A better way to meet nearby

Find the right walking friends for your dog. Safely.

BarkUp is the local dog-walking community where your dog is the visible identity, your home stays private and introductions start with a proper walk.

How it works

A good first walk starts before the lead goes on.

BarkUp slows down the awkward bit: finding the right fit, sharing what matters and choosing a sensible first meeting.

Make your dog's profile

Share the details that matter on a walk: size, pace, play style, temperament and the sort of company they enjoy.

Find a good local fit

See compatible dogs in a broad nearby area. Your exact location and home address never become a pin on a public map.

Meet on a real walk

Start somewhere public, keep expectations clear and give both dogs room to settle into the walk at their own pace.

Walk through every step

Safety is the product

Safer connections from the very first hello.

BarkUp is built around the moments that matter: who is behind the profile, what strangers can see, and how quickly you can take control when something feels off.

Explore our safety approach

Adults, verified

BarkUp is 18+. Identity checks help make sure the human behind each dog is a real adult.

Home stays private

Discovery uses a rough local area. We do not place your home or live position on a public map.

Clear controls

Block, report and step away without having to explain yourself. Safety controls stay within easy reach.

Public first walks

Agree a public meeting point, keep the first walk on lead and leave whenever something does not feel right.

Made for real walks

The small details dogs notice.

Everything below is in the app today. No teasers, no roadmap padding-just the work that turns a match into a walk you both enjoy.

Finding the right dog

Dog-first profiles
Size, pace, energy, play style and the kind of greeting your dog actually copes with.
Compatibility-led discovery
Filter for the walk that suits, rather than whoever happens to be closest.
Private local matching
A broad area and a distance band. Never a pin on your home, never a live position.

Planning the walk

Community walks
One-off or repeating, with a public meeting point and the organiser approving each join.
Trails worth repeating
Mapped routes show elevation, terrain, gates, steps and road crossings.
Places along the way
Vets, dog parks, drinking water, waste bins and pet shops, shown against the route.

Staying safe out there

Live hazard reports
Flooding, livestock, glass or a blocked path, confirmed and cleared by other walkers.
Private messages
Text only, with a friend or someone on the same approved walk. Never strangers.
Controls that work
Adult verification, block and report on every card, and a real queue behind them.

See everything BarkUp does

Turbo The right dog, a little patience and room to settle can change the whole walk.

Why BarkUp exists

Built for Turbo-and dogs who deserve a kinder introduction.

Turbo is our loving, super-smart two-year-old dapple dachshund. He is happiest exploring woodland trails, splashing through streams and hiking up mountains-but new dogs and fast approaches can still feel overwhelming.

Too often, people judge him from one nervous reaction before he has time to settle. BarkUp began with a simple hope: help Turbo, and dogs like him, find patient and compatible walking friends who look beyond the first bark.

Meet Turbo and read our story

Good questions

A few things worth knowing.

Straight answers about how BarkUp works, what other people can see and what it will never do.

Does BarkUp show my exact location?

No. BarkUp uses broad local discovery, not precise public pins. Your home address and live location are never shown to other members.

Is BarkUp for dog dating?

No. BarkUp is for friendly, compatible walking company. Your dog is the visible identity and the focus stays on calmer introductions and better walks.

Can I use BarkUp today?

Yes. BarkUp is open. Create a free account, add your dog and start finding compatible walking company in your area.

Is it free?

Yes. Creating an account, adding your dogs, discovering nearby matches and joining community walks are all free. BarkUp is supported by voluntary donations.

Visit the full FAQ

BarkUp is open

Start walking together.

Create a free account, add your dog and find compatible walking company in your area today.

Free to join, no card needed
Your home address stays private
Leave or delete your account any time

Create your free account

Takes about a minute. You will need an email address and to confirm you are 18 or over.