What to say to lying dog walker?

[oobeedoiwannabelikeyou]

Sent home sick from work yesterday, still off sick today. DH messaged walker at 9am to say dog was fine (she had been ill last week)
Dog walker messaged back saying Perfect I'll be to take her out.
Comes to 12pm no walker, DH messaged again to say where are you?
She messaged back saying she'd been and gone from 8:45-9:45 and would be back at 2pm.
DH said that's not true and that I was at home.
Walker messaged back assuring him she'd been.
DH said he would be coming home to walk her as I was too sick to and not to bother coming back in the afternoon.
She maintains she had walked her.
SHE DIDN'T I WAS AT HOME WITH HER!
Anyway the trust is gone, Therefor she is going. How do I word this?
I know she's lied and doesn't obviously give a shit but I would like to hold my head up high walking past her knowing I was right and handled it correctly without flying off the handle.
Please wise women if mumsnet help me with wording a message.

Tell her you do not appreciate being lied to, will not be paying for a service that has not been provided, and will not be providing references as she cannot be trusted and you wouldn't want another family and their pets to be robbed (and probably uncomfortable if the dog needs a wee etc). I would be livid and would wonder how many times she has previously collected wages for not doing the job. Make sure you retrieve keys and/or change locks. If she still persists in her lies, out her on social media and dog-walking forums so that others can avoid the disappointments you have had from her. Personally I'd give her an almighty serve, but if you are able to keep it polite but firm you retain the higher moral ground all round - good luck. Oh, and I hope you find a reliable and honest walker :)

If I were you I would call her. Imo msgs and texts don't explain or convey what people actually want to say.
If you feel she's been good up until this mistake is it not worth at least speaking to her? At least until you've got your door keys anyway!!

@Teeniemiff
My DH messaged at 9 to tell her ddog was fine she said she would be coming.
Then he messaged at 12 to see where she was? She said she's been at 8:45-9:45
DH said no you weren't as I was home and that he was coming home to walk her so not to come later (she usually comes twice)
She replied saying I assure you I came I'm heading home now.

Then this morning I messaged her this

Morning.
I’ve slept on it, well not actually slept very well at all worrying.
I was at home all day yesterday with DDog and I can assure you she didn’t go anywhere she was with me.
DH showed me your message saying you came for her.
I can only assume that was some sort of mistake as we both know you didn’t.

No reply as yet.

This is appalling. Sadly this is way too common and unfortunately most continue to get away with it because the clients maintain their dignity and don't post their negative experiences online to put off potential customers making the same mistake.

I'm a professional dog walker and as well as putting photos on Facebook etc, I use a GPS check in/out system when I pick up/drop off dogs so their owners can see exactly when their dog has been out.

The dog walk trackers don't always work accurately as we're often in wooded areas with poor signal.

It may be worth looking for a walker that has a similar system for your peace of mind, I imagine it'll take a while to build up your trust again.

It sounds so naive on her part, she hasn't attempted to correct her timings e.g. oops I meant I walked xxx 9.45 to 10.45. To me, I think she's got her days wrong and walked the wrong dog! It will be a shame if she is blatantly lying when you've been satisfied with her in the past. Also slightly awkward re. the vets.

@Frillyhorseyknickers

DH gives her a huge walk before work (through the local fields the walker uses)
I give her a 20/30min run around the park at lunchtime
Either DH or I give her a walk in the evening.

I had a similar trust issue with a previous dog walker. I found my dog left in an unlocked van in a supermarket car park while she’d popped in to get something. She’d left the van doors open wide as it was a warm day.

It was the final straw after a number of other issues. I just decided I couldn’t trust her and I just said I was really disappointed and that I didn’t feel that I could leave my dog with her anymore as I’d be worried.

She’s providing a service for a much loved creature. Don’t feel obligated. If she’s not providing a good service find someone else. We found a great lady after that.

Housemum and Pebble, I did say 'disabilities aside'!
Pebbles, my family wouldn't be able to look after a dog so we don't have one.

Get rid of her and if she’s got keys I’d also change the locks. My sister had a similar experience and had cctv evidence of what the dog walker was (or indeed wasn’t doing) dog walker is now replaced and my sister is happy.

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just be upfront.

"Hello Dog Walker,

I just wanted to let you know that we will no longer be requiring your services. I know for a fact that you did not come by and walk DOG on DATE because I was home with the dog at the time in question. We both know that you were caught in a lie and we've made the decision to take our business elsewhere."

Agreed about sharing your experiences on social media so this woman can't scam other people.

Please do not second guess if you were sleeping or not etc... I am certain there is just cause for concern. The merest doubt and where my canine is concerned I would interview a new walker as soon as possible. She must not be permitted to continue to lie to counteract awful behaviour. Better people out there I am sure you shall be comfortable with. Very best of luck x

Op, you've left names in your post, just so you know. Incase you don't want to be identified

Can't wait to see dog walkers response!

@HannahHut
Thank you I've reported.

@Maireadplastic - seriously?
I don’t actually work, but still have a dog walker. Our dog has heaps of energy, I’d get nothing else done and be exhausted if I walked him as much as he needs.
Our dog walker is a single mum. It works perfectly for her - hours wise and money wise. She loves our dog - and it socialises him because he has an anxious nature. He’s walked by himself, or with her dog. I know this because I’m often here when she picks up or drops off.
I also take advice from her because she knows about dogs, and I don’t.
I think you’re just being provocative.

OP, I hope you get it sorted. I can imagine you’re upset. You trust these people and then are so let down when they take advantage.

Caught red handed. Name and shame her on Facebook - leave a review?
Is it a company?
I would argue the truth - you we're in - she did not turn up - end of!
No payment!
Bloody cheek - So if you had not have been in - your poor dog would have been left - needing to toilet and unwalled! She wants payment for two walks a day, when she's actually only providing one? DON'T THINK SO! I'd be fuming!!!! And l'd let her know too!

Cheeky cow, can't believe she would lie so blatantly

This is shocking, I saw the post had resumed and expected to read an update.

I would now have steam coming out of my ears and would be itching to send another message, all her or update her Facebook.

I do however fly off the handle easily laugh 😂

ohbee - you have named DH and dog in your last post. You may (or may not) want to get the post edited

@HotelEuphoria

I'm usually the same to be honest.
I've gone from angry to sad to confused to shocked to furious now just delighted I was sick at home.

@Aridane
I've reported it.
Do you know if it takes a while to change? The more people that report the better?
Just report once and leave?

Again it's my first post although long time lurker.

Honest review on fb page review section.

They can’t take them down unless they remove all reviews.

As the dog was lying on me between 0845 and 0945, I'm afraid I cannot accept that you took it at this time for a walk. Unfortunately, I feel that I can no longer rely on you to take care of my dogs and will therefore be looking for a replacement.

If it helps. Vodafone do a tracker for pets. It's 4 quid added to your phone bill and 50 quid for the tracker. It's clipped to their collar and tracks not only where they are, how much exercise they've had and loads of other bits and pieces. If you have a mobile with them I thoroughly reccomend. It prevents dog walkers lying through their teeth. My mum had a similar experience and I got her a tracker. Set up the app on her phone so she can track the dog anywhere. She loves it! It's given her piece of mind with the new walker.

What a total nob. I can't believe people who claim to care for animals actually do this. Fuming on your behalf OP!