Borrow my doggy?

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chaps89

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Has anyone used the site before? Either as an owner or borrower?
Working full time means I can't have a dog of my own but I do miss having canine company at times. I'm training for a 100km walk in July so am out at the weekends walking, and running in the week so thought it seems like a good option perhaps.
(Although it does make me sad seeing a)how many fat dogs there are! and b) how many young puppies there are where the owner is already struggling for time with them)
Curious if anyone has any feedback that's all and things to discuss with the owner if I do look at 'borrowing' a dog :)
 
I looked into it but never did it, no particular reason for that just never got round to it. FWIW I thought it looked like a good idea. I guess you'd want to at least find out if the dog has good recall or needs to be kept on the lead, if its good with other dogs/people or if it needs a muzzle.

There's also the Cinnamon Trust you could consider. Its a volunteer dog walking charity for the elderly and infirm who can't exercise their own pets.
 
My daughter uses it regularly. She has a 2 year old Vizla, he's energetic but well trained. She lives in a university town and has a couple of students who have big dogs at home and just really miss being out and about with them. it works really well. George gets lovely long walks and one to one attention. She does vet them very carefully though as they have access to the house as well as care of the "beloved George".
 
oldie48 said:
My daughter uses it regularly. She has a 2 year old Vizla, he's energetic but well trained. She lives in a university town and has a couple of students who have big dogs at home and just really miss being out and about with them. it works really well. George gets lovely long walks and one to one attention. She does vet them very carefully though as they have access to the house as well as care of the "beloved George".
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That was my worry when I registered, I never got any further...
 
Sorry i should have added that daughter asks the volunteer over for a cup of tea to meet George, then they do a couple of walks together and she shows how she handles the dog and watches while volunteer handles dog both on and off lead. She is very lucky as she has beaches to walk on for miles as well as good woodland tracks. George has excellent recall, in fact, he keeps an eye on his human all the time and loves to play fetch with a ball wanger (that's what I call it), he's also very good with other dogs. I don't find him good on the lead as he can pull but off lead he's a dream to walk. He's also used to being walked by lots of different people and goes to doggy day care when daughter is doing really long shifts and OH is also busy, so I guess he's an excellent candidate. Worth looking into.
 
My daughter has used it a few times, borrowing a dog for a weekend.
I am sure it can work well, both for borrowers and owners, but personally I have deep reservations and would never be happy with the situation myself for many reasons.
 
Sprout said:
My daughter has used it a few times, borrowing a dog for a weekend.
I am sure it can work well, both for borrowers and owners, but personally I have deep reservations and would never be happy with the situation myself for many reasons.
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TBH I share your reservations, I'm not sure I'd want anyone to walk Stanley except my OH and I get cross with him for not doing it the same as me (I've hidden the extendable lead) but it does fulfil a need for the owner, the borrower and the dog. I'm lucky to be retired and at home all day but others aren't so fortunate.
 
I can see in theory it being a good idea but in practice I wouldnt do this. I would trust my dog with a well vetted person but its everyone else and their dogs I dont trust and I know I would risk life and limb to protect my dog if required but I wouldnt ever trust someone else not to do the same so no, wouldnt do it.
 
I registered ages ago when I first moved, but decided that actually I wasn't sure I wanted the responsibility of someone else's dog (belonging to someone I barely knew) and how much I would be liable if something went wrong.
 
I have walked a dog through this for over a year now. I walk him on a Wed lunchtime while the owners are at work. I met them a few times first and provided ID. We have become really good friends and even spent time over xmas together. Sometimes we all walk the dog together on a Sunday morning which is nice a/to get to know each better and b/its really fun for the dog. I have had him to stay for weekends while they were away and sometimes I just pop in to let him out if I know they are out for a long period. I get my doggy fix, he is a super dog who loves to walk for miles which encourages me to get some good exercise and they have someone locally who cares about their dog. Win / win for us but I do agree things like this have to be approached with caution. It takes a lot of trust to let someone in your house and take out something so precious.

I am hoping to get another dog myself at some point, its not the right time at the moment. Even when I do I will still walk my Borrow my Doggy dog because I am very fond of him and his family and its been a great success for us.
 
My dogs are my two most important and loved “possessions”. Having lost my terrier a few years ago through theft, I just could not let a stranger know my whereabouts and how to access my dogs. I can see why it would work for people wanting to walk dogs, but as an owner I think you have to be incredibly trusting to enter into the scheme.
 
My daughter did. And the owner was only too pleased as he was unable to walk the dog himself. He was convalescent and just out of hospital. Like sharing a horse (which I have done) there has to be a benefit on both sides. In her case my daughter loved walking the borrowed dog so much that she eventually bought one of the same breed for herself. And stopped borrowing.
Now we are the one's who borrow and walk her puppy once a week. Modern dogs that belong to working women may well get used to walking with several people - family members and trainers and dog walkers. All set up so the dog gets out every day.
 
Thanks all, think I'm going to give it a go - I'm happy to let owner know we're back safe and to provide ID and go out with them a few times too, so hopefully can find a nice friendly doggy to take walking with me soon :) And if not, nothing lost I suppose!
 
Good luck chaps89 :) I thought I would never, ever trust anyone with my beloved greyhound gang, but about 3 years ago I found someone who lets them out every lunchtime for me and loves them as I do - she is worth her weight in gold, I'm sure you will be the same :)
 
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