Wahl’s Next Pet Model 2025

Entry Guidelines

To enter and be eligible to win, here’s what you need to know:

Photo / Video Entry

TIER 1

Post 1 (one) clear photo or video of your dog as your official entry

Tag and follow @NextPetModel and @WahlANZ #nextpetmodel25

Describe the category in the caption

TIER 2

Post 1 (one) clear photo or video of your dog with a Wahl product as your official entry

Tag and follow @NextPetModel and @WahlANZ #nextpetmodel25

Describe the category in the caption

You'll be contacted via DM by our team and get 5 extra entry photos or videos, increasing your dog's chances to become the top dog

Eligibility

· Profile must be public

· If selected as a semi-finalist, you will be contacted by our team via DM between 20 and 27 October 2025, and you will be required to film content at home, with your dog, for the voting phase.

- You will receive a brief, and guidelines for the content.

- You will be required to share all footage with Carioca, for editing and publishing.

· Entrants must be Australian residents.

· You must be the legal owner of the dog and able to provide proof of ownership if requested.

· Your dog must be up to date with vaccinations and in good health.

· You must follow @NextPetModel and @WahlANZ

· Entries must feature your own dog — no commercial animals or third-party pets

 

Categories

1. Smooth Coat & Hairless Dogs

2. Double Coat

3. Long Hair

4. Wire / Textured

Product Use

If using a Wahl grooming product in your entry, it must be shown being used correctly and safely, following the instructions.

Usage Rights

By entering, you grant Wahl permission to use your photos and videos for promotional purposes during the campaign and for up to 18 months after. We will credit you or your dog’s social handle wherever possible.

 

 

Competition Timeline

 

PHASE	DATES
TEASER	15 - 21 September
PRE-LAUNCH	21 - 28 September
SEARCH	29 September - 5 October
SEARCH	6 - 12 October
SEARCH	13 - 19 October
SHORTLIST	20 - 26 October – semi finalists contacted
SHORTLIST	27 October - 2 November – semi finalists content creation
SHORTLIST	3 - 9 November
HEATS / VOTING - SMOOTH COAT	10 - 16 November
HEATS / VOTING - DOUBLE COAT	17 - 23 November
HEATS / VOTING - LONG HAIR	24 - 30 November
HEATS / VOTING - TEXTURED / WIRE	1 - 7 December
FINAL VOTING	8 - 13 December
GRAND FINALE	Sunday 14 Dec

 

Prizes

 

THE HOUSE OF FLOOF

 

4 x semi-finalists in each category (total 16) = Wahl package for their coat type

 

4 x finalists (1 in each category) = dog massage

 

 

1 x WINNER – The official Next Pet Model – valued at over $20,000

• An official WAHL Next Pet Model 2025 Certificate
• A professional photoshoot for the winning pet
• Feature on WAHL Pet Clipper packaging for 12 months
• A luxurious 3-day, 2-night pampered pooch weekend – details pending winner location
• Spotlights on WAHL social media channels and in PR articles
• A generous WAHL pet grooming product hamper
• Dogfluencer Academy – social media training and growth strategy for 12 months

 

DOGFLUENCER ACADEMY

By Carioca

Purpose

The Dogfluencer Academy is a 12-month mentorship for the Next Pet Model winner.

Our goal: transform them from “cute dog on Instagram” into a “professional content creator with brand partnerships and sustained growth.”

We dedicate 10-20 hours per month (split into sessions + on-demand support) to teach, coach, and connect them.

Monthly Structure (10-20 hours)

1. Strategy Session (2 hrs)

• Review previous month’s content performance
• Define growth goals (followers, engagement, reach, collabs)
• Align content themes with dog + human’s personalities

2. Creative Development (2 hrs)

• Workshop captions and tone of voice
• Plan 2–3 recurring content series (based on the dog and their human’s personalities, hobbies, location, etc)
• Identify trending formats to adapt (TikTok, Reels, memes)

3. Content Coaching (2 hrs)

• Technical tips: lighting, sound, framing, editing basics
• Demonstration with simple setups (iPhone + natural light)
• Quality checklist for every post (thumbnail, hook, CTA)

4. Inspiration & Benchmarking (2 hrs)

• Showcase global creators and campaigns that work (e.g. @tunameltsmyheart, @lokistagram, @thiswildidea)
• Break down why their content resonates
• Translate learnings into the winner’s unique angle

5. Brand Building & Partnerships (2 hrs)

• How to pitch to brands (intro email templates, media kit design)
• Understanding deliverables (post vs. story vs. reel)
• Pricing guidance: how to value a partnership
• Direct liaison to aligned brands (grooming, food, insurance, lifestyle)

6. On-demand Guidance

• Guidance and advice, liaising with partner brands as needed

 

 

Core Modules

1. Identity & Voice
   • Define dog + human personality archetypes
   • Build a consistent “character” fans recognise
2. Content Calendar
   • 8–12 posts/month with recurring themes
   • Balance of entertainment, education, and promotion
3. Production Quality
   • Shooting hacks for home content
   • Editing tools (CapCut, InShot, native TikTok editor)
   • Branded look: consistent fonts, colours, overlays
4. Audience Growth
   • Engagement tactics: polls, Q&A, duets, UGC challenges
   • Cross-platform strategy (IG, TikTok, YouTube Shorts)
   • Community building: replying in voice of the dog
5. Monetisation
   • Identifying sponsorship categories (grooming, food, toys, insurance, lifestyle brands)
   • Navigating affiliate marketing & discount codes
   • Building long-term ambassadorships

KPIs for Success

• Audience growth: % follower increase month-on-month
• Engagement: 5–8% ER on Reels/shorts
• Content output: 8–12 posts/month consistently
• Brand collabs: At least 1 new brand contact per quarter
• Monetisation: First sponsored deal within 3 months

Support & Resources

• Access to a library of reference content (global best practice dogfluencers + creators)
• Caption bank with examples in different tones
• Intro pack for brands (PDF template for winner’s media kit)
• Regular contact with Carioca team for feedback and direction

 

ABOUT CARIOCA

Carioca is an emerging creative house that transforms purposeful ideas into iconic cultural moments, blending social media, film, TV, and brand partnerships with world-class execution.

CONTACT: nextpetmodel@carioca.au