What's On Offer?

As a member of Swapadog.com you will benefit from joining a club of other members who wish to 'swap' dogs, on a reciprocal basis, as well as enjoying other aspects of other 'member only 'benefits.

You can join our community for Free by clicking on the puppy to the right ---->

If you do not wish to join, but just visit the site on a regular basis, we can offer you a portal of information to serve many of your needs as a dog owner. The 'Dog Links' section will take you to magazines, forums, chat rooms, pet supply merchandisers, associations and organisations all of which you may find useful.

Whichever way you want to use this site, we have designed it for you! So get involved and send us your ideas to enhance it. We also want to hear your experiences and feedback, so get in touch! Together we can create the ultimate online experience for dog lovers.

My Personal Story...

We have frequently been asked how the idea for SWAPADOG came about.

Well, we didn’t wake bolt upright in the middle of the night with the idea, nor did looking into the beautiful trusting brown eyes of a much adored family dog do it.

It was a gradual realisation that actually there is a huge need for us to feel relaxed and happy with the welfare and contentment of our family dog when away on holiday or unable to look after him for a period of time. That the knowledge he will be cared for and enjoyed in an environment that will become familiar to him, will relieve the guilt of saying "au revoir".

Some years ago, Nanny had a much loved yellow labrador - Amy, and whenever she was away, on the persistent demands of our children, we would care for Amy. On occasions we would be away together and it would not be possible to have her, so she would go into kennels. Although well cared for and tended to in the kennels, Nanny always noticed how much more enthusiastic she was to be left with us in the busy and loving atmosphere of a family home. She had as much attention as she wanted and the children also learnt the responsibility of having a dog and her needs for quiet time, playtime, mealtime …and manners!!

It was reassuring for Nanny to see Amy bounding into our house with all her luggage and well aware it was holiday time! And then a week later to see her bounding off home again with not a care in the world!

This arrangment worked for several years until Amy finally passed away. Now we have our own exuberant, inquisitve and extremely friendly labrador, who lives with us, but holidays with Nanny when we are away. It works brilliantly. We know Ellie, our lab, is happy as she whines with excitement when pulling into Nanny’s drive and races out of the car to be the first at her front door, leaping into her "second home" with great enthusiasm. When we collect her, she is just as madly enthusiastic and leaps back into our car for her return with not a backward glance.

The whole strength of this arrangment is that Ellie knows Nanny well and is familiar with her environment. She sees her fairly regularly and considers her to be part of the extended pack.. We know Ellie will be well cared for, and having discussed house rules, Nanny maintains this way of life which reinforces her security and well being.

The wonderful thing about SWAPADOG is that it works for both people that have a dog and also for people who don’t. We have several friends who would love a dog, but due to certain circumstances cannot have one permanently, but would love the opportunity to look after one for a weekend/week/fortnight.

You can choose if your dog would like a family environment, a quiet household or to be with other dogs. You can discuss all your dogs habits, likes and dislikes to ensure he will be content and understood whilst you are away.

 

Sign up today to SWAPADOG

Neville Price - Founder of Swapadog.com