What is BarkUp?
BarkUp is a local dog-walking community app. It helps owners find compatible dogs nearby, share the details that matter for a walk and arrange calmer introductions in public places.
BarkUp FAQ
The sensible questions, answered.
BarkUp is open and these are the questions people ask most. Where something is still changing, we say so rather than pretend certainty.
01
Getting started
Is BarkUp open?
Yes. BarkUp is open to everyone in the UK. Create a free account at app.barkup.co, add your dog and start finding walking company straight away.
How do I get started?
Sign up with your email address, confirm it, and confirm you are 18 or over. Then add your dog, set your walking area and browse compatible dogs nearby. It takes a few minutes.
Why is my area quiet?
Discovery stays empty until at least five households are active near you. That is deliberate: in a sparse area, showing two results would identify those two people. It fills in as your area grows.
How old do I need to be?
BarkUp is for adults aged 18 and over. You confirm your age at sign-up, and adult identity verification is available as an extra trust layer for meetups.
02
Safety & privacy
Will other members see my exact location?
No. Discovery uses broad local areas, not public home pins or continuous live location. Other members see a distance band, never a coordinate. A specific public meeting point is shared deliberately for a planned walk.
What does identity verification mean?
It means checking that the person behind a dog profile is a real adult. Verification reduces some types of misuse, but it is not a background character reference and cannot guarantee how someone will behave.
What if another member makes me uncomfortable?
You can block contact and report the relevant profile, message or conduct from anywhere they appear in the app. If anyone is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services first; BarkUp is not an emergency service.
Does a BarkUp match mean two dogs are guaranteed to get along?
No. Matching provides useful compatibility signals, not a guarantee. Owners remain responsible for their dogs and should use calm, on-lead introductions with enough space to leave.
03
Profiles & walks
Why is my dog the visible identity?
Your dog’s temperament, pace and preferred kind of company are what make a walk work. BarkUp keeps that information prominent without requiring owners to turn their personal lives into public social content.
Is BarkUp a dog dating app?
No. BarkUp is about compatible walking company and local community. It is not for breeding, animal sales or human dating.
Can I organise a group walk?
Yes. Community walks are live. Organisers set the public meeting point, intended pace, route details and group size, and approve each request to join. One-off and repeating walks are both supported.
What are trails, places and hazard reports?
Trails are routes members save with their real distance, terrain, elevation and the practical details - gates, steps, road crossings, livestock, water access, whether it works off lead. Places are curated vets, dog parks, drinking water, waste bins and pet shops shown on the map and along a route. Hazard reports are short-lived community warnings about flooding, livestock, broken glass, a blocked path or a loose dog; other walkers confirm or clear them, and each type expires on its own within 14 days at most.
Can reactive or nervous dogs use BarkUp?
BarkUp is inspired by dogs who benefit from more considerate introductions. Owners must describe needs honestly and decide whether any particular meeting is appropriate. The app cannot replace professional veterinary or behavioural advice.
04
Cost & your account
Is BarkUp free?
Yes. Creating an account, adding your dogs, discovering nearby matches, messaging your connections and joining community walks are all free. BarkUp is supported by voluntary donations, and any paid feature would be explained clearly before anyone was asked to choose it.
What emails will I receive?
Account email only: address verification, password resets and anything you have to action. BarkUp does not send daily marketing and does not sell your address as an advertising list.
How do I delete my account?
From Settings in the app. Deleting removes your profile, your dogs and your walking area. Messages you sent to other people are handled as described in our privacy notice.
Still curious?
The best answer is a walk.
Create a free account and see how BarkUp works for your dog. It takes about a minute.
- 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.
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