BorrowMyDoggy - Anyone using it?

[lovenotwar149]

Hi, I am on BorrowMyDoggy and I am now borrowing 2 different dogs each wk and its going very well. In terms of making arrangements each wk i.e. time/day etc ,we correspond via WhatsApp only. I think this is fine and wanted to ask others who might be on it too and if they too are corresponding via WhatsApp too and not via the BorrowMyDoggy portal page. Many thanks!

Exactly, that’s my main concern too.

It’s all very well saying you’re trustworthy and nice (and I’m sure you are) but for me it’s about experience and knowing what to do (or what not to do) in certain situations.

For example, how would they deal with a reluctant or frightened dog? Or a dog that was injured? Would they do the same thing as me if an aggressive dog approached? Would they know what to do if my dog was bitten by a dog, or stung, or if he ate something he shouldn’t? Would they reinforce my training or would they do something totally different and cause loads of confusion?

I’m also very wary about websites like this that claim to provide insurance in the event of injuries or accidents.

You say you are trustworthy.

I could say I'm the Pope. Doesn't make it true.

Are you the pope?

You’ve just written out all the worries in my head about it. I know dogs aren’t children but they’re part of the family and you wouldn’t hand your kid to a unvetted stranger… I’m glad it works out for some but it’s not for me. Nor would I walk an unknown dog, for the same reasons.

I'm lovely , trustworthy and funny too!!!

Quite - how do you know the dog you’re borrowing is friendly? What if it bites you? Or attacks another dog or even a child?

Its interesting that I have recently fostered a guide dog for 6 months and I have never ever owned a dog. I did minimal training for it and the things mentioned above e.g. For example, how would they deal with a reluctant or frightened dog? Or a dog that was injured? Would they do the same thing as me if an aggressive dog approached? Would they know what to do if my dog was bitten by a dog, or stung, or if he ate something he shouldn’t?
I would never had experienced this before having this dog, I have common sense though and I can read. Ive lived to 56 yrs old had 3 kids etc Our guide dog had 2 seizures while living with us and we handled it very well indeed. One cannot cover all eventualities in life, its not possible.

What if what if what if....what if ....c'mon ppl

Thanks again for replies though. Best wishes to you all xx

@MyOliveHelper yes

I have been borrowing the same dog for five years and I liaise with his owner over WhatsApp and face to face. I invited the owner round to my home initially so she could know where I lived and we went on a walk together so I could find out more about the dog’s behaviour. I was also able to reassure her about my experience with my own dog. It’s worked really well for all of us.

If you aren't prepared for all eventualities (dog frightened or attacked), then you have no business walking someone else's dog and, quite frankly I think the dogs owners would be pretty horrified by your blase attitude.

And this is why I would never use BMD - just full of idiots.

@lovenotwar149 well like you I love it .

This

I don’t think that’s fair presuming we are all idiots- many have owned dogs before, just don’t now. Many idiotic owners too with poorly trained dogs. It’s a matter of picking the right people for the right dog - as I said we only do holiday care and are happy to reference - and I only have dogs that are good with other dogs - we don’t have kids at home anymore so don’t have to factor that in .

I’ve just met a lovely lady and her dog, Mona on BMD, it’s a great site!

Also use housesitting sites on the internet, I care for people’s pets and also live in their houses 😱

Not MumsNet like at all to be so trusting 🤣

I just had a look on the web site which has made me really feel quite sad - really quite a few puppy's in my area - why on earth would you get a puppy if you can't look after it, one on there is 4 months old!

Yep - and this kind of attitude is exactly what puts me off.

HRTFT yet but I am having a pretty good experience with BMD.

I can’t think why anyone would go to the hassle of signing up, paying, presumably giving fake details etc to steal a dog or mistreat a dog. I’m not saying it wouldn’t happen but there’s easier ways to abuse animals IMO.

It’s surely mostly just normal people who like dogs but can’t have a dog and just want to spend time with one.

I do see a lot of people who just seem to want free daycare though!!

I don’t think most people would sign up to intentionally mistreat the dogs.

My worry is more about people who are a bit clueless and don’t know what to do in a situation where the dog is at risk of getting hurt or of doing something dangerous.

There’s just a bit of snootery coming across towards BMD walkers on here like we are all knuckle draggers who couldn’t possibly keep a dog safe. It’s like when you look after someone else’s child, you’re almost more careful than with your own. I can guarantee you I know more about the breed I walk than its owner does. I’m not trying to persuade people to get on board with it but I don’t think the impression people seem to have of potential walkers is fair really.

Nobody said “all”

Maybe I’m a bit paranoid but no - I wouldn’t trust a random person off the internet to keep my dog safe.

It’s not that I think he’d be stolen or anything, more that I worry about general day to day handling and whether the borrower would follow my training or my instructions.

I’ve seen so many people out with dogs who clearly just don’t have a clue - dogs with no recall, dogs wandering about on flexi leads, dogs yanking their owners into the road, dogs being yanked by their collars or shouted at, dogs who are just allowed to do whatever while their owners chat. It worries me.

Yes there are idiots with dogs everywhere. Dog owners, dog walkers and potentially BMD walkers. That’s for sure.

I was had my dog off lead in a big park. Fine. Usual. Great recall. Some idiot woman stood in front of him, cooed, and then dropped bread on the floor for him to eat.

JFC.

And then there’s all the frigging weirdos that click their tongues and do kissy noises or put their hands out to try and get my dog to come over (on a short lead or otherwise).

So many people have no clue what’s appropriate to do with [someone else’s] dog.