Puppy back from dogsitter smelling of smoke

CFC

I think you're over-reacting, but that's fine, because it's YOUR dog, you're entitled to have your own choices in life!

Heavens sake don't spin her a line about smokey bonfires, just simply say - sorry I am a non smoker, I didn't realise that you were a smoker, the pooch smelled of smoke when I brought him home and I don't like the smell. So although I think you're great with the dog, it's not going to work out for me.

Apart from anything else, bonfires don't even remotely smell like fags. Unless you have no nostrils.

Fire_Fox

catkins wrote: »

Thanks for all of your replies. I am glad that you don't think me and OH are over reacting. As I say, we were both upset and a bit annoyed but my friend thought we were being ridiculous.

I am not sure how we will mention it as we don't want to upset her. She is a lovely person and, even if we don't get her to dogsit any more, we will still want her to bath and groom our dog.

The problem is, as another poster has said, even if she says they won't smoke around him how do we know she will stick to this? It may be that we only use her for daytime care as she does this at her workplace and use a different sitter for any overnight stays.

She has got a dog of her own so presumably her and/or her boyfriend smoke around him.

Whether you believe she will stick to it is how she reacts and simple trust, it's no different to asking someone not to give your children sweets or suchlike. At the end of the day many smokers are very considerate people, tho some are thoughtless and some are plain ignorant. She is a professional so within reason she should respect your way of managing your puppy even if she thinks you are being OTT. If the puppy smells again you will know and that would be totally unacceptable.

Sambucus_Nigra

CFC wrote: »

I think you're over-reacting, but that's fine, because it's YOUR dog, you're entitled to have your own choices in life!

Heavens sake don't spin her a line about smokey bonfires, just simply say - sorry I am a non smoker, I didn't realise that you were a smoker, the pooch smelled of smoke when I brought him home and I don't like the smell. So although I think you're great with the dog, it's not going to work out for me.

Apart from anything else, bonfires don't even remotely smell like fags. Unless you have no nostrils.

It's called 'getting an in' - when you have no idea of how to broach a subject, act deliberately 'blonde'. :T:T:T

withabix

Just find another dog sitter and move on.

CFC

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

It's called 'getting an in' - when you have no idea of how to broach a subject, act deliberately 'blonde'. :T:T:T

It's called beating round the bush and probably being totally incomprehensible to the person on the other end of the communication.

This is a business transaction, treat it as such, person is great with the dog, great with the grooming, but a smell of cigarettes is a no no for the OP.

podperson

OP - no matter how nice this woman may be she is not watching your dog as a friend doing you a favour - she is a professional that you are paying for a service. There is nothing wrong with saying if you have concerns about how she is carrying that service out.
If you used a childminder and your kids came home stinking of smoke would you just not say anything as long as the childminder was nice? (before anyone jumps on the 'pets are not children' bandwagon - I know, it was simply an example!) Even if you aren't worried about passive smoke effects then puppies have sensitive eyes and nose which can be easily irritated by smoke so she could be making it very uncomfortable by smoking around it.

Hillbilly1

I would question the care altogether.

Other people have mentioned she is a "professional", but if she is leaving her bf in charge... are they both insured for pet sitting, is their cover for vet bills caused at their premises, do you know who walks him?

The smoking may have just opened your eyes to a possibly shody situation. I understand your trust, but being a pet sitter requires more than just trust.

FattyBettyBoo

My Dad's next door neighbours cat used to come into his house and lie next to him along the radiator facing the TV while my Dad had a fag and a cup of tea. Did this for years.

Then one day the neighbours called to him over the fence and asked him politely if he refrain from smoking in the house while their cat was there as the cat was now black & white on one side and black & yellow on the other!

butlinsmum

I don't think you are over reacting at all. I wouldn't be happy if it was my dogs. As far as I understood it there is a workplace ban on smoking in "substantially enclosed" public spaces.

See you said she is having work done on the house so maybe it was a workman rather than your dogsitter or her boyfriend?

Hillbilly1

Thought I'd just add that in practice we have had more people give up smoking for their pet than for ant other member of the family!

May be the push the dog sitters partner needs!