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Dogsitter complaining about normal dog behaviour

88 replies

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:12

We've just picked our dog up from a dogsitter we've used in the past. We've always thought she was a bit eccentric but today has left us feeling like the dog was just an inconvenience to her, for a number of reasons.

She's told us on past visits not to bring his bed as he sleeps on her bed with her, something she instigated on a previous stay. She then proceeded to complain about the lack of dog bed both on drop off and pick up (we offered to go back and get it when we dropped off but she said it didn't matter).

He was sick in her bedroom a couple of times which she complained about (he's been on meds for an ear infection which could have been the cause).

She tried to get grass out of his mouth and he snapped at her. She referred to him as being 'like a rottweiler' - he's a poodle cross! And what dog likes having things taken out of his mouth?!

She then went on and on about how she'd never have a poodle cross because they're all mad and she'll stick to pure breeds.

The final straw was her not telling us about a rate increase until we arranged a pick up time.

I've just been left with a bad feeling from someone I've just paid a reasonable amount of money to for a service. We've got a booking with her later in the year and I'm now feeling like I need to make other arrangements. Would it be unreasonable to cancel based on all of the above?

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 28/06/2024 08:20

In fairness, if a dog isn't used to having someone shove their hand in its' mouth to retrieve an item, it's not unnatural for them to panic and snap.

It's also very different to having their teeth examined by a vet.

I wouldn't even think to remove grass from my dog like that - if a so-called "professional" decided to do it then I'd wonder what the bloody hell they were thinking.

Gymmum82 · 28/06/2024 08:13

She sounds unreasonable in many aspects except the snapping. You should be able to remove something from your dogs mouth without getting bitten.
The vet may need to look in your dogs mouth to check his teeth etc and should be able to do this without a risk of being bitten. You need to train your dog

Floofydawg · 28/06/2024 06:54

olympicsrock · 28/06/2024 02:48

Most dogs are not sick often . You sound sound as if this happens quite often which yours ?

No, he's not sick often. He was on steroids and I think that's what made him sick.

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 28/06/2024 06:34

@Floofydawg if she's operating illegally then you can't really be surprised that she's acting unprofessionally imo.

Giantpaw · 28/06/2024 05:49

Sorry but you say ‘work on the snapping’ like it’s happened before. That’s absolutely not normal. Are you minimising the behaviour perhaps?

Unpopular opinion but most of the badly behaved dogs I work with are the moment are poodle crosses. Vast majority are snappy resource guarding crazy messes, if this is your dog then I’m not surprised she mentioned it.

I would find someone else regardless as she clearly doesn’t like him.

Alondra · 28/06/2024 03:57

TheFlis · 26/06/2024 22:48

I would have ditched her when she had your dog sleep on her bed. Dog sitters should help maintain a dogs normal routine where they can including sleeping where they normally do.

This 100%.

olympicsrock · 28/06/2024 02:48

Most dogs are not sick often . You sound sound as if this happens quite often which yours ?

Thedayb4youcame · 28/06/2024 02:26

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:22

Not the point of my post at all but thanks for your contribution! (He doesn't sleep on our bed).

Already paid the increased rate, didn't feel like we had a choice. She was like 'oh yeah I increased rates at Xmas, did I not tell you?' Er no.

I just find her very unprofessional given she's running a business.

I just find her very unprofessional given she's running a business.

There's a lot of it about. I carried on going to a terrible hairdresser for a lot longer than I should have, simply because she used to rant & rave about all the other clients who suddenly stopped going to her, without ever letting her know. I feared being another person who she would rant about if I stopped going 😆

Just because someone has a business doesn't mean they're professional. Chalk it up to her not being able to meet your needs, and recognising that plenty of other people must find her OK, and that the problem is with you, not her. It works for me @ any rate.

Toenailz · 28/06/2024 01:26

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:42

I think you've all confirmed what I thought - thanks.

Yes we do need to work on the snapping but as someone said, most dogs eat grass and there's no need to take it from them.

Most dogs don't go for people.

Had you made her aware prior that your dog goes for people?

Most dogs need something taken from their mouths at some point - from a safety point of view. It doesn't matter that it was grass on this occasion - it could have easily been something dangerous and important that your dog shouldn't have. It shouldn't be going for people!

The rest of the stuff - just sack it in. She does sound a pain in the backside. 100% disagree with the lax attitude to your dog going for people though, it's not normal, and it's not OK.

21ZIGGY · 27/06/2024 13:56

How strange to take the grass, did she say why? Poodles and poodleXs are notorious resource guarders.

Overall, i wouldnt send my dog back there, you'll only worry.

Floofydawg · 27/06/2024 13:52

fieldsofbutterflies · 27/06/2024 07:15

Is she a licensed dog boarder? If she's not (and it doesn't sound like she is) then she's breaking the law and operating without insurance.

No, I don't think she is. Another reason to cancel. We went with original gut feel, which was good. But she's showing her true colours now.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 27/06/2024 09:23

Sorry wrong thread!

ApolloandDaphne · 27/06/2024 09:23

This is ours with the block then gravel on honeycomb grid. It's very neat.

Dogsitter complaining about normal dog behaviour
fieldsofbutterflies · 27/06/2024 07:15

Is she a licensed dog boarder? If she's not (and it doesn't sound like she is) then she's breaking the law and operating without insurance.

Floofydawg · 27/06/2024 07:09

I also agree with her re poodle crosses, the parks, streets etc where I live are filled with poo x breeds and they are a bloody nightmare.

Nightmare in what way? That's a bit of a generalisation.

OP posts:
EricHebbornInItaly · 26/06/2024 22:58

No I wouldn’t have her pet sit again because you feel uncomfortable with her, but I would work on the snapping, I wouldn’t call a dog that snaps ‘well trained’.

I also agree with her re poodle crosses, the parks, streets etc where I live are filled with poo x breeds and they are a bloody nightmare.

Noseybookworm · 26/06/2024 22:56

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:45

@Noseybookworm because she gets booked up and might have turned down other bookings because our dog is booked in. Was just trying to do the right thing.

As long as you give her notice of the cancellation in plenty of time, as per your contract with her, it shouldn't be a problem.

OperationGoldDawn · 26/06/2024 22:55

@Floofydawg to many red flags on this

Undisclosedlocation · 26/06/2024 22:53

You need to do the right thing by your dog, not the sitter
Putting him in the charge of someone who is so monumentally stupid they will root around in the mouth of a dog they don’t know that well for some grass and then complain about it when things go wrong has no business around your family pet
What if she did it again (or something equally dumb) and he bit her? She could report him as a dangerous dog and bring untold heartbreak to your household

ToxicChristmas · 26/06/2024 22:51

She wouldn't be someone I would leave my dog with personally. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Cancel the booking and find someone more professional. The bed thing would have been an immediate no for me.

TheFlis · 26/06/2024 22:48

I would have ditched her when she had your dog sleep on her bed. Dog sitters should help maintain a dogs normal routine where they can including sleeping where they normally do.

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:45

@Noseybookworm because she gets booked up and might have turned down other bookings because our dog is booked in. Was just trying to do the right thing.

OP posts:
Noseybookworm · 26/06/2024 22:43

You are buying a service from her. If you are not happy with that service, it's perfectly reasonable for you to go elsewhere! I don't see why you would think this is a problem?

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:42

I think you've all confirmed what I thought - thanks.

Yes we do need to work on the snapping but as someone said, most dogs eat grass and there's no need to take it from them.

OP posts:
ImPunbelievable · 26/06/2024 22:32

They do sounds nuts but k do think you should work with your dog on the snapping. Ours are taught from puppyhood to be ok with their mouths being handled exactly so we can get things out when needed to, check their teeth, look at injuries etc.