One of my close neighbour's got a beautiful GSD puppy a few months back which rarely seems to get walked. Myself and other dog owners in the area have all commented on this. Asides from that it looks in pretty good condition and is very friendly. I would love to take it out for walks to the park with my own dog as they seem to get on well as I pass it every day during my own walk. However, I don't want to offend by asking if I can walk the dog as it may appear that I am hinting to the owner that it is not getting walked enough. Do you think it would be considered rude to ask to walk this dog and if not how best could I approach the question without causing offence? Btw, I only know the owner to see and say hello to but he knows I am local and a keen dog owner/walker.

Why not ask him if he would like to join you on a dog walk to help socialise the pup and see how the conversation goes from there - it may lead into you being able to say you would be willing to walk the pup if the owner couldnt.......

what i was going to suggest as well. "what a lovely puppy...would she maybe like to come out for a play with my lot?..." type of thing.

Are you taking into consideration that puppies only need be walked to the thumb rules of 5 mins per month of age, the puppy may well be getting it's appropriate walking times. I'm sure you are not watching the house every minute.

Also not too sure how I would feel about a complete stranger knocking on my door asking if they could take my dog for a walk, I would be more inclined to thinking they were hoping to steal my dog. i would also find it strange to have a stranger invite me to walk with their dogs, infact not quite sure what I would think, everything from he/she is hitting on me onwards?

People often jump to wrong conclusions about things as they don't know others working hours or routines, the puppy may even have a bad leg or medical problem. Or it may not be being walked at all, who knows.................

If you are really concerned then by all means when you bump into this person just make conversation at what a lovely pup they have but I would not mention walking it at all, unless throughout the conversation it is obvious the owner would like help or has worries themselves about lack of exercise, I certainly would not knock on someones door with such strange requests though.

If you really feel there is some sort of neglect then there is always the RSPCA, but be warned there may not even be a problem but a lot of tittle tattle whispers of others going on.

As you don't know the owner that well they may not trust you to look after their dog on a walk.  Perhaps you could suggest they come round for a coffee whilst the dogs have a play date in your garden?  You could even hint that it would be doing you a favour too as socialisation is great for dogs of all ages.

This way you get a bit more time to get to know your neighbour; their routines and, their ideology.  Perhaps they walk at odd times or, if the puppy is still quite young they could be limiting exercise.  They may well be doing exactly the right things for their puppy but out of sight of the rest of you!

However well intentioned your motives it would be so easy to cause offence...

Why don't you try to 'bump' into the owner and offer to show him the local walks etc with your dog? if he is a new dog owner he might not know of them. You could also say it would be a good chance to let the dogs socialise? I agree though that if the dog is very young they may be limiting walks at the moment but you could still let it play with your dog.

Yes, why not 'bump into' him and ask if you can walk together as your dog would love the company (assuming he would!). My across the road neighbour accosted me once when mine were puppies and at first I thought she was going to complain but it turned out she had a gorgeous Boxer the same age, pity he was so big and bouncy (as Boxers should be of course!) as he was just too bouncy to go on walks with my Cavalier and cocker as puppies.

I think some may be confused the Davemac states  he's a close neighbour not a stranger knocking the door!
I think its great idea, we had new person move in my OH met him and by the time he got back we knew all about where he works and how long he's had his dog, didn't find out if he was married ect not a man thing...
Its great to say " see you have dog fancy a walk?"  And adding if not you know Im quite happy to take said pup with mine if your busy???

Could be the start of a great dog walking circle. I have meet 5 other owners here and we meet up most mornings, some times only 1 sometimes all 5 we have a great laugh, and discuss TV whose up to what and the stae of the world, politics ect. Were all matureish but have a new girlie walker just about to start her degree in law.. Its great, problem is now adays we are all so scared to go up and talk to people. Give it a go Davemac and good luck!!!

Tha danger with offering to walk the dog for them is the owners could come to rely on you & before you know it you are walking the dog all the time.
Much better to suggest a play date. Maybe you could get a few dog owners to come to your house/the park and drop round to the owner and say "i notice you have a new dog, we are all meeting in the park, be nice if you could join us" sort of thing. While the dogs are playing you will get a chance to talk to the owner and can judge lots by what his responces are.

Good plan Fred's mum.

As Carrington stated, large breed dogs do not need lots of walking as pups.

I think some may be confused the Davemac states  he's a close neighbour not a stranger knocking the door!


Btw, I only know the owner to see and say hello to but he knows I am local and a keen dog owner/walker.

This indicates a stranger to me! Our OP does not know what goes on in this persons routine or with his dog, if they chatted regularly they would, Careful, Careful, tippy toe is all that I am suggesting.