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The doghouse

Feeling really guilty

29 replies

cannotchillout · 16/04/2019 20:25

So 2 days into a week long holiday abroad.
Have employed a dog sitter to have our 8 month old pup in our house for the week, which incidentally costs a fortune.
I was promised that they wouldn’t leave the dog for more than 4 hours a day, usually split into 2 or 3 episodes.
I don’t think they realise we have cctv outside our house, and feeling very worried I checked the camera.
They left her for 3 hours this morning, 2 hours this afternoon and it’s been 2 hours already this evening and still no sign of them.
My puppy is usually left a maximum of 3 hours perhaps 3 times a week. Certainly not 7 hours in a day.
My friend just popped in to drop something off (she has a spare key) and has found the dog in a state. She’s chewed some chunks out of a door (which she has never done previously) and ransacked my house, probably out of boredom. Think cushions pulled off the sofa, rugs scrunched up.
I’m not very happy but feel awful as they’ll know I’ve spied on them if I mention it.
In their defence they have taken her for 3 walks today, 30 minutes each time, but she is not used to being left and now I’m on holiday and can’t relax and feel really guilty.
My friend can’t have her for me as she’s got a dog of her own that is dog reactive and a small child herself.
Wish I’d used kennels now as I know I’ll be checking the cctv all week.

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cannotchillout · 16/04/2019 20:29

She’s only little and must think she’s been abandoned.
These dog sitters have great reviews too and I’ve spent months building up a relationship with them. It’s a company where they have a few people on their books, but I’ve consistently had the same people.
I’ve used them numerous times, eg to stay for a couple hours while we went to a local theme park, and to dog sit while to went to a movie and dinner.

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JaneEyre07 · 16/04/2019 20:34

You have to be honest with them, that you're not paying for them to leave her alone for hours.

Just say a friend dropped in and found the dog in a state.

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cannotchillout · 16/04/2019 20:36

Yeah I think I will say something.
So bloody hard finding someone you can trust. And I’ve got another 5 days of holiday that I won’t enjoy as I’ll be worrying.

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cannotchillout · 16/04/2019 20:46

I’ve text them to say the dog is in a state and they’ve said they’ll go back round and were just walking another dog they get paid to walk. So god knows what time they’ll get back. It will probably be about 8+ hours she’ll have been shut in the tiny kitchen today. I’m not impressed.

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BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 16/04/2019 20:47

You have to say something your dog can’t cope for another 5 days like that, tough shit if they know you have been monitoring your dog (use that phrase rather than spying) loads of people have pet cams so you won’t be the first they have come across, they have not provided you with the service you have paid for and your dog is suffering, pull them up for it, it’s disgraceful, and tell them you will be continuing to ‘monitor’ your dog to make sure they don’t leave them alone like that again.

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BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 16/04/2019 20:48

Are they affiliated to any official body? If so I would report them.

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cannotchillout · 16/04/2019 20:50

They’re insured and hold animal care qualifications. But they’re not council registered as don’t need to be as they pet sit in other peoples houses.
I’m just furious that she’s being neglected and I’m hours away on a plane so can’t even do anything about it.

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JaneEyre07 · 16/04/2019 23:10

Sadly OP the same pattern will follow for the rest of the time if they're walking other dogs too.......

Is there any family or friends you could call on to help you out and rescue the dog?

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Doggydoggydoggy · 17/04/2019 08:10

Who cares what they think about about ‘spying’.

I have CCTV also, inside and out, you bet I’d be checking it all day too, I would want to make sure everything was being done as planned and in your situation I would go barmy!

Utterly unacceptable, thank goodness for the CCTV else you’d have no idea they were doing this.

I would also say though, that if your dog isn’t really used to being left and is really young as you say, I don’t think a ‘pop in’ arrangement is a good idea, think in future she should stay with a family member or friend.

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fivedogstofeed · 17/04/2019 08:14

Are they meant to be actually staying in your house or just calling in?

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StrongTea · 17/04/2019 08:24

Poor pup, hope you can get something sorted out. Think I would go over their heads if possible and speak to whoever is the company owner. Get them to point out you have cctv and are aware of how long your dog has been left. At least you know not to use them again and can leave an honest review.

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cannotchillout · 17/04/2019 09:08

They’re meant to be staying in my house the whole time. 20 hours out of 24.
Hence we paid extra for someone to stay the whole tome in puppies own home.

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BiteyShark · 17/04/2019 09:12

That's awful OP.

Can you phone them and ask why they are leaving longer than you discussed and make it clear that wasn't what you arranged?

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rookiemere · 17/04/2019 09:29

You have to say something OP as that's simply not acceptable.

I know how much in house dog sitters cost and your pooch deserves better. We are away and Ddog is being looked after by a combination of upped dog walking hours and a lovely couple from borrowmydoggy house sitting ( but at work during the day) and we've been told he'd chewed a few things which is really not like him and most likely due to being on his own for 5 hrs rather than the max 4 he's used to.

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fivedogstofeed · 17/04/2019 09:53

Oh gosh no that's really not good enough.

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tinstar · 17/04/2019 09:54

I feel for you op. Very difficult line to tread to make the dog sitter fulfil her responsibilities but not piss her off too much when she's living in your home and caring for your dog.

Could you see if any local kennels have vacancies and ask your friend to take the dog in if they do?

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Nesssie · 17/04/2019 10:01

I'd be looking to get your money back if you can prove they aren't fulfilling their contract and what you agreed.
Not to scare you but this could trigger anxiety for her in the future.
Can your friend drop her off at a kennels or another dog sitter?

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Connieston · 17/04/2019 10:05

You're paying for a service this isn't a favour from a neighbour so you can simply say you know from CCTV that the dog is being left longer than agreed and is becoming distressed as a result, and please can they adhere to the agreed hours. Your dog's well-being is more important than a bit of awkwardness on a text.

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SlothMama · 17/04/2019 16:10

They are ripping you off OP, I'd be having stern words with them and went I got back I'd leave a very honest review. It's not okay to leave a puppy for that long particularly if they've been paid to take care of her 24/7. It's not spying lots of people have cameras now and they should be doing what they promised in the first place!

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Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 17/04/2019 17:02

Where about a roughly are you. Maybe someone on here can help?

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cannotchillout · 17/04/2019 17:28

I think I’m sorted.
Thank you though all.
A colleague at work has offered to come and stay.
He usually lives with parents so is glad to get a house to himself for a few days.
Going to put puppy in daycare for entire days each day and then friend will have her from 6pm til bedtime each night.

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Rolypolybabies · 17/04/2019 17:32

Great idea. Well done! Now enjoy your break

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mydogisthebest · 17/04/2019 17:33

I would be furious if I were you. My dogs are 5 and 6 but I still don't leave them for more than 4 hours on their own (and that is pretty rare). If your dog is a puppy no way should it be left anywhere near the length of time the supposed sitters are leaving it.

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BiteyShark · 17/04/2019 17:35

Glad you got it sorted. You can now enjoy the remaining bit of your holiday stress free.

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cannotchillout · 17/04/2019 17:39

Well I’m wondering if I read their website details correctly.
They say when dog sitting in your home your dog will not be left more than 4 hours. I’m wondering if they mean they won’t be left more than 4 hours at a time, so several times a day, but never more than 4 hours in one stretch.
I purposely checked with them how long she’d be left and they answered “no longer than 4 hours”
Maybe I was in the wrong and should have clarified what would happen?
Won’t be using them again.

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