Looking for some help in trying my dog-friendly places app and giving feedback

[MyPAWfectPlace]

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Hi,

I am a new member of the forum with an 11-year-old Schnoodle called Lily.

I hope I am not breaking any forum rules, but I’m trying to get some dog owners and dog-friendly businesses to give me feedback on my new website and mobile apps.

The problem statement: As a dog owner, I was fed up when visiting a new area, spending half of my time asking if my dog was allowed. Even many official websites lack the basic information or have it hidden deep in a complex T&C page. This could be pubs, cafes, attractions, or even struggling with seasonal beach restrictions.

This is why I created MyPAWfectPlace, to try and provide a good free UK-based resource. I am madly creating listings so that it may be sparse in some areas, but I generally wanted to see how it works and if it is useful, missing something, etc.

This is not owned by a company just myself trying to fill a gap in my spare time. The concept is that it is free to use as a dog owner and even free for businesses to add listings.

It would be great if someone could help and give views on what I have done so far - search “MyPAWfectPlace” and you should find it.

 

[JoanneF]

I've had a quick look as I travel a lot with my dog, and I know a lot of places that are dog friendly (so I was able to see how well populated your site is). And that's where it was a bit lacking. It looks okay so far, but in the places I've visited over the last few months, most of the dog friendly locations either are missing, or are places I wouldn't even think of asking about - beaches for example. I'd assume they were dog friendly unless I knew otherwise. I realise it's in its infancy, but it's too sparse to be useful yet.

You also suggest people add dog-friendly places they have found and that's fine, as long as those places are happy to be added.

 

[MyPAWfectPlace]

Thanks for the feedback.
I get the sparse bit and am working on it with the help of a few early adopters
Your comment about beaches was interesting, as I think there is a significant problem between March and September in the UK as the rules differ all around the UK

 

[JudyN]

@JoanneF, you must be lucky with lack of beach restrictions where you are! One difficulty with beaches is that not only do the restrictions change at different times of year, there can be fairly small restricted areas - turn left and dogs are banned, turn right and dogs can be off lead for the next 200 yards. Plus dogs may be permitted on lead but not offlead, or permitted in early morning and evening but not during the busier times of day. You possibly want to make it clear that people should check on the local council website to confirm restrictions rather than have people assume that a beach appearing on your app would be accessible all times of year and day.

I've only had time for a quick look, but the circles on the map appear to be colour coded - green, yellow and reddish. I wondered at first if it could indicate the type of attraction, but think it is just an indication of the number of attractions listed. I wonder if the colour coding is actually useful? Though I suppose it could indicate whether a place is good for dogs in general... though this will only work when your map is better populated.

 

[JudyN]

Actually, I've realised that the map is more populated than I thought. At first glance there seemed to be nothing for Dorset at all, but a lot of places appeared when I zoomed in (and linked to, for example, 'Poole Beaches', where you do give more info about the restrictions).

My mistake was probably more down to my unfamiliarity with using this type of app than anything wrong with the app itself!

 

[JudyN]

Oh, and (soz - multitasking) if you haven't already, you might want a disclaimer to say that rules change and people should confirm the info on the app before travelling.

 

[MyPAWfectPlace]

@JudyN Thanks for the comments.
The low-level markers are coded for the three categories: things to do, eating and accommodation, but at the higher level, the numbers indicate a cluster - typical map marker behaviour (maybe add a video to my todo list, on how to use the website and mobile apps).

The disclaimer is a good call. I have a report problem button, but I should probably tweak the words.