Doggy Mates Tips

1. The practicalities of finding a dog friend
2. Arranging to meet a prospective dog friend and owner

Tip 1. The Practicalities of finding a dog friend

Finding a suitable dog friend amounts to one simple question:

'Do I trust this person to look after my dog?'

Of course, it is impossible for any internet site to provide a complete answer to this question. The purpose of Doggymates is to bring together people who love dogs, so they can ask this crucial question of each other and to in turn benefit from a sharing arrangement.

The registration form you fill out when you join (and can amend at any time) allows members to make an initial judgment about you and you about them.

The most successful relationships are based on openness and trust; and so it's crucial that you state your needs and what you can offer.

The following examples may serve as a guide to describing your dog and the arrangement you require:

My husband and I work and we require a small friend for our foxy to spend weekdays with. Both dogs can stay in our secure yard. In exchange we require dog minding on occasional weekends.
"My Border Collie, Jemma, is very people-friendly and loves to play with other smaller dogs. She's not very keen on dogs of similar size or bigger. Need confident small dog, who enjoys playing with large dogs. I need a dog friend for Saturday mornings when I go shopping and for annual 2-week holidays. Can do similar.
We have a mini poodle, Barney. On occasional weekends when we go away we would need help. Willing to do same.
Have two large dogs and two children. New dog friend must love kids. We go on holiday for a fortnight once a year and need help with the dog's care. Will return favour.
Lonely, nervous Cocker Spaniel, Bobby requires small friend for weekend walks. Also willing to take new friend on dog adventures.
Stay at home Mum with small dog will provide doggy daycare for a small dog for a small neg fee. Safe yard.

Dog minders

This is done by selecting “No” for the question “Do you have a dog(s)?” in the registration form. Then only the “Arrangement preferences” (Eg. Doggy day care, Weekends away, Holidays, etc) and “Arrangement you require” boxes are filled out. No dog details are required.

Dog social events

Please send an email to Diane at contact@doggymates.com, if you wish an event to be added to the Dog Social Page in the member’s area. Or you can use the “Contact us” giving your details.

Remember, it's in your interests to be as candid as possible. Leaving out basic information may only lead to disappointment.

When you see a prospective doggy friend displayed in the SEARCH RESULTS page, you should click the VIEW PROFILE button to see this member's details. If they match your requirements, then use your email system to send an email. This way you have a record of the emails sent.

PLEASE USE YOUR OWN EMAIL SYSTEM (Eg Hotmail). DO NOT USE THE DOGGYMATES EMAIL SYSTEM IN YOUR PROFILE. SPAM filters may block Doggymates emails.

Your message should be concise and suggest an initial meeting. The message may include your:

Owner's first name
Suburb
E-mail address.
Dog's name
Dog's sex, size, breed

Please put Doggymates in the header. This way people know the email is from a Doggymates member and not spam. Do not request someone look after your dog the following weekend. This may put people off you.

Note: No addresses, telephone numbers or payment details are stored on this website.

The role of the Doggymates website is now complete - in that you have established the basis for a dog friendship.

How things proceed are now down to you and your dog.

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Tip 2. Arranging to meet a prospective dog friend and owner

We recommend that members meet each other in a mutually agreed public place (eg Park, dog cafe, off-lease area, dog park). We recommend the area is well lit, crowded and busy with people and dogs.

These initial meetings effectively provide an opportunity for you to judge the dog's owner(s) and determine their character and suitability for looking after your dog.

You also need to see how your dog reacts to the other dog and owner(s). How does the other owner(s) treat their dog?

You might consider asking these and other questions:

What are your expectations of this arrangement?
Have you ever looked after someone else's pet?
Where does your dog sleep? Inside? Outside? Owners bed?
How would you fit minding my pet into your present routine?
Have you ever physically hit a pet, and, if so, under what circumstances?
Is your dog vaccinated?

Take note of facial expressions or body language to help assess attitude and character.

If any question is not answered to your complete satisfaction then you should politely make your excuses and walk away.

At the first meeting, both members should take with them some form of photo-id (eg a passport, drivers licence) and resent invoice (Eg Electricity, Telephone) to confirm who they are and their address. Addresses are only exchanged if you are comfortable with the other owner(s). If everything is OK you may then meet at each other's home.

Dog owners may consider the suitability of each others home in terms of:

Enclosure - Is it sufficiently secure to ensure your pet will remain safe?
Feel - Does it have the feeling of a pleasant environment for your dog?
Other pets - are they likely to make your dog's stay an enjoyable one?
Space - is there enough of it?
Children – Is your dog OK with children?

For a doggy sleep over also exchange vet and emergency contact details.

Please send an email to Doggymates if you have doubts about the person ability to look after dogs.

A person's name may be permanently removed from Membership register if a number of complaints are received.

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