Borrow My Doggy... am I missing something?

[WestEnders]

I've only just found out about this and I've signed up, going to meet two pooches next week. I'm quite surprised this is a thing though? Am I missing something?

I'm not a professional dog walker I don't have insurance and I'm not hugely experienced with canines (so I'm obviously not selecting a big powerful rottweiler). I'm just a regular person who wants to enjoy my walks whilst being in the company of some lovely dogs, giving them some exercise too and hopefully helping people out in my area.

But although I know I'm a decent and trustworthy person the owners don't even know me. I've paid the premium of a tenner a year but that's just so I could message people and offer to help them. Is it really just strangers handing over their animals and hoping I'm not a nutcase? I wouldn't do this myself if I was the owner. They do realise I'm not professional don't they?!

you do have insurance via Borrowmydoggy
I have been a borrower and one owner took it very slowly, visited me at home, left doggy with me for a couple of hours then ramped it up etc but another just threw her house keys at me and expected lots of free dog sitting! There were quite a few more who were pretty irresponsible owners too IMO and I said I couldn’t help
i have a dog now and he stays with a lady when we go away that l met through a breed group on FB. I trust her but we took it veerrrryyyyy slowly.
If an owner doesn’t then they are likely to be piss takers

Yes, they know. I signed up once but everyone wanted to only give their dog to me Monday to Friday, 9-5 - looking for free dog sitting basically while they were at work.

I now have my own dog and cant think why I'd use it - perhaps if I was sick or broke my leg or something and couldn't afford to pay a professional?

In my experience only cheapskates, who don't want to pay a walker use BMD. I'd never use it.

The bit I find bonkers is anybody being expected to pay to look after a stranger’s dog. Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

The cinnamon trust may be better, they link dog walkers to the elderly/disabled, rather than those wanting free doggy daycare.

Borrowers get full insurance through borrow my doggy. “Professionals” ie people you pay through websites like Rover or random small business owners aren’t usually any more qualified than someone who just wants to spend time with your dog. In fact I had a horrible experience with a “5 star” paid dog sitter, as it was clearly a side hustle for them and they were hardly with the dog.

In contrast, people who love dogs but can’t have one of their own, are usually wonderful, responsible people who would only say yes to looking after your dog if they were genuinely willing and available that day (as opposed to just needing the extra money).

Additionally, borrow my doggy comes with lovely benefits of meeting like minded people in your community and helps you feel connected to your neighbourhood. Borrowers also usually just borrow one dog at a time, which is great for shy dogs or just dogs who don’t want to spend the day with a random group of dogs (ie most dogs).

We always have a little “doggy date” in the park with borrowers and they have all been brilliant! Our dog has a wonderful network of borrowers, who he LOVES, and they all get to feel like they have their own (very part time) dog.

I’ll sing the praises of borrow my doggy allllll day long 😃

I did it in lockdown as the 11 year old really want a dog and I thought ok good to do as exercise plus he had to pick up the poop if he really wanted one

It worked out well as it was mutually beneficial but we stopped after LD

I didn’t get the impression they were trying it on with free dog sitting though, probably would have put me off

I remember feeling similar as in wow they just let us take their dogs, but we were so careful - walking with lead to play in park close by. I reckon the dogs really liked us as they saw us later in another park and bounded over

Also we are very generous with wine and Xmas presents etc with our borrowers. “Free daycare” is such a cynical view - if I could find paid option that was as good as our borrowers, in terms of loveliness, reliability, happiness of dog etc - I would - but BMD is just better.

I paid to join then none of the dog owners ever followed through when I got in touch.

we now own our own dog and I like the concept of it although I would be too nervous too without meeting the volunteer first

It’s a bit like online dating, choose someone very near to where you live so it’s convenient for everyone and then set up a meeting in a park, you can usually tell in about 5 seconds whether someone is lovely. Ask normal questions about if they’ve had dogs before, why they signed up to borrow my doggy (eg some people want a doggy companion to take on walks, others are keen to have a doggy sleeping under their desk while they WFH). If meeting goes well then message to set up an intro walk/half day, if they like the dog then you can sort out what kind of arrangement you’d like. It might be adhoc weekend evening if you have a party to go to, or every second Wednesday or something. Or just walks when the borrower feels like it!

Large group day care doesn’t suit my dog anymore, he’s better as the only one, and one to one day care doesn’t exist! So BMD works better for us in that regard.

We got approached by lots of people but took the time to find the right person (joint walks etc first). He only goes there about once a month and I take what that would cost me in day care and give them a voucher of that amount as a gift for Christmas (and my dog’s birthday 😂).

They would love a dog but their lifestyle doesn’t suit it.

Do you have photos and write lots of detail about your expectations/experience? I didn’t respond to anyone with v little information as I couldn’t get a feel for who they were and what they wanted. When you’re entrusting people with your dog you need to feel it could be a good match.

I’ve just joined it - I’m very nervous but hopefully it will be ok. I’ll obviously want to meet the other person, get them used to our dog and vice versa, and will take it very very slowly. I have an idea in my head of the sort of person I’m looking for, just as I’m sure they have an idea of who they would like to link up with. Our dog has a professional dog walker and between us all he’s never short of walks or company, but on the odd occasion it would be nice to give him an additional walk or change of scenery.

A friend did BWD when she lived in a flat and couldnt have one on the lease. She looked after the same dog a few hours a week and she loved the social aspect of it at the park as well as all the cuddles.

She then brought a house, brought her own dog who she now sends to doggy daycare....

I spent 10 long years wanting a dog but being unable to have one due to work etc.

During that time, I'd have loved to borrow a dog - especially one I borrowed regularly enough to know well. It wasn't around then and I now have my own, but I'd have signed up for this in a heartbeat.

DD and her partner did this, they love dogs but at the time were living in a rented flat. There were about 3 different dogs they used to take out. One man even gave her the keys to his house and she used to go and dog sit round there.

Later on they started doing house sitting, they got to stay in various lovely areas and care for all different kinds of animals. Like free holidays to them! And the owners were very happy as well as they took care of the animals well and left the houses clean and tidy.

I don't think you're missing anything, I'm sure it brings lots of enjoyment to both dogs and walkers.

Like @Simonjt , I also recommend checking out The Cinnamon Trust - cinnamon.org.uk/ - you get paired with a dog belonging to an owner who finds themselves unable to take their pet for a proper walk. It means that the dog gets a walk and can keep their pet (often an immense source of company and affection in their life). I used to volunteer for them; it was lovely and made a genuine difference to the gentleman whose dog I walked.

Best wishes to you. x

I’m so torn on this idea. One one hand I really don’t understand how anyone could let a random person take their dog for a walk but I know that when I lose my elderly spaniel I won’t replace him but will really miss having a walking companion so it would be ideal for me.

It'd be a cold day in hell that I'd leave my rescue Staffy cross with anyone. She's my absolute life.

Most people are good people .

I've been on it years in addition to my own other animal small biz ( not my main role)

Made lots of friends & have some lovely dogs part time 😂

I think people do have an idea of what they’re after

Eg we wanted a fluffy cocker poo type dog and if I was looking I’d find a family a good bet, an 11 year old keenly wanting one but parents trying it out first isn’t far fetched

We were of course highly traceable - giving bank details. I’m sure there are others ways if you did have some idea about not just taking a dog for a walk

We’ve used Borrow My Doggy for nearly 2 years, as borrowers, and I did wonder about this too initially!
We’ve had a very good experience on it, and regularly look after a lovely Cavapoo (prob every 6 weeks or so), usually when his owners are away for the weekend.

It suits us and our 11 year old to have a very cute dog to look after regularly, without the responsibility and cost of actually owning one.

Literally everyone we have met on BMD has been absolutely lovely - usually mid 20s people who flatshare and can’t have pets or don’t have time for a full time dog, and we have some lovely family borrowers too which has helped our dog relax around kids, as we don’t have any.

I haven’t met anyone who has given weird vibes but obviously filter based on sensible sounding profiles as well. It’s really bought our shy dog out of his shell and he knows what days he is going to the regulars and will get very excited.

I completely agree with this. My DD did this in her gap year this past year. She met some lovely people who genuinely needed the help and, crucially, got to meet some adorable dogs! She also did assessments for them too. The Cinnamon Trust themselves are lovely to deal with. Highly recommend it.