How Packmates works, from first look to first walk
Packmates helps dog owners find other owners nearby for walks that suit everyone's dogs. Here is the whole journey in one sitting, with no jargon and no surprises.
We built Packmates because we are dog owners, and we have all stood in a car park at 7am wondering whether anyone else in the area would like a bit of company. Walking is better with someone alongside you. Dogs tend to think so too.
The tricky bit is finding the right someone. A bouncy young Labrador and a nervous rescue terrier might both be lovely dogs, but they probably want different walks. So we made a noticeboard that says what each walk is for before anyone turns up.
What Packmates is (and what it isn't)
Packmates is a location-aware noticeboard. Owners post walks, other owners ask to join, and everybody gets to know each other a little before meeting. That is the lot.
It is not a dog-walking service. Nobody on Packmates is a professional, nobody is being paid to look after your dog, and you always stay with your own dog. Think of it as arranging a walk with a neighbour rather than hiring one.
Posting a walk
Every post is a walk with a date, a time of day and a rough area. If you are heading out anyway, post it and others can ask to come along. If you would simply like some company and don't mind exactly when, tick Flexible on time. Your walk then shows a small badge, so people know they can suggest a time that suits them.
The flexible option is handy in quiet areas. If you can't see a walk near you, don't take that as a sign nobody wants one. Someone else may be waiting for a first hello too.
Every walk says who it suits
When an organiser posts a walk, they choose a type so you can tell at a glance what to expect.
- Just a walk
- An everyday walk with friendly company.
- Puppy social
- Gentle early meet-ups. Owners declare their puppy is fully vaccinated.
- Needs space
- Walks that keep plenty of distance between dogs.
- Senior / slow
- An easy pace for older legs and serious sniffers.
- Training
- Practise recall or lead manners alongside other owners.
- Breed meet
- A themed walk, where the organiser describes who it is for.
On top of the type, organisers can add tags such as On lead, Slow pace or Calm welcome. Together they paint a picture quickly. A Needs space walk tagged On lead is a very different outing from a Just a walk tagged Calm welcome, and that is exactly the point.
Browsing near you, or somewhere you're visiting
You can browse by town, village or postcode. Heading to Cornwall for a week? Look at walks there without changing your home area. When you come back, your usual walks are exactly where you left them.
You can also try the search on our walks page without installing anything, to see what a town looks like before you join.
From request to meeting
Find a walk, or post one
Browse near home or anywhere you're visiting. If nothing suits, post one of your own.
Ask to join and introduce your dogs
Choose which dogs you would bring and say hello. A short, friendly note goes a long way.
The organiser decides
They see your request and the dogs coming, then approve or decline. Declines are never personal. Sometimes a walk is just full or a different fit.
Agree the plan privately
Once approved, you settle the time and a public meeting point in chat. The chat is time-bounded, so it doesn't hang around for ever.
Go and enjoy it
Meet at the agreed spot, say hello properly, and walk.
Who you will be meeting
Everyone on Packmates is 18 or over. Each person verifies their email and phone number, and takes one private Proof of woof photo: a quick selfie with their dog, used only to confirm there is a real person and a real dog. It stays private. We explain it properly in what Proof of woof is and why we ask.
Every dog has a profile too, covering size, energy, lead behaviour and how comfortable they are around other dogs. If a walk looks like it might not suit one of your dogs, Packmates tells you before you ask. That is advice, not a barrier, and the organiser always has the final say.
I liked that I could see the walk was slow and on lead before I even asked. It meant I wasn't the one explaining my dog's quirks to a stranger in a car park.
When something doesn't feel right
Any walk, message or photo can be reported to the moderation team, and blocking someone stops contact. You are in charge of who you walk with, and you can change your mind at any point. If a plan stops feeling comfortable, it is perfectly fine to say no thanks. Our community page and support page cover the details.
Where we are now
Packmates is currently in UK beta. You can use the web app at app.packmates.co.uk, and the beta page explains how beta access works. We are still learning, so if something could be clearer, please tell us.
Before your first request
- Add a profile for each dog you might bring.
- Take your private Proof of woof photo.
- Read the walk type and tags properly, not just the title.
- Write a friendly note introducing yourself and your dog.
- Think about what a good meeting point looks like (a public car park, say).
That's it. Find a walk, ask nicely, agree the plan, go and have a lovely time. The rest of our Getting started guides dig into each step if you'd like more.
