Have you ever considered borrowing a dog? It's the pawfect solution for those who want to experience all the joy of having a furry friend without the long-term commitment. So here are seven top benefits of borrowing a dog that will make you want to leash up and take a walk with your new four-legged buddy!

Enjoy Some Exercise and Fresh Air

Dogs are known for their energy and enthusiasm. Borrowing a dog means that you get a furry workout buddy who will motivate you to get outside and exercise. Taking a pup for a walk or a run in the park is not only good for their physical health but also yours. Spending time outdoors can improve your mood, reduce stress levels, and boost your immune system.

And don't forget about all the tail-wagging fun you'll have together!

I was stuck in a rut and really didn't want to go out. I love animals and I knew they were a great way to motivate me to get me out and about, so I joined BorrowMyDoggy. I now walk Charlie, which means not only am I getting exercise, but he makes me smile - to see him so excited when I go round just makes my day. I feel like I’ve done something good by borrowing him, which in turn makes me feel good about myself.

Charlie’s borrower, Tracy from Liverpool

Meet New People

Dogs are social creatures and a lot of them love meeting new people. When you borrow a pooch, you get the opportunity to meet other dog owners and dog lovers. You can bark up a conversation with someone in the park while your pooch pal is playing, or why not attend a dog meet-up event? Borrowing a dog is a great way to expand your social circle and make new human pals with a recent BorrowMyDoggy members’ study finding that 90% of our borrowers engaged in more human social interactions when borrowing a dog.

Hugo’s owners say:

It’s also been so nice meeting new people. We are great friends with one of the couples who look after Hugo and we’re taking them out for Christmas dinner! Hugo has made friends and we have made friends as well.

Reduce Loneliness

Dogs are great companions, and they can provide a sense of purpose and companionship that may help to reduce loneliness. If you are feeling isolated, borrowing a dog can help you feel less alone. Dogs can be quite intuitive and a lot of them can sense when their owners or borrowers are feeling down, and they can offer comfort and emotional support. It's amazing how a little cuddle time with a pup can make the ruff days seem brighter.

I joined BorrowMyDoggy as I'm currently in law school studying for exams and that makes for a bit of a lonely, non-social, sitting on your behind for hours on end life. I thought I would give BorrowMyDoggy a go! It’s only been a few weeks with Daphne and Charlie but all in all it’s made my drive and desire to be an Animal Welfare Rights Lawyer stronger. Animals are simply just better than humans… they are fabulous. Both Daphne and Charlie have great owners and I’ve now made some nice friends out of BorrowMyDoggy… so that has been a bonus.

Daphne and Charlie's borrower, Lilly

Learn Responsibility

Borrowing a dog is a great way to learn the responsibilities that come with dog ownership without the long-term commitment of owning your own. Taking care of a dog requires a certain level of responsibility, from feeding them to walking them; making sure they stay healthy to keeping them safe. Borrowing a puppy pal is a great way to learn these skills and get a taste of what it’s like to own a dog.

Jason, Bobo’s borrower, says:

I know I could look after a dog on my own, but it’s still a huge commitment, so I really wanted to try what it’s like looking after a dog on a daily basis to see if it suits my lifestyle.

Improve Mental Wellbeing

Dogs are known for their ability to reduce stress levels and improve our mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that interacting with a pooch can lower cortisol levels, a hormone associated with stress. Borrowing a dog can help you feel more relaxed, reduce anxiety levels, and improve your overall mental health. Spending time with a canine companion is like hitting the pawsitive button on your mood.

Claire says:

I have been borrowing dogs from BorrowMyDoggy for six years and have had significantly less hospital admissions and crises. I have shared so many adventures with my borrowed doggies and have created many wonderful memories. From paddleboarding, dog café visits, Christmas present sharing, cuddles and kisses, I credit the love and affection I have for these loyal, sociable animals for the stabilisation of my mental health. My therapy has fur and four paws.

Read more about Claire’s story.

Increase Happiness

Dogs are also known for their ability to bring joy and happiness into people’s lives. Borrowing a pup can help boost your mood and increase your overall happiness. Dogs are great at providing unconditional love and support, and spending time with them can be a great mood booster. The wagging tails, wet noses, and big cuddles are all the prescription you need for a pawsitively amazing day.

I've been looking after two amazing mini Dachshunds called Tommy and Biggins every week who have totally changed my life. They bring me so much joy! And we've even made friends with their owners too. I've also had the amazing opportunity to borrow many other local dogs including a Collie, a Westie and a French Bulldog. It's just the perfect way to have a part-time pet and all the happiness that provides. Thank you!

Tommy and Biggins' borrower, Ellen

Try Before You Buy

Borrowing a dog is a great way to try out different breeds and see if owning a dog is right for you. It can be hard to know what kind of pooch will suit your lifestyle and pawsonality without spending time with them. Borrowing a dog can help you understand more about a breed and your suitability for having your own pooch before making a long-term commitment.

I really do see BorrowMyDoggy as a great service for people to trial the dog lifestyle before making the lifelong commitment. It's a great feeling to know that he brings as much happiness to some of his regular borrowers as he brings to us. His doggy wiggle when he meets his borrowers is fantastic and shows just how much he enjoys it!

Devdas’ owner, Cliff.

Borrowing a dog can provide loads of benefits, from improving your physical and mental health, to reducing loneliness and providing companionship. It’s the pawfect solution to experience the joys of owning a dog without the long-term commitment. So why not give it a try and see if borrowing a dog is right for you?

Member feedback

Katy on Trustpilot:

BorrowMyDoggy is an absolutely brilliant platform and I’m so glad it exists for those of us who sadly can’t commit to owning a dog, but need some quality canine time! I’ve met some wonderful pups who’ve provided us with so many smiles, laughs and well-needed exercise. And knowing that the yearly price includes a vet line if needed has been a real comfort. Before this, I’d had a profile for years and didn’t take the plunge, but I started messaging a few owners a couple of months ago and wished I’d done it sooner. I didn’t realise how much I’d missed having a pet in my life, so this has been a real game changer!

FAQs

How long can I borrow a dog for?

The length of time you can borrow a dog depends on the owner and your schedule and availability. Some owners may only be able to lend their fuzzy friend for a few hours, while others may be open to overnight stays.

Do I need to have experience with dogs to borrow one?

It's always helpful to have some experience with dogs, but it's not necessary. The most important thing is that you're enthusiastic, willing to learn and honest with owners and yourselves as to what you can comfortably handle.

How do I borrow a dog?

You can borrow a dog by signing up and becoming a premium member of the BorrowMyDoggy community. After the verification and safety checks, you can unleash the power of doggy borrowing. Once you've found a pawsome pup in your area, you'll be able to wag, walk and play with them to your heart's content.

Discover more in our BorrowMyDoggy guides or our How it works page.

Is borrowing a dog safe?

Safety is our number one priority at BorrowMyDoggy, with measures in place to ensure that both borrowers and owners have a safe and enjoyable experience. For more information, see our safety page.

Can I borrow a dog if I live in an apartment/flat?

Absolutely! As long as you're able to give the dog the necessary exercise and attention, you can borrow a dog no matter where you live. Just make sure to check with the owner first to see if their dog is comfortable in an apartment setting.

Borrower Guides

7 pawsome benefits of borrowing a dog

How to choose the pawfect dog to borrow

Borrow a Dog: Everything You Need to Know