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Original poster

Dog walker took drinks

64 replies

Threecacti · 07/07/2023 18:11

I have someone who comes in to walk my dog and let the cat out when I am on a long office day. They are quite new to me and have been with me about 6 weeks.

They seem reliable and always turn up when planned. I pay by BACS either on the day or the next day, never been late or need to be chased to pay.

However, I noticed I had some drinks on top of the fridge which have been disappearing a can at a time when they come round. I don't drink them (I use then for guests) so I know I haven't accidentally had more than planned, and no-one else has been here.

I honestly don't begrudge the dog walker having one but I did think it was a bit off that they didn't ask? I would never take something like that from a client personally.

Would you say something? It has been hard to find someone so I don't want to seem like I'm being confrontational

YABU - it's fine just leave them to take it
YANBU - Say or do something

OP posts:
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OkImListening · 08/07/2023 00:16

KateJohns · 07/07/2023 18:31

Wouldn't bother me in the least, unless it's particularly expensive cans of drink.
Just random cans of Pepsi or Sprite, have at it dog walker, especially on hot days.

This ⬆️. When I walk my dogs in this weather, I'm desperate for a drink when I get back. You don't divulge what drink it is but if only cans of pop I'd be absolutely fine with that.

echt · 07/07/2023 22:02

Is the dog walker the one you employed?

I ask this because back in the day I employed a walker through a company, met them, etc. I found out within two walks that they were sub-contracting to another walker, so handing on my keys and details and possibly compromising my insurance.

I dropped them like a stone and dobbed them in to the company.

meatbaseddessert · 07/07/2023 21:52

There's a whole Curb Your Enthusiasm episode about exactly this! Larry is horrified a doctor on a home visit helps himself to a can of lemonade in the fridge.
He is then in a friends house who doesn't offer any snacks so remembering the doctor and that this appears to be acceptable behaviour he open a pack of ham and makes himself a sandwich from the fridge. Host finds out and tells everyone at a dinner party. Everyone is disgusted at his 'stealing' and he argues the doctor took lemonade. Everyone says 'liquids are okay'.
Poor La! Grin

Lacucuracha · 07/07/2023 21:34

They would have lost my trust too.

As you say, if they had asked you would have put them in the fridge so they could have a cold one.

I’d not replace the drinks and I definitely wouldn’t ask if they want cold drinks, they’ll start help themselves to more than drinks. How many are left?

Crumpleton · 07/07/2023 21:32

KateJohns · 07/07/2023 18:31

Wouldn't bother me in the least, unless it's particularly expensive cans of drink.
Just random cans of Pepsi or Sprite, have at it dog walker, especially on hot days.

It's thieft, unless they've been told to help themselves.

Unless the dog walker lives miles away and has no concept of what the weather will be like in that area I'm sure they're well aware that it's hot outside and can take their own can or use a refillable bottle if out for any length if time and refill with tap water.

Whowhatwherewhenwhy1 · 07/07/2023 21:28

It is theft. I would not trust then in my home again. How do you know they are not pilfering other stuff?

2bazookas · 07/07/2023 21:24

What else are they helping themselves to, that you haven't noticed yet?

I'd get a new dogwalker ; trust is gone.

Wanderingfree32 · 07/07/2023 21:24

I'd see it as a breach of trust and it would put me off having them in my house again.

HeckyPeck · 07/07/2023 21:19

If you'd left one can on the side, I could get that they might think it was for them, but reaching up and taking a can off the top of someone fridge is completely different!

Idrankyourbananamilk · 07/07/2023 21:18

wutheringkites · 07/07/2023 20:51

Interesting comment for someone with your username Smile

Show quote history

😂

Irridescantshimmmer · 07/07/2023 21:08

They need the CF...er of the year award.

Thats theft.
They took without consent and need a kick up the ass because of it.

Lock the booze up.

Fuckitydoodah · 07/07/2023 20:57

A drink of water or squash, absolutely fine, but I would be a bit peeved if they repeatedly helped themselves to cans of drink. I think I'd move the drinks and hope that was the end of it, rather than bringing it up. If they're otherwise doing a good job.

bussteward · 07/07/2023 20:53

I think the theory that other clients have a “help themselves” policy on cans of pop left out, and your walker did it unthinkingly, makes a lot of sense. It’s too weird otherwise but if it’s a muscle memory subconscious thing to grab a can at many of the houses, they’ll have done it without blinking.

wutheringkites · 07/07/2023 20:51

Idrankyourbananamilk · 07/07/2023 18:18

It’s a form of stealing. It’s not on. Unless you’ve said “help yourself to something to drink” they shouldn’t be taking any.

Interesting comment for someone with your username Smile

CantFindTheBeat · 07/07/2023 20:48

A ring-style doorbell indoor camera costs very little.
.

You're the one who thinks things are going missing.

If they're thirsty, have a glass of water.

What else are they doing or not doing???

User57632678373 · 07/07/2023 20:28

Are they alcoholic drinks or just regular OP? Only because my first thought is if it’s the former then likely a bigger issue at hand, but if they’re just regular drinks then yes that’s very strange indeed

Original poster
Threecacti · 07/07/2023 20:13

It does feel like a trust thing I agree.

I adore my dog and I'm actually less upset that a potentially untrustworthy person is in my house than that they are in charge of my dog.

Its just so weird as I didn't get that vibe at all when I met them, if anything they were very shy. I'd have thought it'd be an over confident person who would do something like that.

OP posts:
Thoughtful2355 · 07/07/2023 20:02

Its not okay, They need to ask before they take ANYTHING, whats next? helping themself to food? or money lying around?

Potentialmadcatlady · 07/07/2023 19:56

Im a dog walker. If I was thirsty and had nothing in my car I would drink a glass of tap water and wash out the glass. Anything else is stealing. I would get someone new

MumblesParty · 07/07/2023 19:54

cloudsandream · 07/07/2023 19:17

Loads of dramatic replies on this thread over a can of soda. What they gonna steal next? Cameras? Really??

OP if they’re out of the way like you said, sure, it’s strange, but i wouldn’t be bothered if the dog walker was as good as you say and hadn’t been tampering with anything else.

No need for the dramatics or fuss, make a light joke out of it and leave out some water for them instead.

Soda?

MumblesParty · 07/07/2023 19:53

Mindymomo · 07/07/2023 18:18

If you are leaving them out on fridge and dog walker has to go in kitchen, I would say they probably think you’ve left them for them to have. Reliable dog walkers are hard to get, so If you don’t want the person taking them, put them away.

I have a cleaner. I’ve got a radio on top of my fridge, and a grating gadget. Does that mean she’s entitled to take them?

stbrandonsboat · 07/07/2023 19:53

I'm a dog walker and I'd never take any food/drink unless it was accompanied by a note telling me to take them - like chocolate at Christmas. People leave all kinds out, like money and diamond rings on window sills! A dog walker needs to be trustworthy.

Cherryana · 07/07/2023 19:47

*dog walker not dog water.

Cherryana · 07/07/2023 19:47

If your dog walker wanted a drink - then a glass of tap water = no issue.

Taking a can of drink is a character thing and would be difficult for me to reconcile really.

You can play it three ways - buy some cans of drink for the dog water and leave with a note that they can help themselves to these.

You can ask them directly if they have taken it and say you had brought it for someone specific eg your aunt who was coming to visit and you would politely request that they don't take them in the future.

You sack them and find someone who doesn't take your stuff.

Irequireausername · 07/07/2023 19:33

It's just not something worth risking. They could get reviews of being a thief, there could be cameras that go on social media, potentially losing a source of income, or at least worsening your relationship with a client. None of that is worth stealing a can of pop.

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