Borrow my doggy

[ImpatientlyWaitingForSummer]

Does anyone have any experience using this? Normally our little dog stays with the same family member on the very rare occasion we go away without her! But we’re planning a holiday abroad this year and family member can’t look after her so looking at alternate options, has anyone ever used Borrow My Doggy and if so what was your experience? Obviously would need to make sure my pup was in good hands before planning a holiday without her

Not a chance would I do this. I would pay for care. You have no idea who you would be leaving your pet with. I know some people use it to get a free dog walker. I wouldn’t do that either though.

I know I feel a bit like this too, something just doesn’t sit right with me about it. Wondering what other people’s thoughts on it were

not me, but ive seen a few people on TikTok do this and borrow someones dog from the website/app. It’s lovely! But you are taking a chance, the person might not be very kind etc.

I think that’s what would put me off, just no way to know for sure if they would be one of the good ones!

You don’t know if they will get vet treatment for your dog if it needs it. If they will keep it safe (away from meds etc). If they will walk it or keep it a routine. You have no idea if they will leave it for a day and go out. You can’t even be sure they won’t pass the dog to someone else whilst you’re away!

Shes retired and i met her about a year ago at a hobby amd she does talk about her dog and walks and what have you. Then after the bank holiday someone asked her what she does with the dog when she goes away and she explained that really he wasn’t her dog he was a borrow my dog dog and she has him three days a week and has done for two years.

I know people who have done this - a friend who lost her own dog was quickly used as free dog care by someone who didn’t want to pay. His dogs were badly behaved and she quickly regretted it.
Another person who borrowed a friend’s lab , let it off lead , and he ran back home, across roads etc.

No way in hell would I trust some random with my lovely dogs.

I do this as a borrower. I had dogs of my own for over 20 years but want a break that commitment for a few years. I always meet the dog and humans beforehand for a walk and usually have the dog for a few hours or overnight to make sure that everyone is happy before committing to a longer stay. Dogs are never left alone in the house, we ask every conceivable question about them beforehand and we have wonderful country walks on our doorstep.

I would be wary if I had my own dog, but then my dogs never went to boarding kennels either as I didn't trust them or

I do this as a borrower. I had dogs of my own for over 20 years but want a break that commitment for a few years. I always meet the dog and humans beforehand for a walk and usually have the dog for a few hours or overnight to make sure that everyone is happy before committing to a longer stay. Dogs are never left alone in the house, we ask every conceivable question about them beforehand, and we have wonderful country walks on our doorstep.

I would be wary if I had my own dog, though! I'm always amazed that there are people who want to leave their dog with me without even having met me.

I’d be more likely to use Trusted Housesitters as I think they do some sort of vetting and maybe you can see reviews? But that does mean someone staying in your home. I wouldn’t just send my dog off to a strangers house for a week. Ultimately no matter how well vetted or reviewed a person is, even a person with good character could drop a lead or something. I really don’t think I’d trust a stranger.

i had a panic earlier that as im away with friends for a week in august and then dh is away the following weekend that we’d have an overlapping weekend when both away. Thankfully dh isn’t away till Monday. But id have cancelled my holiday if needed. Can you change the date on yours?

This is interesting, thank you. As a borrower how would you feel about multiple meet ups beforehand with the dog and humans? Or is that not really the done thing?

We haven’t actually booked it yet so needless to say if we don’t find an option we’re comfortable with we just wouldn’t book it.

Just book him into a good kennels

Our dog goes to kennels and loves it there. We had a bad experience with Rover (similar to Borrow my Doggy but paid) where the sitter cancelled at the last minute so wouldn't trust these services again. What if something goes wrong in the middle of the sit and you're not able to get back? Kennel staff know what to do, aren't going to cancel and can handle any situation. There are good kennels out there. Maybe ask your vet for recommendations?

I would be very happy with this, any good borrower would understand why you'd want this.

My dog has never stayed in kennels or anything like that, she’s quite a shy dog and I think this would really overwhelm her. We wouldn’t go on holiday at all if it were a case of kennels or not feeling comfortable who she was staying with which is looking like it might be the case!

No way. I pay home dog boarders and walkers

God no this is far too risky. If a trusted friend can't do it, use kennels.

That a useful thing to know, thank you

We are members of Borrowmydoggy but really only have one dog sitter now from it who I would absolutely trust any dog with, we get photo updates of their adventures. Recently joined trusted housesitters and had a lovely couple from South America looking after rookiedog and some Australians due to dog sit soon. DH organised it and you can read reviews and had online video calls in advance. Rookiedog enjoys his home comforts and is a fairly easy dog. Both Trusted Housesitters and Borrowmydoggy have some form of insurance.
We do have a paid for dog sitter as well, but prices keep going up so we use her sparingly.

Thank you for this. If you don’t mind sharing, with the borrower from borrow my doggy, how did you initially build that relationship so you were able to get to a point where you felt comfortable?

I’d be looking more for a professional dog sitter I think. Like a local pet services business.

saying that I’ve told uni student dd to advertise some sort of pet sitting service over the holidays to make some money. So you could find an amateur who’s experienced with dogs and you’d trust. Worth asking locally for recommendations

I’d consider it for walks and then if it works out we’ll work up to short breaks and then holidays. But it looks like you’re just trying to avoid kennel fees rather than what’s good for the dog.

I was on borrow my doggy. Made friends with a lovely family who now have my dog around once a week and ad hoc, it's worked really well but I've spent a long time building a relationship with them and am very mindful not to rely on them for care so it's more about them seeing my dog when they want to although it is still super helpful and gives me a break. My dog loves them and really benefits from having a good relationship with other people (I'm on my own with her). I wouldn't expect them to have her if I wanted to go on holiday but they have had her for the odd sleepover.

Not a chance in hell. I would either use a professional paid sitter who stayed in my home or a licensed home boarder who has been vetted and approved by the council.