Anyone do any voluntary dog work ?

[Turn7]

Thinking of helping out at Dogs Trust or local dog rescue as a dog walker/playpal/general dosgsbody and also as a means of
A)helping dogs in need
B)Getting my doggy fix

Just wondered if anyone here had done anything similar ?

[moorx]

Yes, when I lived in North Somerset, I used to volunteer dog-walk at a small local rescue that I adopted two dogs from. They had a small woodland next door where you could walk the dogs.

It was at a time when I had two very elderly dogs who couldn't walk far, so I felt that I could offer some time to walk other dogs. I used to do one or two days at the weekend, for an hour or two. I would also exercise dogs in the fenced compound when required (I remember being absolutely flattened by a huge staffie whose recall was very good, if a little over-enthusiastic!)

The only problem is falling in love with lots of dogs, but I've always been fairly practical about whether I can offer a dog a suitable home. Didn't stop some of them seriously tugging at the heart-strings, though!

I absolutely loved it and would thoroughly recommend it!

[pidsy]

Where in the uk are you turn7?

[Turn7]

pidsy said:

Where in the uk are you turn7?

Tring, Herts.

Have a large dogs trust unit in Harefeild and also Chiltern Dog Rescue up the road...

Not intending to rehome anything, but I have some free time at weekends and have always wanted to work with dogs.

[DuraAce]

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/cinnamon-trust/

[The_Burg]

Contemplating it. We both work long hours. After losing both our old dogs the house is empty.
No walkies. At home Fridays to Sunday. Would love another dog but just not home enough.

[pidsy]

Turn7 said:

pidsy said:

Where in the uk are you turn7?

Tring, Herts.

Have a large dogs trust unit in Harefeild and also Chiltern Dog Rescue up the road...

Not intending to rehome anything, but I have some free time at weekends and have always wanted to work with dogs.

Just up the road!!

Due to recent personal experiences I would avoid the dogs trust at harefield at all costs!

I will PM you when I get 5 mins. Might be able to point you in the right direction.

[Jasandjules]

I would love to but I fear I could not cope.

[condor]

I'm paid a small amount to walk dogs by their owners, who are often elderly and/or infirm. Sometimes they ask me to do small chores as well ie put the bins out, post a letter, some top-up shopping etc. and enjoy a chat too.
Perhaps if you have dog owning elderly/infirm neighbours you could offer your services to them free of charge.

[Turn7]

pidsy said:

Turn7 said:

pidsy said:

Where in the uk are you turn7?

Tring, Herts.

Have a large dogs trust unit in Harefeild and also Chiltern Dog Rescue up the road...

Not intending to rehome anything, but I have some free time at weekends and have always wanted to work with dogs.

Just up the road!!

Due to recent personal experiences I would avoid the dogs trust at harefield at all costs!

I will PM you when I get 5 mins. Might be able to point you in the right direction.

[CAPP0]

I do homechecks for a breed rescue, and have also transported dogs for them when needed. I'd spend more time walking their rescue dogs if their kennels weren't >1 hr from me.

[rambo19]

Dogs trust at basildon is hard to get into, over subscribed with people wanting to help.

[Smiler.]

Turn7 said:

Tring, Herts.

Have a large dogs trust unit in Harefeild and also Chiltern Dog Rescue up the road...

Not intending to rehome anything, but I have some free time at weekends and have always wanted to work with dogs.

Excellent idea.

A friend of the Mrs used to walk dogs from the Harefield one. She loved it but recently adopted a deaf dog from there.

We lasted 5 minutes as a foster for rescue dogs. We adopted the little tyke.

Glad you're keeping your chin up

[bexVN]

DuraAce said:

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/cinnamon-trust/

Highly recommend getting involved with this organisation. Yrs back I dog walked via them

[P700DEE]

I did this yesterday Walked a Lurcher around Hythe.
https://www.facebook.com/kentgreyhoundrescue1/?fre...

Most of the dog charities would be pleased of any help you can give time, money...

Fancy owning a dog but only available part time ? Barking Mad organise holidays for dogs. We match up people going on holiday with people who would like a dog but for whatever reason cannot have one full time. These people are called hosts, they get an expense payment and a free dog to love , cuddle , walk etc. to give them a great holiday whilst their owners enjoy a break away. Barking Mad are national so there will be a local one. I have some hosts who can only do weekends, you pick and choose the dogs you host and when you host them. Just like grandchildren you enjoy them on their holiday and send them back home. I have regular customers who check with the hosts prior to booking the holiday so the dog goes back to it's second home.
www.barkingmad.uk.com

[Pesty]

DuraAce said:

http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/cinnamon-trust/

what an awesome idea

[lovechild]

Turn7 said:

Not intending to rehome anything,

Good luck with that I know of your recent loss, have been through it more than once myself, and whilst I don't presume to know your feelings or intentions...........good luck with that

Generally speaking, there's no down side to what you're considering. There's obviously highs and lows, but the former most certainly outweighs the latter.

[Wings]

The_Burg said:

Contemplating it. We both work long hours. After losing both our old dogs the house is empty.
No walkies. At home Fridays to Sunday. Would love another dog but just not home enough.

I find myself in exactly the same position, losing my beloved Amber, German Shepherd last August. Still finding it difficult not having to take her for walks, not waking up and being greeted by her.

So decided last weekend to visit several dog rescue centres, and was both amazed at the number of members of the public visiting the same, and some questionable bad thoughts on how one rescue centre was provided with their dogs.

These bad thoughts now make me question whether I should buy a dog from a breeder, rather from a rescue centre.

[muppets_mate]

Wings said:

I find myself in exactly the same position, losing my beloved Amber, German Shepherd last August. Still finding it difficult not having to take her for walks, not waking up and being greeted by her.

So decided last weekend to visit several dog rescue centres, and was both amazed at the number of members of the public visiting the same, and some questionable bad thoughts on how one rescue centre was provided with their dogs.

These bad thoughts now make me question whether I should buy a dog from a breeder, rather from a rescue centre.

Can you expand a little on the bad thoughts you had about the rescue centre?

It would be a great shame to write off the idea of homing a rescue dog based on one experience.

[pidsy]

muppets_mate said:

Wings said:

I find myself in exactly the same position, losing my beloved Amber, German Shepherd last August. Still finding it difficult not having to take her for walks, not waking up and being greeted by her.

So decided last weekend to visit several dog rescue centres, and was both amazed at the number of members of the public visiting the same, and some questionable bad thoughts on how one rescue centre was provided with their dogs.

These bad thoughts now make me question whether I should buy a dog from a breeder, rather from a rescue centre.

Can you expand a little on the bad thoughts you had about the rescue centre?

It would be a great shame to write off the idea of homing a rescue dog based on one experience.

i wont go into a recent "issue" that ive had with a well known rescue centre but they are not all as squeaky clean as you might be led to believe.