Would You Loan Out Your Dogs?
As a Pet Blogger I hear about all sorts of crazy new products and services being launched that are supposed to in some way benefit our dogs. Some are awesome ideas and I think they are home-run ventures and others just leave me scratching my head.
The idea of a service that connects complete strangers who want to hang out with dogs for a few hours with dog owners is one such idea that just leaves me confused. Don’t get me wrong I am all for the kid next door coming over to play with the dogs or the person down the street dog sitting if you have to be out for more hours then normal but a complete stranger? No I am just not feeling it. Especially because I am supposed to trust them with my dogs on their own for several hours to several days?
I do think that everyone would benefit from some time with dogs but most people that don’t own a dog have to know someone nearby who does. Or better yet go down to the local shelter or rescue and volunteer to walk the dogs and hang out with the kitties once in a while. They always need helpers there and the animals there are always grateful for some special time with a new friend. If the person is feeling more ambitious perhaps they could ask if you can foster for the organization. During puppy and kitten season shelter need people willing to give their new babies a quite place to play away from the other animals and in a situation where they become socialized with people. It would be time limited because they want the puppies or kittens back by about 8 weeks in order to put them on the adoption floor so there is no chance of getting stuck with a permanent foster unless of course the decision was made to adopt one of the babies.
Back to the original reason for this post though loaning out your dogs just does not make sense to me from a safety perspective. Either this person “renting” your dogs have never had one and want to see what it is like in which case you would probably want to go to the park with them to help them learn what they need to look out for and how to keep your dog under control. Or this person can’t have a dog because of where they live or their current situation and then you would think they would want to be able to visit more then just a once off deal in which case why can’t they ask a friend if they can come over and hang out one day after work or on the weekend.
I have never said no to anyone who sees me walking the dogs that would like to say hello to the girls. That includes neighborhood kids, the UPS lady, a garbage truck driver, the construction workers in Hong Kong that were working on our building, or random people on the street. If a little kid asks if they can walk the dogs I do let them hang out with us on walks as long a their parents are ok with it. If they are old enough and strong enough I will even let them hold the leash with me walking net to them. There was even a little girl about 3 years old who would go outside with her grandmother during the day and she wanted to walk the dogs so at first she just walked next to us and eventually with me holding the leash above her she held onto their leashes while we walked around the garden. Davinia and Indiana are two dogs that attract a lot of attention from adults, kids, and other dogs and we always try to oblige by letting everyone say hello.
As a dog owner would you loan out your dogs?
Short answer – NO! Longer answer – NO, NEVER! I had actually commnented on this “service” a while back and the response was pretty clear…loaning out a dog could only lead to confusion and stress for the dog…Not a good idea at all
GizmoGeodog recently posted..Butterfly Puzzle for Wordless Wednesday
Heck NO! The dogs are very shy and would not like it one bit. If they were friendlier I couldn’t consider it, who knows what could happen to them. People can be weird.
2 Punk Dogs recently posted..Dinner with Doug
No way! That’s just crazy. My dogs would be scared. And I don’t get why someone would want to do that. I’ve never heard of anything like this.
jody cowan recently posted..Have It Your Way Giveaway – $500 (5/4)
I wouldn’t do it, but it’s crossed my mind that maybe loaning one of my Jack Russells to someone who says they want one might reduce the number of Jack Russells in shelters and rescues because the person could see what it was really like to live with one. People hear how active they are, how much energy they have, but hearing about it and experiencing it are 2 different things. Again, not something I would do in reality and certainly not something I would do through some service
dawn recently posted..You Know You’re a Pet Parent When #19
Uh.. no! 🙁
BunkThePug recently posted..Mail time!
Stressful for the dogs, and not safe, either. I’d rarely say no to anyone wanting to MEET my dogs, but loan them out to strangers? I’d have to wonder about the strangers’ motives as well as their dog skills.
It sounds like an idea dreamed up by someone who thinks dogs are objects, property comparable to chairs or tools, not family members. And why would I trust someone like that to do the background checks on anyone wanting to take my dogs away for several hours? Or for even two minutes?
NO! I could never do that. Too many crazies out there! I am worse then a over protective parent.. lol I would do the volunteer thing with hospitals and nursing homes. As long if I stayed with my dog.
I love it when people want to pet her or say hello to her. But she’s a family member. I wouldn’t rent my kids out to a stranger and she’s a furry kid.
No! I don’t understand why anyone would want to!
Emily recently posted..Travel Crate
I have to say no! I barely trust my own family with my dogs – let alone a complete stranger.
Brent @ Heart My Dog recently posted..Dog Breed Quiz #4 – Which Dog Is Taller?
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