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Original poster

Nanny and dog poo

35 replies

JuliePoppins · 14/01/2019 22:56

Originally I wasn't a nanny. I was a tutor and music practice supervisor to a child. But gradually I became a nanny to the family.I study in mornings and as they need me only after school it works fine schedule-wise.

One day the family got a puppy. I don't mind dogs. I actually think they are cute. But I have no idea how to take care of them and especially I dislike the poo business... The family asked me if I disliked dogs. I told them my honest view - I liked them but I was not very keen on becoming a dog sitter/dealing with poo... They reassured me they would teach their DCs how to look after the dog including poo picking so I wouldn't need to do anything. They also found a day care for the dog so he only comes back home at around 5pm during weekdays.

However, the dog still poos at home. And when he pooed, the children call me and expect me to clear them. I told them their mum told me they would know how to do it so I wouldn't need to do clearing poo. They seem to know what to do actually, but probably don't want to do it, and still expect me to pick them and wipe the floor and so on.

I feel guilty to tell them to do it, even though the parents said it's their job. They are so brilliant to make an excuse why I should do it/they can't do it... But I really really dislike DEALING WITH POO!!!

As a nanny, I do some light house-keeping such as dishes and tidying kids' laundries. Then leaving poo on the floor seems to be also my job... But is't it?? Do you think refusing to clear dog poo as a nanny is unreasonable behaviour?? Today I left poo on the floor and the mum cleared when she's back home...

But I do feel their request becomes endless. I even use my car to taxi the children for after school clubs. And now dog poo?? Really???

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Bringbackthestripes · 20/01/2019 21:44

Dog needs to be in the garden on a lead which screws into the ground. Or in a pen outside

A puppy outside all day in winter would get hypothermia! It was -0.5 here on Friday.

Paper for a pup is quite normal, in the middle of a busy hall is not, but the pup needs to be frequently taken into the garden so it learns to go outside. No, it’s not usual to leave it all day, it really does need to be picked up straight away.
Sorry you have lost your job.

Nanny and dog poo
sh13 · 20/01/2019 21:23

She sounds like a right cow , your better off somewhere else where your appreciated I wouldn’t do that either x

Grannyannex · 16/01/2019 01:19

Dog needs to be in the garden on a lead which screws into the ground. Or in a pen outside.

Your car needs business insurance to transport the kids for work

loolooskip · 16/01/2019 01:01

Did you check your insurance policy for using your car? Mine didn't cover taking my charges in it.

JollyHolly30 · 16/01/2019 00:55

That's harsh! Has she just told you she'll look for someone else and that you're to continue working for them in the meantime?

ILoveChristmasLights · 16/01/2019 00:42

Wow. That’s particularly short sighted of them. They have someone they trust with their kids, their home, half their bloody life and they decide to replace them because they won’t pick up dog poo in the house, which they were told they wouldn’t do, BEFORE they opted to get a dog which goes to daycare all day anyway...🙄

It seems they’re not in any hurry to house train the dog then. Idiots.

Something else they can delegate...if they’re not careful one of them will end up hiring someone for marital activities 🙄

You’re not losing your job over dog poo, you're losing it because they don’t (yet!) appreciate what you’ve been been doing for them & because they haven’t given any thought whatsoever as to how you going will impact the kids. Selfish twats.

Check your contract and make sure they’re following the correct procedure and at least paying you properly.

I wouldn’t stay now even if they changed their minds. They’re treating you atriciously. Not even a face to face discussion to see if any agreement could be found.

Good luck to them finding someone to do everything you’ve been doing AND pick up dog poo for the foreseeable future. They’ll probably get the poor sod training the dog as well.

I feel upset and angry on your behalf, but also very much for the kids (and dog).

oldowlgirl · 15/01/2019 21:38

Their loss Op - you'll find a much better job.

itisitis · 15/01/2019 19:59

I have a cleaner and we've recently got a new puppy. I took two weeks off work to settle him in and begin the toilet training, and I'm now back at work, out of the house for 4 hours.

We've had him 8 weeks, and when the cleaner is due to come, pup goes to work with my partner because there is no way I would want her to come into my home and stand in poop. Whilst it's rare he does any accidents in the house now, it's not nailed on 100% that he won't do it. I do not believe it is my cleaners job to see to the pup. Nor do I believe it is yours to see to theirs.

Singlenotsingle · 15/01/2019 19:54

Not in the least bit unreasonable. The DPS are U if they expect you to clear it up. The dog ought to be put in the back garden as soon as it gets home, so that it can do its business outside. The mum might have problems getting a replacement nanny if she expects dog poo cleaning to be part of the duties!

Original poster
JuliePoppins · 15/01/2019 19:48

I just wanted to know if I'd been unreasonable for refusing clearing the dog poo.... I felt guilty when I said no.

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Original poster
JuliePoppins · 15/01/2019 19:46

He's 12, but yes still young. There could be another reason as you say. I am not a nanny after all. I kept accepting their endless requests and became the tutor, homework/music practice supervisor, taxi driver, chef, playmate, carer... I even entertained the children's friends. Just couldn't take up the dog sitter job on top...

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Believeitornot · 15/01/2019 19:06

I’m not sure about giving an 11 year old responsibility for dog mess.

Anyway, the issue is you’re not happy to. That doesn’t work for her....

Unless it’s just an excuse and she’s looking for another reason.

Original poster
JuliePoppins · 15/01/2019 13:40

The oldest is Y7. He is very much capable in my eyes...

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LittleLongDog · 15/01/2019 13:35

So is she giving you your notice? Such a shame. She obviously said she was ok with the arrangement but actually isn’t at all.

How old are the children?

Believeitornot · 15/01/2019 13:28

Well if the kids are at primary school, I think they’re too young to be dealing with the poo.

If I had a dog and a nanny I would expect th nanny to deal with the poo but I would check this before getting a dog!!! (Or nanny).

We held off getting pets when we had a nanny as didn’t want her to deal with them as that wouldn’t be fair.

Original poster
JuliePoppins · 15/01/2019 13:25

Now I seriously wonder if I am a minority and the majority of nannies are happy to deal with the dog poos.

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Original poster
JuliePoppins · 15/01/2019 13:24

Clearly the children isn't involved in the decision as they are still at school so the mum can't talk to them yet. It's the mum's decision 100%.

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Wallywobbles · 15/01/2019 13:17

Wow that's pretty shoddy

Original poster
JuliePoppins · 15/01/2019 13:14

Just to update...

I spoke to the mum earlier today about the poo issue. I like the family otherwise so I wanted to clear any misunderstanding of expectation. She was very nice and reassured me we were on the same page and she would talk to her children again to make them aware it's their responsibility.

However, I've just got a text from the mum and she said she would look for a dog friendly nanny who wouldn't mind taking care of it WITH CHILDREN (meaning, the children play with the dog, and the nanny does all the dirty jobs, I guess...).

Sounds like I've lost a job over the dog poo. Shock

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Original poster
JuliePoppins · 15/01/2019 00:07

They have a lovely garden!

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JuliePoppins · 15/01/2019 00:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Halfahunnerstillastunner · 15/01/2019 00:00

Does the house have a garden/access to some outdoor space? Somewhere easy to pop pup out - when you start it's every 30 minutes and after every sleep meal and play. Puppies are harder work than babies if it's done right

Halfahunnerstillastunner · 14/01/2019 23:58

Er no not normal at all, the entire point of toilet training is to teach your dog NOT to go in the house (and to "ask" when they need to go out). Even the most basic dog book or training will show how. Most pups manage it within a few weeks, barring occasional excited accidents or illness, once they are settled in with their family. It's actually quite stupid to teach them it's ok to toilet inside as then you can't take them to visit people, on holiday to dog friendly places etc as no one wants an untrained/wrongly trained dog crapping inside! They sound rather dim as owners.

oldowlgirl · 14/01/2019 23:56

That's just grim - no way should you have to clear that up.

Original poster
JuliePoppins · 14/01/2019 23:53

The children praise the dog and give a treat when the dog managed to poo on the mat so it seems part of toilet training. The mat is placed near the front door (hence the letters land on the mat...). Another mat is placed in the dog pen.

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