Dog walker question

codemonkey

Our dog walker is brilliant and the dog loves him. He always arranges cover for when he's not able to do it himself, e.g. if he's ill or on holiday. And this is where I'm not especially happy. Most of the time, it's ok because we're not at home, and they let themselves in with the key and take the dog out. But because of a medical issue, sometimes I work from home and a couple of times, I've been a bit taken aback by some random letting themselves into the house and taking the dog.

I don't actually mind him using cover, as I understand that he's human and needs holidays, sick leave etc. I trust him to do the relevant security checks and so on, and the dog always gets a decent walk. I'd just rather he warned me, because quite apart from anything else, I'm worried that at some point I'm going to get a fright and go at one of them with a sledgehammer in my hand.

Do you think it seems a little neurotic to ask him to let me know when it's not going to be him coming round for the dog?

jimmy_81

No, I don't think it's neurotic at all

If they're giving the keys to somebody you've never met, it's very reasonable for them to inform you they're doing so. I'd just ask for a quick call or text ahead of time, on the occasions they use cover...

Person_one

I'd definitely ask that you be informed when someone different is coming for the dog. I'd also want some information about how these people are selected and what checks are in place.

Gold_Dust_2

codemonkey wrote: »

Do you think it seems a little neurotic to ask him to let me know when it's not going to be him coming round for the dog?

Absolutely not. I'd think it was weird if you didn't, tbh. And that was irresponsible on his part, too.

Katiehound

I would certainly want to know who was going to be both in charge of my dog and in charge of my house keys! I would have thought it would have been second nature to say " I shall not be coming tomorrow but XXX will- and a very brief resume of who Mr/Mrs/Ms XXX is! You are paying after all.

gettingready

He absolutely should let you know in advance any time that someone else is going to be taking your dog out//have your keys.

Mojisola

codemonkey wrote: »

He always arranges cover for when he's not able to do it himself, e.g. if he's ill or on holiday.

Most of the time, it's ok because we're not at home, and they let themselves in with the key and take the dog out.

But because of a medical issue, sometimes I work from home and a couple of times, I've been a bit taken aback by some random letting themselves into the house and taking the dog.

I'd want to know every time someone else was coming to the house, whether I was going to be there or not.

A text is so easy these days, it's not much trouble.

rising_from_the_ashes

Seriously ..... I would be absolutely LIVID if some random person came to take my dog out - that I know nothing about and has maybe never met the dog before .... not to mention a total stranger having keys to my house that I've never met

My dog walker would no longer be my dog walker if he did that even once!

ihateyes

personally, unless i was medically incapable, i wouldnt have anyone walk my dog.

I have heard too many stories of dogs going missing when out with dog walkers....

Also reading the above, i wouldnt let any randoms near my house....

Mojisola

ihateyes wrote: »

personally, unless i was medically incapable, i wouldnt have anyone walk my dog.

I have heard too many stories of dogs going missing when out with dog walkers....

Also reading the above, i wouldnt let any randoms near my house....

Our dog walker is absolutely fabulous - our dog goes crazy when she arrives because he loves her so much - and she is very capable. She's been walking dogs for years and hasn't lost one yet.

ihateyes

Mojisola wrote: »

Our dog walker is absolutely fabulous - our dog goes crazy when she arrives because he loves her so much - and she is very capable. She's been walking dogs for years and hasn't lost one yet.

Im sure they are! again i love walking my boy, and enjoy watching him having fun with his collie friend running around like ejits. i love the walking aspect of it.... when my old boy died last year, inbetween him, and my new boy i didnt know what to do with myself, when it wouldve been walk time!

Dog walkers provide a service, a service people need unfortunately.