Have applied to be a volunteer dog walker at our local refuge!

[NunTheWiser]

Am very excited! There's an induction course at the beginning of September and all being well I'll start after that.
It didn't occur to me that the refuge might need people to take the dogs out until I saw someone walking along the road with a volunteer badge. I went along yesterday and it is full to bursting with dogs. They have a "no kill" policy so being full means they're turning away many dogs every week. The dog walking is part of ongoing training for their dogs to be great pets which increases the likelihood of adoption, freeing up a spot for the next dog.
If you'd like to help a rescue dog but can't give one a home right now, have a think about whether you could spare an hour a week to take one for a walk.
DH is about how long it will be before a walked dog becomes UnWiseDog2

[coccyx]

thats brilliant. have fun

[chickchickchicken]

well done. have to say i think dh may have a point

[Scuttlebutter]

Agree entirely with DH

Well done on doing this though - a much needed service.

[bumpybecky]

well done you :):)

I had my induction this time last week at our local animal rescue and I've been twice over the last week to walk dogs :) I'm planning to go three times next week as it'll be the last time until after the school holidays. It's great fun though :)

[wildfig]

Well done that's such a kind and helpful thing to do.

[2T2T]

when I went in to a Dog's Trust Rescue to volunteer they looked at me as if i was a twat - put me off! But I would love to do it - goodl uck

[Jaynerae]

I would live to do this, DH works shifts so DC's are with me most of the time, so can you take your DC's with you on your walk?, can you take your own dogs with you as well? I was assuming this would help with knowing how rescue dog reacts with children and other pooches, but there maybe some reason I haven't thought about that you can't?

Any rescue people advise please?

[bumpybecky]

At the rescue I walk for you can't take the children as well. All volunteers have to go through an induction (takes a couple of hours) and must be 16 or over. You wouldn't be able to walk your dog at the same time, most of the dogs are much more challenging than pet dogs you see walking in the park.

Before this I was used to walking our lab collie x (who admittedly had got very elderly and slow) but even as a puppy when she pulled, she was nowhere near as strong as some of the dogs I've walked at the rescue, and I've only taken the easier dogs out so far!

Some of the dogs have never really been trained, so have no manners on the lead and try and pull all over the place. Other dogs are very stressed by being in kennels and are nervous and / or aggressive. You need to be paying full attention to the dog you're walking, so taking other distractions like your dog or children is not going to work (IMHO anyway).

There are dogs in rescue who are lovely on the lead, walk beautifully and are very polite. But they tend to be re-homed faster and are in the minority.

Having said all of that though, contact your local rescue and ask :) it might be different at other centres.

[2T2T]

U can't usually take children

[Jaynerae]

Thanks for that- makes sense, will have to put that particular wish on hold until DC's are older then.

[NunTheWiser]

I'm volunteering on the days all DC are at school and a weekend slot when DH is around for the children. The rescue centre don't allow you to bring your own dogs or children. TBH, I think it would too much to manage a dog I don't know and the DC.