Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Hoppinggreen · 29/09/2017 08:00

Oh, and about 80% of my messages were never replied to

SoupDragon · 29/09/2017 08:00

SE London...? I have a hyperactive cocker spaniel with no recall if you would like one :o

He's a nightmare and is on-lead at all times but looks utterly adorable.

SoupDragon · 29/09/2017 08:00

(In Croydon)

picklemepopcorn · 29/09/2017 08:02

I looked into it as I have a very irregular need for it. I am mainly here with my dog, but occasionally it would be nice to have a long day out. I'd like to build up a relationship with someone, as my dog is a bit of a personality!

I thought it was very expensive for potentially no suitable response though. I'd sign if it had a different pricing structure.

OldPony · 29/09/2017 08:05

I'm in Brighton and have been walking the same dog from Borrowmydoggy.com for over 3 years. No money changes hands and we love each other(the dog and I). I have him one day per week after work and a full day at the weekend. Occasionally over night too.

Me and the dog have a very strong bond and I really like his owners. I think of myself as a kindly aunt or godmother to the dog.

MiaowTheCat · 29/09/2017 08:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SquirrelPlantedBeech · 29/09/2017 08:10

Another who wants to encourage more Cinnamon Trust volunteer walkers.
Dog lovers please take a look at their very worthwhile work to help pets during their owner’s illness or after an owner dies.

www.cinnamon.org.uk/

NeonFlower · 29/09/2017 08:12

Someone at my work (who is your ideal trustworthy person) has signed up. She went to meet the owner and dog locally in the park a few times before arranging to take the dog on her own, and now does it regularly. She bought it lots of gifts too. I imagine they will now be friends for life, because she is that sort of lovely person.

Llamacorn · 29/09/2017 08:17

I'm disabled and sadly can't walk my dog anymore. I do pay a dog walker twice a week and my dad takes him once, but he's an active boy and I was looking for someone to come and take him for extra walks (he loves people!)
Loads of matches before I signed up, even names of people close to me and what days/times available. Thought it was fab, but I haven't had a single message! Although I do get emails every week saying 'Potential new borrowers in your area'.
Really frustrating as it would have been perfect in my situation.

GeorgeTheHamster · 29/09/2017 08:23

I did a nice profile and got loads of replies. I am someone's free dog walker one day a week. It has been going for a year and now we also have the dogs if they go away. We have got to know the dogs well and it is fab - a true win, win situation.

GeorgeTheHamster · 29/09/2017 08:23

Llama - are you messaging the potential walkers?

GeorgeTheHamster · 29/09/2017 08:26

When i say walker, I walk them and then take them home for the rest of day so they have company all day. They don't go home until the evening- after their people are home from work. That way my kids get to see them after school. So that's what I get for the free walking - a (very part time) dog for the kids.

ProfessorCat · 29/09/2017 08:46

Would cinnamon trust help me? I'm disabled and can't get out any more. My husband is here to walk the dog on the weekend but works long hours in the week.

chipscheeseandgravy · 29/09/2017 08:49

Try your local dogs trust or rspca etc. Ours are always looking for people to walk the dogs. (Normally in the large field out the back)

eyebrowseyebrows · 29/09/2017 08:52

I used to take two Labradoodles out every Friday. I went with their owner for the first three times and then alone. They're a couple in their 60's who have health problems that they didn't have when they took the dogs on so it just helps them out a little bit.

Lovely couple, I often stay and have coffee and a good chat with them after the walk.

eyebrowseyebrows · 29/09/2017 08:53

You need to message the 'premium' members though as the others haven't paid and won't be able to reply to your message.

pingu73 · 29/09/2017 08:56

Tbh I registered as someone looking for a carer and found borrow my doggy a pain and I seem to remember the subscription was expensive considering I only needed someone for one weekend. I have used petstay ...try them they will match you with owners on a one on one basis

wink1970 · 29/09/2017 08:58

I signed up to walk but all the dogs are those ridiculous handbag things labelled by their owners as 'fur babies' (god I hate that phrase), so I'm not interested. Also in Kent.

NotSuchASmugMarriedNow1 · 29/09/2017 08:59

Its a scam. No one uses it. I offered my services at dog walking for 50 pence an hour just to see and I still had no takers.

antimatter · 29/09/2017 08:59

I am between Croydon and Sutton if anyone wants to befriend my 6 yo JRT who can also only be walked on the lead. I don't mind if someone wants to have him only evening or after school or weekends. He loves company! I have cats too. He doesn't like high pitch noises so excitable small kids may not be suitable. He stayed in friends houses so is used to being away from home.

I may actually renew my membership. With lots of photos and thorough description.

thecatsthecats · 29/09/2017 09:00

Don't forget that a lot of the 'borrowers' are actually people with a low commitment to the idea of having a dog.

I don't want one - too much like hard work for me, and I've looked after tonnes of different pets. My boyfriend hasn't got a lot of pet experience, and couldn't even commit to going on a dog borrowing walk. He's now very glad that we got cats, because they're the level of pet he wants.

I suspect a lot of people are at the same level of commitment, and like the idea, but not really interested enough to do it.

pantrylightout · 29/09/2017 09:01

Cinnamon Trust is very good, they match you with people who are not able to walk their dogs.
My daughter did this for a while before she changed jobs. She met some lovely dogs and their owners,

washingmachinefastwash · 29/09/2017 09:03

I know someone who does use this. He would love a dog but works full time so walks the dog for them at the weekend and keeps the dog for the owners when they go away.

BillSaysDoYourJob · 29/09/2017 09:13

I'd love to do it (as a walker) but I don't want to pay £12.99 to message owners without at least trialling it to see if I like it first!

MiaowTheCat · 29/09/2017 09:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.