I have a new puppy (13 weeks) and have a family member to take her for walks when I go back to work, but I would feel comfortable if I had a Plan B too. Has anyone used this service - link at the bottom - or know anyone who has?

Basically, one registers as an owner or a borrower at £45 or £8 per year respectively, and the parties get matched up and meet for compatibility checks and take it from there. Seems a good idea, and preferable to a group walk with a paid service somehow.

https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/

Nowhere making a decision about this, but I would love to hear from anyone who has good or bad experiences of BMD to share thanks.

There is no way, on gods green earth that I would 'borrow' my dog to anyone and having seen how anxious some owners get at leaving their dogs just to be groomed for a couple of hours, I can't see many others being willing either, at least not around where I am. The idea is you agree to hand over your dog whilst you work, go out, on holiday or whatever and in return the person gets to look after your dog for that time as a way for them to have a dog for a while if they can't have their own for whatever reason. Nice idea and each to their own, but personally I would never borrow my best friend to someone like a pair of shoes or a dvd box set. If I were you I would look around for a good, registered dog walker who has good reviews, and if you don't want your pup going on a group walk, request that she's walked on her own, though you will almost certainly have to pay a little more for the service.

I agree with CollieWobbles.

No way would I trust someone I didn't know with my dog. A good dog walker or sitter the best plan of action.

There are very few people I trust with my boys. I mean very few!!! I'd never let some random - checked or otherwise - get their hands on them.

I disagree with the other posters; I am considering joining Borrow My Doggy myself, not as a dog owner but as a potential borrower. I absolutely adore dogs and have owned several over the past twenty five years, but due to work and other commitments it isn't possible for me to own one now. I would love to look after a dog for a few hours, or a weekend and would give it lots of cuddles and playtime, walks on the beach, etc. Looking at the website there seem to be a lot of dogs local to me, so I will probably join up soon and hope to make some lovely canine friends!

Your looking at it from the point of view of wanting to borrow a dog, not as an owner wary of loaning their beloved pet out to someone. I am fairly certain that someone without a dog would look at this quite differently from someone with one. Would a parent 'borrow' their baby or child to someone so they could have the experience of pushing a pram around the park? Most people's dogs are like their babies to them and looked upon and treated in the same way. A much better way for someone to get their doggy fix if they can't have one themselves is to go to a local pound or rescue shelter and volunteer to play with and walk the dogs there whose owners aren't going to return after a few hours working or shopping. Most places would be only to glad to have someone to relieve the dog's boredom for a bit and help get it sociable. Far better than loaning someone's pet like a Blockbuster movie .

Thanks for all replies; sorry to take so long getting back, issues with connectivity prevailed.

I have to say I think the idea behind BMD has a certain charm. It simply is not possible for everyone to own a dog, yet some of those who cannot would love to be part of a dog's life. Some dogs benefit from extra walks and socialisation and BMD seems to offer a way to meet both sets of needs. I haven't made a decision yet, but I am giving this serious thought. One would meet prospective 'borrowers' beforehand so there is no question of handing over to 'some random stranger'. Both parties pay a fee to BMD rather than money exchanging hands between them so no contract is entered into - if there isn't a happy match then each one looks elsewhere. My puppy has settled in happily and loves going out and meeting people. I want to encourage this trust in people and just wanted to see if anyone had experience of this service. I think I would gain comfort from knowing Millie was going out with a friend while I was at work.

I was a member for a bit and got nowhere. I was a borrower, and there were just not enough members in my area to find anyone who matched up with me. I got my money back.

A friend of mine is in London though, and she is a dog owner and LOVES BMD. She has a condition that means that sometimes she can't get out and walk the dog, and she now has a whole network of people who her dog loves and trusts and can go out with.

You don't just lend your dog to a total stranger, you meet up with them as many times as you need to before you feel you can trust them, and you aren't obliged to leave your dog with anyone at all. Yes, I suppose some could trick you if they were that way inclined, but it would be an awfully complicated way to steal or hurt a dog.

Where are you OP? I think a lot depends on where you are and how many people there are in your area. If you're near me, I'll walk your dog! I would LOVE to!

I wish there was one for "Borrow My Kitty". The amount of nights away that have been because we can't get someone to stay over with the cats is unreal. They're house cats, and due to two events where both my wife and I were taken into hospital when they were kittens, means they start panicking if they don't have a human around of a night time.

Lol - Hi Elanor, I'm in NE Scotland. Any good for you? Probably not, what are the chances after all? But thank you for asking, and thank you for your positive and informative post, which matches my thoughts.

I think I will go ahead and complete the registration. I started but stopped half-way through to ponder (hence this thread) but I have already had a follow up email listing NEW borrowers registered in my area, so it does seem as though there a lot of dogless dog lovers out there. Tbh, I think they should be applauded for being sensible in respecting a dog's welfare by not owning one because circumstances aren't perfect and I think if they have gone to the trouble of registering with BMD then they are probably a safe pair of hands to offer friendship and exercise to a sociable dog.

Anyway, I will update as things move along, and thanks again for your post