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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogwalker won't walk my dogs in the rain

90 replies

Dacquoise · 09/09/2019 14:33

My dogwalker has been off the last six weeks. Two weeks were her holiday but for the last month she's had something wrong with her finger which has meant her texting me to say she needs another week off, then another week off etc. I have accommodated her as my daughter is off from uni and able to help out with the dog walks but there have been days when they haven't been walked due to our schedules. I am able to pop home at lunchtime but not enough time to walk them before going back to work.

Today, first day back, she texts to say she wants to change the day because it's raining. I said it's not convenient. First time I have challenged her about this. It has happened before. She refused to budge which has led me to fire her. Mixed feelings as I have used her a long time but she is unreliable at times and I feel like I am fitting around her, not the other way round.

Was I right to sack her?

OP posts:
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 09/09/2019 16:07

There was nothing wrong with her finger when she was texting you was there.
Dogs need walking in hail rain sleet or snow. Not just when it suits her.
YANBU. You and most importantly your dog needs someone you can rely on. That’s what you’re paying her for

user1486915549 · 09/09/2019 16:07

How can you work as a dog walker in U.K. if you don’t walk in the rain !
I would be furious. I book my dog walker on days when I am out because that’s when I need them. No point them changing to days when I’m NOT out.

bengalcat · 09/09/2019 16:09

Generally the only people out in the rain are dogs with their owners or a walker . Move on as you have .

PrincessHoneysuckle · 09/09/2019 16:10

@Hanraa can we have a pic of your whippet please? I'd love one but my Chihuahua is anti social git

SunshineCake · 09/09/2019 16:14

Totally right to sack her, only thing you did wrong was let her have a month off for a hurt finger, also known as messing you around. Even with a broken finger I am assuming she has another hand.

pottedshrimps · 09/09/2019 16:18

I'm a dog walker and I walk in all weathers. All I ask is that an old towel is left to dry the dog off with once the walk is completed.

NigellaAwesome · 09/09/2019 16:21

Was it raining cats and dogs?

I'll get my coat...

SunshineCake · 09/09/2019 16:21

My dog sulked today when we headed back to the car and we had been out nearly 1.5 hours in the rain Grin.

janey15 · 09/09/2019 16:23

Both my dogs hate being walked in the rain but our dog walker takes them out whatever the weather!

Hanraa1 · 09/09/2019 16:28

@PrincessHoneysuckle you should definitely get a whippet, they're the best dogs, affectionate, quiet, good with kids and lazy as hell! I have a chihuahua too, he also has his git moments.

Dogwalker won't walk my dogs in the rain
Strugglingtodomybest · 09/09/2019 16:32

Yanbu, she sounds pathetic. A bit like my dogs, who refuse to go out in the rain!

justwonderingifi · 09/09/2019 16:34

My Lhasa's won't walk in the rain, they will literally sit firm and then if you try to move them they will roll over Hmm. But the dog walker still comes and provides them with company, plays with them, gives them attention. You were right to fire her.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 09/09/2019 16:35

@Hanraa1 omg!! That dog is the cutest

Vilanelle · 09/09/2019 16:35

The only time my dog walker wont walk the dog is on the very rare occasion we have extreme hot weather. Even then, she will sit in the house with dog for an hour to give attention.

dottiedodah · 09/09/2019 16:41

This is beyond comprehension to me . My friend is a dog walker and takes them out 1 or 2 at a time whatever the weather .She sounds like she is either a complete wuss or has got fed up with the job!

Hanraa1 · 09/09/2019 16:42

@PrincessHoneysuckle thank you!! I probably love him a bit more than is healthy Blush

SunshineAngel · 09/09/2019 16:43

I have walked dogs for my friends in the past (moved in to look after them a few times when they've been on holiday) and to be honest they loved walks in the rain (and then spraying it all over the kitchen meaning I had to clean everything ha ha) and it would never have crossed my mind NOT to walk them.

labazsisgoingmad · 09/09/2019 16:51

total rubbish my partner is a dog walker and he has just come in soaking wet from dog walking but it has to be done. dogs need to do their toileting for a start. he has walked them in snow before now

Original poster
Dacquoise · 09/09/2019 16:57

Hi, thank you all again for your comments. I am now starting to feel quite angry as I think she's pulled the wool. It's not that I am the most demanding client as someone mentioned earlier but the opposite. The most accommodating. I cannot imagine her going all those weeks without any money. She's probably had a couple of holiday house sits. I had an issue with this a couple of years ago. She would disappear for weeks and leave me high and dry. The finger thing was hard to dispute as I don't see her very often.

I am a bit of a sucker for a sob story!

OP posts:
ravenmum · 09/09/2019 16:58

Sounds like she didn't want to do it any more but let you make it official.

ButterflyOne1 · 09/09/2019 17:05

Just find someone you can trust. Cut the ties now, explain due to the circumstances you'd like your key back as you need someone more permeant.

I've recently had to change my dog walker after him walker my dog for five years due to an incident. Look on tailsetters for an alternative.

You've managed fine for the past six weeks, a couple more weeks until you find a new reliable one will be fine.

MouseInATelescope · 09/09/2019 17:13

YANBU

They "walk" the kids in my 3 yr olds Nursery around the large grounds in the rain and that's a damn sight harder - but they need fresh air and exercise and it's their job to provide it - same with dog minders/walkers!

Find a better one!! my springer loves the rain!

Aprillygirl · 09/09/2019 17:22

She took a week off due to a pawly finger? Wtf lol. And it's not unheard of for it to rain for two weeks solid.What is your dog supposed to with itself then? Sack her OP, my guess is that she doesn't want the job anymore anyway but is too cowardly to tell you.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 09/09/2019 17:38

Beautiful dog Hanraa

Rightsaidmabel · 09/09/2019 17:41

You need a dog walker that will let them enjoy all weathers! Have a look at this!

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