I KNOW this in none of my business but is this reasonable?

I totally agree it’s stingy. I think what’s happened is that the couple have got it into their heads that your son wanted to take the dogs - for fun - and that they’re giving him a little gift (even if mentioned previously) on top. The amount isn’t any real form of payment, but generous if a gift.

For two weeks I would expect to pay someone (ie not professional company) probably around £250, although I think this clearly needs to be discussed and agreed before hand.

Private companies with all the insurances etc probably just over double that.

A young 23yr old probably more than $125 (I think that’s about £95), although not bad, looking after two dogs for two weeks a bit wide off the mark.

Lesson learnt for the future !

Actually I am not sure. From the OPs update they were actually on holiday with said couple while the son looked after the dogs, husband and couples husband close, they like the couple etc. I think it is actually possible this was a misunderstanding, and that when they said they would pay him it was always meant to be a gesture. In any case, the OP has made her peace with it and the son has learnt a lesson.

More likely just CFs.
OP’s son brought the dogs to OP’s house so there were no other overheads for the friends to consider.

That’s very different.
I used to look after a family member’s house and garden and pet during school summer holidays as the location is so lovely ( near Richmond Park)
We’d go to Museums & explore London by day and do lovely walks in park in evenings

Ds House sat old boss’s house for free and did cat / chicken sitting and gardening as again a beautiful location.

Why was no amount discussed beforehand?

Depends on the relationship. I've watched my friends/family friends pets for free as a favour to a friend. They squally bring a bottle of wine as a thank you.

I'd take this as a lesson learned. Next time set the price and then they can decide to take it or leave it. I think there might be very different expectation. A family friend doing a favour and getting a bit of pocket money vs. They're boarding their dogs at our house and need to pay the going rate.

YABU only because it wasn't agreed in advance. My niece looks after my dogs when I go away and I only cover food and drink for her, and a bit extra because she LOVES having a house to herself and her boyfriend comes and they have the whole place to themselves and play house. (she is 19). That works for us and obviously I would pay alot more for a house sitter. It's possible the neighbours thought it was something like that. Or probably more likley they are CFs. Either way too late now. A good lesson for your son to learn. Talking money is quite uncomfortable but people will take advantage sometimes and now he knows!

Use this as a learning experience.

He needs to put a realistic value against his time.

Get your son to look at professional dog minding contract templates (bound to be something like that online for him to review) and if he's asked again, whip out one of these contracts, printed off ready for use. Have a fixed daily rate, a rate for a mid-week use and for a full week clearly visible. If they want his services again (if anyone does), they pay his rates for his time.

CFs

if it happens again I would agree. Then at drop off when they are about to leave I’d explain that it’s $40/day or they take the dogs elsewhere.

Your son has looked after their two large dogs for less than $10 per day!

I think given the nature of the relationship if I were you I’d either feel I was going to cool it or say something. I think their behaviour is very disrespectful. Presumably they asked your son rather than him offering? “Hey you do realise if you’d used a professional you’d have been paying $1000+, DS rearranged his schedule and took such great care of the dogs, I think $125 really undervalues that”

Our local kennels would charge £420 and I assume a dog sitter would be more. I think £300 would have been reasonable.

Lesson learnt for your don discuss fee before agreeing!

If they ask next year he should say 'that's fine but it will be X amount let me know if you still want me. '

It’s not enough, but it’s a learning experience for you both. When my nephew house sat to look after dogs for a friend of Dh, I made sure dh indicated a suitable minimum daily payment beforehand.

I think they were very unreasonable but it is a lesson learned for him to agree a rate in advance

Pisstake and I would let them know I thought so.

It is a solid lesson for your son though - agree terms up front.

I once got stuck with a 'friends' dogs for 9 fucking weeks (and they were massive, giant breed) and I had to chase her for food money for them every week too. Didn't even get paid. I think she was in a bad situation and somehow decided I owed her as she once had my same breed dog (which she bred) for a week many years before... but the two situations were not remotely comparable.

That was my learning curve and as frustrating as it was, it was a valuable one!

Thank god! I'll leave that shit to Starmer

Then move on. You’re not in charge of what qualifies, 😂

IMO a drip feed is a revelation that significantly changes the OP. I don't think this qualifies

I’m guessing two weeks together was too much, the op doesn’t like the woman and she’s looking for a reason to fall out.

It probably is regulated if you are running a business. This guy was looking after the family friend's dogs, so not much different to a friend babysitting.

i dont think your update makes any difference!

it should be double