BorrowMyDoggy

[AmIReallyThough]

Morning! Have any of you used this at all? We’ve met a lovely couple who’d like to borrow our dog each week while we work. We don’t ‘need’ them as such as wouldn’t be leaving him at home alone and have other arrangements but they have a pup too and it would be lovely actually to break the week up for him too.

So what’s the etiquette money-wise? Do we need to offer something? She’d be coming to collect him from us and we’d pick him up in the evening. All very awkward discussing money! Thank you!

Not for me. Too many potential "issues"involved.

Have you meet the couple through Borrowmydoggy? Does the organisation explain what is involved?

My dd did this and borrowed someone's dog (away from home and missing our dog) but it was quite badly behaved and actually bit her quite badly and damaged her jacket coming back from one walk as it wouldn't go on the lead. Anyway, being a polite girl she minimised this to the owners but did tell them, and they said the dog had done that before with other people who borrowed him! Really so dangerous. There is no insurance of course, only an introduction and I think the idea is that no money exchanges hands because it's mutually beneficial. If your dog has any potential to do this, I would make sure you have several supervised walks with you there first and be very sure that there can be no come back on you. It's a great idea, but you need to be really careful.

The idea is that you do it for free. So discussing money shouldn't be an issue.

It's not for me, however. The people you "lend" your dog to could be anyone. How do you know how they'll treat your dog? Do they know anything about dog behaviour or handling? What if your dog and theirs don't get on and there's a fight - who will pay for vet bills? What if your dog escapes or runs off or bolts?

As you're willing to pay, wouldn't you be better off leaving your dog with a walker, or a sitter, or someone who cares for dogs for a living? That way, they'll be insured and experienced and will have policies in place if something goes wrong.

I wouldn't do it personally. Sounds like an easy way for dog thieves to nick dogs. Even if they do have innocent intentions, there is no guarantee that they will care for the dog adequately or safely. What if they let it off the lead right near a road? Or aren't careful in keeping doors shut and it gets out? Or they believe that beating it when it misbehaves is ok?

I wouldn’t let any strangers take the most precious thing in my life for a walk, Jesus, they could let it off the lead, not take care of its welfare etc and my dog would be traumatised if she was handed over to strangers.

If you are considering offering them money I don't understand why you wouldn't employ a dog walker rather than a stranger. At least a professional has a reputation they want to maintain in regards to your dogs welfare.

Wouldn't be for me unless I knew them well. Even if it's something like giving too many treats, encouraging bad behaviour, fleas etc. Doesn't even bare thinking about if the dog got off lead.

I wouldn’t let any strangers take the most precious thing in my life for a walk

Completely this. I have always found the concept utterly bizarre.

I thought it was free as it was mutually beneficial?

No way would I let some random stranger take my very valuable dog out! I pay for an experienced and insured dog walker

Hi there @AmIReallyThough

I love dogs so I’m on BorrowmyDoggy as a ‘borrower’ I’ve borrowed several dogs and have only been out of commission since the pandemic hit.
There is absolutely no money involved, those of us on there do it because we love the animals. Owners give me everything the dogs need - food, ‘clothing, toys, doggy bags so I don’t spend anything out of pocket plus we are insured via the platform.
I think it’s a win-win for both sides, but as with all things if your intuition has bells ringing, listen.

I use borrowmydoggy and a wonderful lady - who doesn't want the full time responsibility and cost of a dog - looks after rookiedog in our house when we go on holiday.

Obviously we built up gradually to this, but it's a win win for both of us. Especially as she is back living with her parents now and gets our pad to herself when she's here.

It's cheaper than him staying with dog walker - but by the time I've bought her a present and some food/drink for when she's staying - not hugely so.

I guess either you're a trusting person or not. It's a bit like online dating and I sifted out anyone who I thought it wouldn't work with.

I have used the site as I love dogs but live in a flat with a shy cat, so having a dog myself is out of the question. Met up with two potential doggy friends and their owners. First one was not well behaved and we didn’t “click”. Second one was a lab we fell in love with. On top of that we have become very friendly with the dogs family, who are lovely! We only walk the lab when we fancy a long walk somewhere etc, the owners have dodgy care sorted, they just like the dog socialising with other people and like to have the weekends free at times when they can go away from home for the day and not worry about the dog/walks etc. No money has been exchanged, they occasionally bake some cakes etc, but likewise I do the same for them!

Thanks very much to those of you who have used it and shared your experiences. Fab to hear how it worked for you!

We recently lost our lovely dog aged 15. We weren't ready to get another but really wanted some dog time we now have two gorgeous dogs we walk a couple of times a week each. We made sure that we had walks with the owners to make sure they were at ease with us also Borrow My Doggy verify us as walkers. As a dog borrower we get to choose when we would like to do this but it was a paid arrangement the dynamic would change. It's a lovely thing 😍

@Unicornbaker I think borrowmydoggy works best when there is no obligation. I have heard horror stores about people expected to look after dogs for most of the week for free.

We pay for a dog walker, so anything rookiedog gets is above and beyond that and we could use dog walker for holidays as well.

Exactly! We are actually seeing the family and their dog today, first time since lockdown and so excited! The family also know the dog loves spending time with us as she gets exited by hearing our car pull up! Win win all around!

We used to borrow a dog through this website. We took really good care of him, probably better than his owner to be honest.
However we had to stop when the owner started getting unreasonable about how often we had him, she really needed a daily walker.
It can work but you should take it very slowly and only do what you are comfortable with

I borrow a lovely dog, a few times a week. I've been really lucky but also quite careful. I chose dogs local to me and arranged to go and meet them and their owner a few times, before I took them out. Or I went for a walk with the dog and their owner, to get to know them - they're usual routes, usual commands, likes and dislikes e.t.c