Dog Walker is ill.... Help Pls

Wellyboots6

With my dog I currently can't have a dog walker as he wouldn't let anyone else in the house!

If I were to get a dog walker and they were off sick then for safety I would have to say not to get someone else to cover. I would much rather they let me know they couldn't walk him, and then I would come home from work rather than risk someone else trying to cover the situation.

Maybe discuss with each dog owner individually how they would like the situation to be handled.

You may find they have a friend or neighbour etc they would be happy for you to contact to let the dog out for a wee if you were unable to.

I think each situation with each client is going to be different to be honest.

gettingready

Mojisola wrote: »

Both owners and walkers have to have a back-up. The first line to fall back to should be whatever the walker can arrange but the owners also need to have another option.

Dog walkers also need to have someone else with an up-to-date list of contacts so, if they unable to contact owners themselves, someone else will let the owners know the dogs won't be visited.

jetplane wrote: »

Don't you think that if someone chooses to have a dog and work long hours then they should be responsible enough to have their own contingency plans?

That is why I now use a company that can provide that back up in case the regular walker is off sick.

I am simply not in a position to take time off at short notice and have nobody that could step in - in case dog walker calls in sick on the day or even a day before . And leaving dog without a walk for nearly 11 hours is not an option.

I know some people perhaps live close to work, can pop in to let the dog out at lunchtime or have family/friends that can step in - I do not not.

So from my point of view, my back up in using a company who can provide a back up.

Really see OP's dilema here if working on her own, and again - she has done really well in the situation.

Hope you feel better soon Tankgirl xx

Spirit_2

I think you have done really well in trying to help your clients. I would be very happy with what you have done and expect to pay you. I get paid when I am 'off sick' and would want to treat people who help me in the same way. if clients have to pay for alternative care they may not be able to afford the sick pay though.

Agree with the suggestions that you make clear when taking on a new client what the 'standby' arrangements are.

gettingready

When I had a "single" dog walker - I was paying her for Bank Holidays, Xmas, easter same as I was getting paid for those days.

With the company now I get an invoice and pay whevere they charge me and the do charge rather a lot...

nickj_2

Sagz wrote: »

Sorry to hear you are not well, hope you feel better soon x

As an owner who has used walkers in the past, I think I'd feel a bit let down (sorry!) and worried that it would happen again. Giving refunds is a good move, but as an owner I'd want some sort of assurance that it wan't going to happen again.

I know I had doubts about one walker (the dogs were only ever dirty when she was on duty, fine when others were on) and that led me to swap walking services.

Is there any other local dog walkers that you could set up emergency cover with? So you'd cover their visits if they were ill and they'd cover yours?

so do you actually know anyone who has never been ill in their lives ?it happens - it's life , people get ill, or have other reasons why they can't attend to your dog, it's not the end ofthe world unless the person is unreliable and makes a habit of not turning up

MatyMoo

I am lucky that my dog walker has never gone off sick and is prepared to come out in all weathers.

But, for her safety, when we have had snow I have worked a short day and walked him myself before and after work.

I also know that he can go from 7.30 am (morning walk) to 5.30pm (evening walk) without a toilet break as some days, when I come home for lunch, he doesn't even want to go out in the garden!

I am lucky that I can get home at lunchtime but I have a dog walker 2 days a week so that I can either work through if needed or go and do my shopping. It also breaks up his week and get him extra socialisation with other dogs.

If she was off sick she would not expect paying. I know I am lucky that I can get home at lunchtime.

Sagz_2

nickj wrote: »

so do you actually know anyone who has never been ill in their lives ?it happens - it's life , people get ill, or have other reasons why they can't attend to your dog, it's not the end ofthe world unless the person is unreliable and makes a habit of not turning up

Of course I accept that people get ill, but as I was paying for a service that I considered necessary for my dogs welfare it would worry me that there was no back-up.

Mojisola

Sagz wrote: »

Of course I accept that people get ill, but as I was paying for a service that I considered necessary for my dogs welfare it would worry me that there was no back-up.

So that's a question you ask before starting with that person and, if the answers don't suit you, go with someone else.