to post. Other weeks you'll be busy enjoying life and won't think about social media at all.
That's perfectly fine.
The account should fit around your life with your dog, not the other way around.
And sometimes, the best thing you can do is put the phone away altogether.
Go for the walk without worrying about filming it. Sit on the sofa and enjoy the cuddle. Play in the garden. Take your dog somewhere new and experience it together.
Not every moment needs to become content.
Find what works for you
There isn't one formula for successful dog content.
Some accounts grow through funny videos, others through beautiful photography, storytelling, training, adventures or simply documenting everyday life.
Try different things and see what happens.
You might discover that people love your dog's dramatic reactions but aren't particularly interested in posed photographs. You might find that your audience enjoys your longer stories or that a particular type of Reel consistently gets shared.
Use that information as inspiration rather than a strict rule.
If something works, try developing the idea further. If something doesn't, move on.
The important thing is to find a balance between creating things people enjoy and creating things you genuinely enjoy making.
Don't compare your account to everyone else's
It is very easy to look at another dog account and think they've figured everything out.
They might have beautiful photographs, thousands of followers and brands sending them products every week.
Remember that you're seeing the finished version of their journey.
Every account started with one photograph, one video and very few people watching.
Your dog doesn't need to compete with anyone else's.
Their personality, your experiences and your relationship are completely unique, which means your content can be too.
Take inspiration from other creators, learn from what they do and enjoy discovering new ideas, but don't feel like your account needs to become a copy of theirs.
What if your account starts growing?
This is where creating content for fun can potentially become something more.
You might start with your friends and family following along, then gradually find other dog owners who enjoy your videos. As your audience grows, you may start receiving comments from people who recognise your dog, ask questions about products you use or simply look forward to seeing what they're doing next.
At that point, you might find that brands start taking notice too.
There isn't a particular follower number that suddenly makes someone a dog influencer. Brands can look at the quality of your content, engagement, audience, personality and whether your account is a good fit for what they're trying to promote.
That means there is value in learning how to create good content from the very beginning, even if you have no intention of working with brands.
Gifted products and brand collaborations
One of the potential benefits of building a dog-focused account is that brands may eventually approach you.
You could be offered a product to try, invited to work on a campaign or asked to create content featuring a particular product.
Gifted products might include dog accessories, toys, grooming products, beds, treats or other things that naturally fit into your dog's life.
If this happens, remember that you don't have to accept everything.
Choose products that genuinely make sense for you and your dog. If something isn't suitable, politely saying no is better than accepting something you'll never use.
Your audience is there because they enjoy your content and trust your recommendations, so protecting that trust matters.
Affiliate codes and links
Another potential opportunity is affiliate marketing.
A brand may give you a personalised discount code or link, and you may receive a commission if someone purchases through it.
This can work particularly naturally for dog accounts because people often ask where a particular collar, lead, toy or accessory came from.
If you're already recommending something you genuinely use, an affiliate link can give your followers an easy way to find it while allowing you to earn a small commission from resulting sales.
However, affiliate content is advertising and needs to be clearly disclosed. Current ASA guidance says social posts containing affiliate links or codes should be obviously identifiable as advertising upfront.
UGC: creating content for brands
You may also come across the term UGC, which stands for user-generated content.
In the creator world, UGC can mean creating photographs or videos for a brand to use in its own marketing rather than simply posting them to your own audience.
For example, a dog brand might ask you to create several short videos showing your dog using one of its products. The brand could then use that content on its website, social media or advertising.
You don't necessarily need a huge following to create UGC. The focus is much more on your ability to create natural, engaging content.
If you already enjoy filming your dog, experimenting with different ideas and editing short videos, you may find that UGC is something you'd enjoy exploring later.
Paid partnerships
For some creators, a dog account can eventually become a source of income through paid partnerships.
This could involve a brand paying you to create a Reel, TikTok, photograph, series of posts or UGC content.
There is no guaranteed follower count at which this happens. Some brands may prioritise reach, while others may be more interested in engagement, content quality or whether your audience is a good fit for their products.
That's another reason not to focus entirely on follower numbers.
A smaller account with a genuine, engaged audience and excellent content can still be valuable to a brand.
Be transparent when content becomes commercial
If you eventually receive payment, products, commissions or another incentive in connection with promoting a brand, make sure you understand the disclosure requirements.
UK guidance applies regardless of how large your following is. The CMA says incentives can include payment, commission, discounts and gifts, and commercial content needs to be clearly identifiable as advertising.
The ASA currently recommends clear, prominent disclosure, with "Ad" being a straightforward option. Labels such as simply "gifted", "affiliate" or "collab" may not be clear enough on their own.
This doesn't mean you need to be nervous about working with brands. It simply means being honest with your audience about when there is a commercial relationship.
If you ever reach that stage, check the latest ASA and CMA guidance as the rules and platform requirements can change.
Keep your dog's wellbeing at the centre
Creating content should never come before your dog's wellbeing.
If your dog is tired, stressed or uncomfortable, put the camera away. Don't make them repeat something they don't enjoy just because it made a popular video, and don't put them into situations that could be frightening or overwhelming simply to get a good shot.
Some of the best content happens when your dog is naturally happy and relaxed.
Film the zoomies because they're having fun. Capture the muddy face after a great walk. Take the photograph when they're curled up asleep beside you.
But remember that your dog doesn't know what a Reel is.
They don't care how many people watched it.
They care about going for their walk, playing with you, having a treat and being part of your life.
Have fun with it
The biggest mistake you can make is turning something that started as fun into something you feel pressured to do.
You don't have to chase every trend. You don't have to post every day. You don't have to make every video perfect.
Take inspiration from other creators when you want to, but experiment with your own ideas too. Make the silly video. Try the strange editing idea. Create a running joke. Film the completely ordinary moment that made you laugh.
Some videos might get hundreds of views.
Some might get thousands.
Some might barely be seen.
It doesn't mean they weren't worth making.
Because you're not only creating content for the people who follow your dog.
You're creating a record of their life.
Make memories, not just content
Years from now, you probably won't remember how many likes a photograph received.
You'll remember your dog.
You'll remember how tiny they were when they first came home. You'll remember their favourite toy, the strange things they used to do, their first adventures and the little habits that eventually became part of your everyday life.
You'll have photographs of the moments you might otherwise have forgotten and videos where you can still hear their little noises, see their expressions and watch their personality come through.
That is the real value of documenting life with your dog.
Maybe the account stays small and becomes a private little collection of memories shared with people you know.
Maybe it grows into a community of thousands of dog lovers.
Maybe brands eventually send products for your dog to try.
Maybe you earn through affiliate links.
Maybe you create UGC.
Maybe you end up working with brands you genuinely love.
Maybe, one day, your dog's account becomes a little business of its own.
Whatever happens, let that come second.
Start with the memories.
Start with the funny videos.
Start with the adventures.
Start because you enjoy making something that celebrates your dog and the life you share together.
Take inspiration from what's trending, or ignore it completely and do something nobody else is doing.
There really is no right way to create content with your dog.
Film the silly moments.
Document the firsts.
Take far too many photographs.
Have a laugh.
Save the memories.
And enjoy the dog behind the content, because that's the part you'll always care about most.
