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AIBU?

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Original poster

Or does no one actually use "borrow my doggy"

121 replies

Goingslowlymad1 · 28/09/2017 23:13

That's it really - signed up as someone offering to walk/dog sit as I'm home during the days and fancied some canine company and the excuse to get out and have a walk.

Sent a few messages etc (am an experienced dog owner - just can't have one at this time) but zilch back... it's a scam isn't it Smile I was conned into a subscription by those lovely waggy tailed photos on Facebook ads

OP posts:
Ilovelblue · 28/09/2017 23:53

I signed up to the site when I finished work and keep getting lots of photos of dogs - it's a bit like a dating website for dogs. I didn't get as far as handing over any cash though because once I started thinking about it, I decided there were a lot of irresponsible dog owners out there. A few cases in point: the kids in the family had probably worn down the parents to have a dog but everyone was out at work or school all day. The advert would say the dog was only a few months old and needed walking weekdays, week nights and weekends. What is the point in having a dog if you are NEVER around to walk it.

I submitted an application form to the Cinnamon Trust last week and have just had it acknowledged. I get my first assignment in a couple of weeks apparently. At least you know you are helping out an elderly or disabled person this way who is unable to get out regularly.

keepondreaming · 28/09/2017 23:55

Cinnamon Trust all the way!

WelshPooch · 28/09/2017 23:58

My elderly mum has had a huge amount of help with her dog through the Cinnamon Trust. She had a fall and was unable to walk her dog. Contacted the Trust and ever since has had a lovely lady and her dh who come and walk him. When they are away, someone else from the Trust takes over. So very, very grateful, they have enabled dm to keep her companion.

Ilovelblue · 29/09/2017 00:02

Welsh what sort of arrangement is it? Daily, once a week or what?? Not entirely sure what to expect if I am honest.

PanannyPanoo · 29/09/2017 01:04

With the cinnamon trust you offer what you can. My friend has 4 walkers through the week. one of them also fosters and has offered to have the dogs overnight if necessary. They are an amazing charity. They have been wonderful.

antimatter · 29/09/2017 01:29

Shame you aren't near me, I am in SM.
I was a member(with my dog) but all those who contacted me were not experienced at all.
I have JRT. He loves company and is very easy going . But terriers can be a challenge for someone who never owned a dog.

IrritatedUser1960 · 29/09/2017 01:38

Nothing here either, I am desperate to walk someones dog to get fit (I have cats at home) but have been on this site for over a year and zilch interest.
What most of them want is for someone to look after their dog for free while they work fulltime rather than pay doggy daycare fees.
Makes me wonder why they got dogs.

WelshPooch · 29/09/2017 01:39

Ilovelblue - as far as I can remember, Mum was contacted directly by the volunteer, who said what she was able to provide in the way of help. One volunteer Mum had was only able to do half an hour a week, but turned up every week, same time come rain or shine. Another loves walking and terriers but is unable to have a dog of her own. She just rings Mum up and lets her know she's on her way round. The arrangements my mum has had seem to be just between her and the volunteers as to what suits them all.

Adarajames · 29/09/2017 01:48

Going I'm in SE London with a very socialable dog that would love an occasional other walker / minder

Or does no one actually use "borrow my doggy"
Soubriquet · 29/09/2017 07:02

I joined...but I can't message anyone or reply to any messages...because I'm not paying that extortionate fee!!

I have a dog that I want walking but no walker...

WhatwouldOliviaPopedo · 29/09/2017 07:05

We signed up as walkers (north London), have sent loads of messages and not had anything back. Agree with PP that lots of owners want weekday walks for their dogs whereas we want weekends. Not sure if it's a scam, but we definitely won't be renewing our subscription.

Callmegeoff · 29/09/2017 07:20

I signed up out of curiosity, I did have a message but I could only reply if I paid. I very quickly took my dog off the site.

I suspect this is why no one has replied to you.

What about volunteering at an animal shelter to walk their dogs?

missyB1 · 29/09/2017 07:23

I signed up my cute little schnauzer, only ever had one person interested and tonne fair he took her out a few times in the summer, but now the weather has changed he's not interested anymore!

BillyDaveysDaughter · 29/09/2017 07:30

I wish there was someone who could walk my little terrier on the days when we are not here - she's neurotic and aggressive, can't be around other dogs or be touched, has chronic pain and is very unlikely to let a stranger near her to get the harness on let alone leave the house. Professional dog walkers have tried and failed. But I'm near Portsmouth if anyone fancies a challenge. Grin

Picklesandpies · 29/09/2017 07:30

I joined as a walker. We've had someone's dog for the weekend. It was ok - my daughters enjoyed it and the dog was lovely. But then the lady asked me for two other dates and I couldn't do them so she seems to have stopped asking. Fair enough.

I tell you what did surprise me though was when I was contacted by someone who asked if I could look after their two dogs for THREE WEEKS in the summer holidays! Talk about taking the micky! Definitely lots of people just trying to avoid kennelling fees!

WhatwouldOliviaPopedo · 29/09/2017 07:32

I selected the option to only see dogs whose owners had paid the premium, thinking it was more likely they'd reply, and we still haven't had a single message back! Interestingly, I've just seen a friend of a friend has put their dog on the site - I'm going to send her a message, then will text her to see if it gets through... Hmm Will update here!

LazyDailyMailJournos · 29/09/2017 07:42

In theory it's a good idea but in practice there is no way I would let my two go off with a complete stranger. Have a look at local dog rescues near to you - and as PP have said, the Cinnamon Trust. Rescues especially are usually always looking for people to come and walk the dogs, play with them etc.

Dolwar · 29/09/2017 07:45

have you thought about asking your local dog rescue? They have dogs in kennels that need walking daily

thenewstateswoman · 29/09/2017 07:46

I'm on SE London too and my dog would love some more company - the elderly dog had to be PTS recently and despite a daily dog walker visiting I still find myself worrying about her during the day. Pm me if you would like to meet her and name and see if it would work out!

cdtaylornats · 29/09/2017 07:48

www.wagnwalk.net/
www.thehairybarkers.com/about-us.html

I see both these people about from time to time. In fact I see Wag'n'Walk every day because they park their van opposite before the young lady takes the pack for a walk.

sweetbitter · 29/09/2017 07:49

I'm in East London (quite central) and would love to walk a reasonably dog during the day sometimes. Ex dog owner and need to fill the doggy hole in my life! Also signed up for borrowmydoggy but didn't want to pay yet, and reading the OP I'm glad I didn't! PM me dog owners if you're interested.

BonnesVacances · 29/09/2017 07:51

I signed up DD who is home alone all day with CFS/ME and loves dogs. I offered cuddles and company but I've heard nothing. I assumed it was because I'd said that walking wouldn't be possible. It's disappointing as it was a really good solution to her loneliness during the day and we were excited when we thought of it. But it came to nothing.

Theducksarenotmyfriends · 29/09/2017 07:53

I'm near Plymouth Vivienne, what kind of dog have you got? Grin

CobwebKitten · 29/09/2017 07:59

It depends on your local area. In some areas it's really popular. In mine, no one uses it probably because about 70% of my town don't want to use the internet (if they're anything like my parents they blather on about Facebook being 'a sex thing' that 'causes divorce' and Twitter being 'where terrorists are' and email is 'for sex photos'. Good ol' DM readers) so, yeah, no users.

Hoppinggreen · 29/09/2017 07:59

I used to borrow a doggy before we got ours and it worked fine but there were some absolute piss takers on the site
Agree that most people wanted daytime care/walks while they were at work rather than evenings and weekends though