How can I ask my neighbour if I can walk their dog?

[kistanbul]

Basically, I’d like to walk my neighbours dog, but I’m not sure how to ask without sounding weird or making them uncomfortable. It’s a standard poodle cross so I assume it would like the extra exercise.

They’ve fed our cat for us and we’re friendly, but not friends IYSWIM

I miss having a dog but I’m not in a position to get one now - mainly because the cat couldnt cope.

If your neighbour knocked and asked to take your dog for a walk, what would you think? Is there a right way to phrase it?

You could ask, but like others upthread I'm afraid I would say no.

There is no way I would let him go out on a walk with a complete stranger.

I think if you make it in terms of an offer rather than a request it would be much more likely to have the outcone you wish and sound less weird..

'If you ever need anyone to walk your dog, I'm very happy to help' sounds much better than
'Please, please, please give me your dog, I'm taking it for a walk'.

If you’re my neighbour please just knock on my door provided dog is generally well behaved I’m sure they’ll be delighted.

🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻Please be my neighbour 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

I would 100% offer, they can only say no but if the dog is good, you'd defo be helping them out. I'm recuperating after an op and my lovely, lovely neighbour is walking dpup almost every day. Her and her dc love it, puppy loves it and it's saving me an absolute fortune in dog walking charges.

It works well for us as they get the pleasure of a pup without having one and I know if I'm ever stuck, they know him well enough to help out.

Win win

I think it's a lovely idea but I would refuse if my neighbours offered. Partly because he pulls on the lead, partly because our previous dog got off her lead and was killed which has made me ever so anxious with regards to anybody other than myself and DH walking him and partly because of the rise in dog thefts!

I would thank the neighbours for offering though and suggest they could come for a walk with us one time once restrictions have lifted

Naa you cant walk my dogs that is the best bit of the day but if you have any free time you can do my ironing?

Our neighbour asked us whether should could walk ours in lockdown so it motivated her to get out and about. Our dog is good on a lead and our neighbours used to own dogs, so we happily agreed. They have a really good relationship now and the dog gets an extra walk a day. A win for all of us!

If your neighbour knocked and asked to take your dog for a walk, what would you think? Is there a right way to phrase it?
I would decline personally.

My dog isn’t very comfortable around other dogs, but even if she was, absolutely not!

• The risk of theft.
• I don’t properly know them.
• what if another dog attacks her
• will they let her off lead
• if they do will she come back or get lost
• what if she has an accident
• what if they overexercise her and hurt her (she’s getting on a bit now)

Our local Dog Rescue have a group of volunteers that do this on a regular basis.

Hey, I was wondering if I can tape a note to my neighbors door asking then to walk their dog in the note I put my name phone and address and that I’m in 8th grade and it will be just 10 dollars per hour , is that legal? I lived in US pennsylvania

I too would say just ask, although don't be hurt if they say no, I wouldn't have allowed it with any of mine although i wouldn't have minded being asked. One thing to consider is whether the owner has got third party insurance and whether it would cover you.

You know that phrase, no good deed goes unpunished? I felt it keenly today. I offered to take next door's dog for a walk once or twice. They're elderly and last time, I looked after it for the afternoon as they had a special occasion.

I won't do it again. He's a lovely dog and generally nice neighbours but neighbour dropped in conversation today that the dog got a grass seed in his eye after I walked him last time and it caused an ulcer in his eye and ended up on antibiotics! I feel awful but also felt a bit peed off as if they think it's my fault in some way and was making a point. I was a bit 🤔 at the time as they didn't really say thanks. It was probably over a year ago now.

I have had dogs and miss mine but clearly they do things differently to me. (Don't walk their dog much). It's nice borrowing a dog but never the same as having your own.

Yes absolutely do! I’d wait till you see them and say how much you love and miss having a dog and that you’d love to walk it if they ever needed and see how it goes
like others say if it’s reactive or not friendly or anything they may say no
personally I’d love someone to offer for my dogs! I’d be more than happy to let a neighbour take them out

My neighbour walks my dog lol go for it

Try hi I miss my dog can I come with you on some walks ?
you can’t just say “ wanna take your dog out “ you’ve no idea what it’s like , if it’ll like you etc and they may think you were going to steal it.

build a relationship and soon they’ll be asking you to dog sit

If I was your neighbour I would offer us to walk my dogs together to be honest. After a while you might walk round the park etc whilst I wait. But I would feel worried for many reasons if you went alone. Such a big responsibility

I’ve no idea if it’s legal but unless you have insurance you shouldn’t be walking anyones dog for money - not even in America .

I would just offer to walk the dog when you next see them out. I would jump at the chance of my neighbours wrangling my beasts!

Since our last old dog died I walk several neighbours dogs. No money, I just like dogs and a walk without a dog still feels like a pub with no beer.

DH and I also walk dogs as volunteers for an animal rescue charity. Their rescues all live in kennels and it does them good to be taken out for excercise and some one-to-one social rehab.

I'd say no.

I would recommend that you ask someone with knowledge of local laws and guidelines. Mumsnet is a UK-based site and most posters would be hard pressed to locate Pennsylvania on a map, much less have any relevant advice! Good for you for trying to find a summer job at your age.

This is a really old thread.

dammit, why do I never notice the zombies?

They’ve fed the OP’s cat for her, so they’ve been in her home unsupervised and have been trusted with a key. I think it’s reasonable in that context and not weirdo territory at all.

Don’t be offended if they’re not comfortable with it. I couldn’t let a neighbour walk mine because they’re really well behaved on lead until they see a cat or a squirrel. They’ll then lunge with all their strength to chase after it. If you’re not ready for it you could drop the lead or end up on the ground.