To be annoyed with dog walking client?

[Picturebocks]

Have NC as this will out me.

I am a dog walker and walk a dog who, her owner warned me, has a habit of chewing through her lead.

She chewed through her lead a year or so back and did it again today.

I told her owner and he has blamed me for not paying attention whilst walking her. I told him that she simply turned around and bit through the lead in about a second.

He was very cross and told me I was careless and she could have been run over.

I'm so hurt - I explained what happened and he just went on about me being irresponsible and how much leads cost to replace etc.

He accused me of "stopping to chat to people" and said this is when the dog chews through his lead.

I didn't stop and chat as I don't have time - I have other dogs to pick up!

I love all the dogs I walk and would never put them at risk.

So sorry you are dissatisfied with my service Mr Smith, but as I explained x y z happened. I feel that maybe we are incompatible as client and dog walker, therefore from x date I will no longer be walking your dog.

Sounds like both dog and owner are more trouble than they’re worth. Do what Witch says.

What kind of cheap crappy lead is he using of the dog can chew through it in a matter of seconds?!

I would refuse to walk the dog until he either buys a decent quality, thick leather lead or a metal chain one.

Why on earth doesn’t he buy a better flipping lead?! He’s an idiot and an arse.

Drop him like a hot potato.

You don't need that kind of hassle.

Unless it’s a completely rubbish lead there is no way a dog can just turn and bite through it in a few seconds . That said there is no need for him to be rude although if it had been my dog I’d have been pretty upset about the dog being loose on a road and the possible consequences . It does sound like the relationship has broken down now anyway .

That is the client you sack, for so very many reasons:

1. Armoured leads
2. Twice in a year for a known issue
3. He whinged, over and above the acceptable, "Shit is the dog OK? Are you?"
4. He called your professionalism into question, he may even have mansplained

So give him notice and sack him! That'll larn im!

Agree with everyone else - you hold all the power here. If he's not happy with your service, he needs to go elsewhere.

Is there any reason why neither of you could have thought of considering a chain lead? Seems a no-brainer to me!

My dog is inclined to do this. Can't do much to protect an extendable lead (apart from a stern "NO" the nano-second we see him crane round to do it) but when we walk him on a fixed-length one, it has to be one that is chain-linked at the collar end. I'd like to see him try to chew that.

Anyway, this bloke is a rude arse and who wants a client who speaks to you so disrespectfully? Drop him.

We used to have a lead chewer. In the end we used a horse lead attached to collar!

Anyway, that’s really only helpful for the client, not you op.

Yanbu. What can you say to that sort of attitude? . I’d probably say if he isn’t happy with your services he is welcome to look elsewhere.

Some dog owners won't accept that their dog isn't properly trained, OP. They're like the parent who argues with the teacher that "my Johnny wouldn't do that".

You need to get into the mind set that you don't work for this client, you provide a service, which you're free to withdraw at any time.

If you decide to keep him on, insist he buys a chain lead for the dog. I don't know if you have a lot on your books, but keep in mind, as the business grows the more choice you have on what clients you keep. I'll reiterate you do not work for him, you provide a service

So a dog with a history of lead chewing and neither person responsible for walking it has the wit to suggest a chain lead? I also refuse to believe a dog just turned round and bit through it in a second unless he has garden shears for teeth. Either way, I’d end the contract. Its not working.

He should have got one of those leads that is a chain near to the dog's neck. You can't expect your dog walker to give 100% of their attention to your one dog anyway.

Either this was a shitty lead or the dog didn't chew through it in a second.
He was rude. But the dog has managed to do this before. I would either have ensured a VERY strong lead or been watching it closer.

I'm a dog walker too. I'd finish the arrangement on the spot.

BTW, I would advise that you do stop and chat with other dog owners, if you're walking good dogs, as it's the best way to get known and make new contacts/clients. It also gives you an oppotunity to pass on your card, so even if the person you're talking to you doesn't need your services they may pass your details on to those that do.

Some good responses here, unless you are desperate for clients I would stop this arrangement.

For my own protection, the first time it happened, I'd have said sorry Mr Arse I can't take your dog again until such time as you provide a lead of suitable quality because it happens I could lose him, he could get attacked by another dog, run over or run off and get lost so let me know when you've got a lead (insert examples of which leads would probably do the trick) and then wait to hear that he's bought the right kind of lead.

You can do that next time should it happen again as it's about protecting yourself as well. But drop him, he sounds like a plonker. Can you imagine if another dog came up to the dogs you were walking and there was a fight - no doubt that would be your fault as well. It's not worth it, I'm sure there's much nicer people to walk for than this numpty!

For my own protection, the first time it happened, I'd have said sorry Mr Arse I can't take your dog again until such time as you provide a lead of suitable quality because it happens I could lose him, he could get attacked by another dog, run over or run off and get lost so let me know when you've got a lead (insert examples of which leads would probably do the trick) and then wait to hear that he's bought the right kind of lead.

You can do that next time should it happen again as it's about protecting yourself as well. But drop him, he sounds like a plonker. Can you imagine if another dog came up to the dogs you were walking and there was a fight - no doubt that would be your fault as well. It's not worth it, I'm sure there's much nicer people to walk for than this numpty!

I would also suggest he finds a new walker from now on. As a dog owner, he should know how quickly it can happen. My dog used to bite through the cord of extendable leads in a nano-second. They are really expensive to replace, so after the third one was ruined, I changed to horse leashes, which at least needed a good chew to get through!

Thanks all - believe me, it takes him a second to chew through the lead.

Yes, I should have used a chew proof lead from the start - a good lesson to learn.

I think what particularly irked me was his assumption that this happened because I stopped to chat to people.

Do you really need him, financially speaking? If not, drop him from your client list.

As other's say, you have the power. Tell him, politely, to get another dog walker (Oops! I just had to correct a typo; I put 'dog wanker'. Freudian slip? :-)) if he can't see that this issue is the rubbish equipment he provides and the fact that he hasn't trained his dog properly, you are entitled to say that you won't put yourself and his dog at risk again. If you're anything like most of the dog walkers I know (several) you've either got a waiting list or will replace the dog in no time.

Yes, I should have used a chew proof lead from the start - a good lesson to learn.

Is that up to you, though? Surely the client provides the lead? The dog did this once in a year. I don't think you're at all to blame or should have done anything differently.