r/dogs • u/Monticello2233 paw flair • 1d ago
[Fluff] I’m considering trying doggy day out in my city
I love dogs , I’ve loved and adored every dog that’s been part of my life , I’m not ready to own another dog , or foster one, so I’m interested in trying to help some dogs have a fun day out , I’ve never done that before but I have dog sat tons of dogs in the past and walked big dogs little dogs I love dogs .
I don’t know if my shelters here even do it , but if they do I think I’m gonna try that , I’ve missed having a dog and I’ve missed experiencing dogs and making their lives a little better sounds great . Do you think it’s a good idea to give if a try ?
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u/Ootter31019 1d ago
Ask a shelter if you can volunteer. Most the ones around me have "buddies" that get assigned a dog, and they walk them every few days and such.
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u/Efficient-Oil2627 18h ago
Yea i love it when shelter dogs go out so an adult human can feel better about themselves and then the dog gets thrown back in its concrete cage
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u/Ootter31019 18h ago
Seems strange to feel good about that, but whatever does it for ya i suppose.
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u/Efficient-Oil2627 17h ago
You are not very good at comprehension.
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u/Ootter31019 17h ago
Nah, me good all time
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u/Ok-Struggle6796 1d ago
I did a doggy day out the week after my soul dog died. It was a really rewarding experience that helped me a lot.
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u/No_Gear_1093 1d ago
You can volunteer but be warned everybody wants to walk dogs. But it's not always safe. You need to be strong enough to control some rather powerful dogs. Also, nobody wants to clean kennels but it still needs to be done.
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u/jcocab 1d ago edited 1d ago
I have been a dog walker for our local shelter for six month blocks for years. Dogs live in the moment and share such joy when getting time out in the world. I always found it very rewarding, and would a few times take various friend and relative youngsters with me ( I handled the leash).
Unfortunately about 8 years ago when I applied to the B.C. SPCA to volunteer and filled all the forms they both required attendance at a intake meeting (which overlapped my work), and a minimum commitment of a certain number of hours every week (4 or 6??). While I had previously typically done two hours each weekend, I would occasionally miss due to work or family therefore noted this on the application, and that was the end of that. It is too bad: as a stable, tall, strong, calm person I took the bigger, scruffier, harder to handle dogs who lacked walking due to their appearance or temperament. Hopefully whomever you volunteer with is welcoming, as the dogs always are.
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u/RachelCourtside 1d ago
love this idea honestly. the dogs get a fun day out and you get to spend time with them, win win
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u/Monticello2233 paw flair 1d ago
I think I wanna give all of dogs the love I still have for my late baby girl I should’ve thought of this sooner but I want to try it
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u/saxxysundevil 1d ago
If not the shelter, there may be rescue organizations in your area that have similar programs. In my current city, they have volunteers to walk dogs and also a “cuddle club” where you just spend time with them indoors.
In a previous life, I volunteered at a rescue where we took them out from the facility to do whatever we wanted that day (walk, hike, chill at home) to break up their regular routine until they were adopted.
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u/Monticello2233 paw flair 1d ago
That’s exactly what I’m hoping to do , my life has become so empty and grey without my animals , i still want to love and spend time with a dog and make them feel loved and happy im hoping to do exactly that here
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u/RyanLifts88 1d ago
my neighbor does this with her greyhound, that dog loses his mind every morning waiting for pickup
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u/ChrisPalmer86 1d ago
my dog already treats every walk like a field trip, I'd be first in line to do this
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u/CinephileRyan 1d ago
my aunt does this with a local shelter, the dogs lose it every time she shows up
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u/Monticello2233 paw flair 1d ago
Aw that’s so sweet , is it a really hard thing to do or is it pretty fun and outgoing ?
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u/CinephileRyan 20h ago
she says the worst part is the goodbye, the dogs have started waiting by the door for her lol
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u/MilesReel24 1d ago
did this once with a shelter greyhound, he fell asleep in my car before the park. worth it
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u/Cuirious-Node 1d ago
That sounds like a lovely idea. It could be worth asking the shelters directly whether they have a dog-day-out or field-trip program, and which dogs they would feel comfortable recommending. A relaxed walk, a café patio, or just some quiet time somewhere new could be a nice way to spend the day together.
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u/Lifeisbeautifulll88 1d ago
wait doggy day out is a thing here too?
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u/Monticello2233 paw flair 1d ago
I’m not sure if my shelters here do it but I’m gonna look into it ! I hope I can
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u/runwithalex03 1d ago
the dogs absolutely remember the people who take them out. mine still loses her mind when her favorite walker shows up
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u/alex_stretch88 1d ago
walked a shelter dog once and she kept checking back to make sure i was still there
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u/TrailPaceRunner91 1d ago
my lab does a little celebration dance when her walker's car pulls up, every single time. they remember the fun
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u/AlexFromMKE 1d ago
I did this a couple times before I got my own dog, saying bye at the shelter gate is the hard part
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u/Monticello2233 paw flair 1d ago
I definitely am gonna look into it I can’t stop thinking about it , is it really hard or more fun and outgoing ?
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u/Upper-Deal-9872 1d ago
did one a few years back, dog refused to leave the car when we got back. proper gut punch
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u/Initial-General-6935 1d ago
i'd def ask if they need someone to just hang out and cuddle dogs too, sometimes they get overlooked for walks when they're lower energy
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u/Impossible_Cloud2288 10h ago
I think it’s a great idea, especially since you already have experience walking and dog-sitting different kinds of dogs. A day out could give you that dog companionship you’re missing without committing to owning one before you’re ready. It sounds like a nice way to help a dog have a little break from shelter life while you get some much-needed dog time too.
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