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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider an au pair for my dog?

92 replies

Newbi · 07/01/2021 20:08

I’ve been wondering this for a while... I have a spare room and a dog that I spend a significant amount of money sending to daycare. Would having an au pair work better? Is this madness?

OP posts:
macdhui · 07/01/2021 20:46

@Newbi - I would advertise for an international student or if you want a solution now there are thousands of stranded Australians in the UK as our border has been shut since March. There are a few fb forums that offer help/ advice to Aussies. Just an idea ...

LaurieFairyCake · 07/01/2021 20:47

I considered it

But decided not to as I thought the dog wouldn't like it as much - she loves her pack at daycare, she has her favourites

I now have 2 dogs and it would be MUCH cheaper to get a :

DAUPAIR

converseandjeans · 07/01/2021 20:47

Can't you just get a dog walker? Ask them to come mid morning and maybe pay for 2 hours? We just use a dog walker & she comes and takes dog out for quick walk.

goodwinter · 07/01/2021 20:48

@RunningFromInsanity

Well it’s called a dog sitter, not an au pair

You’re going to have to paid someone a fair amount to literally just sit with your dog.
I imagine day care would be much more fun for your dog.

Entirely depends on the dogs personality.
goodwinter · 07/01/2021 20:49

@YouBoughtMeAWall

Doggy day care can’t surely cost as much as an au pair would??
Mine is £30 a day incl transport (we don't drive) so would be £600pm. This is why I WFH!
goodwinter · 07/01/2021 20:51

That wasn't meant as a judgment on OP at all, just the cost of daycare... I think this idea is excellent.

Xoxoxoxoxoxox · 07/01/2021 20:51

Maybe your dog could learn a lot about another culture and learn a second language?

YouBoughtMeAWall · 07/01/2021 20:53

Mine is £30 a day incl transport (we don't drive) so would be £600pm. This is why I WFH!

Shock

I didn’t realise it was so much!

goodwinter · 07/01/2021 20:54

@YouBoughtMeAWall

Mine is £30 a day incl transport (we don't drive) so would be £600pm. This is why I WFH! Shock

I didn’t realise it was so much!

It would be more than our mortgage payment to send him full time, it's crazy. I can only imagine it'll be more expensive post-covid (if it's still open at all Sad )
TrailingLobelias · 07/01/2021 20:55

Au pairs usually want to spend time with children so they learn English. But if you git her English classes in a group or she could volunteer somewhere that might do.

Funcamper · 07/01/2021 20:56

Why not try Trusted Housesitters? I have done loads of sits through them ( dogs,cats and just houses)in happier times when we could all move around more. It’s normally to pet sit in the owner’s absence but some people also advertise for help with dogs etc when they’re also remaining in the property. So many sits have fallen through (5 in my case) that I’m sure applicants would bite your hand off to do this (though that might stop you working LOL)

HmmSureJan · 07/01/2021 20:56

Can be up to £50 a day in London. £30 is a good price.

MichelleScarn · 07/01/2021 21:00

@LaurieFairyCake id be getting Daupair registered!

RaininSummer · 07/01/2021 21:06

It's a great idea and when I plan for new lodgers I always make sure they are dig lovers so I don't think it's a massive reach to advertise a room on the basis of cheaper rent for being at home with the dog for a defined amount of hours every day. If you word it right, I think you may get responses on Spare Room.

LaurieFairyCake · 07/01/2021 21:08

Mines is £50 a day for the 2 dogs

Want2beme · 07/01/2021 21:11

My DN would love that job. Great idea!

kittlesticks · 07/01/2021 21:54

I am in Surrey and have a full time job and two DCs but basically just let me know the details and I would move in tomorrow. Do you have wine? Grin

Dixiechickonhols · 07/01/2021 22:01

I think you’ve hit on an idea op. My dog is a rescue. Before covid I worked part time and paid £12 for a 1 hour walk. If I worked longer He’d have needed 2 walks. Dog daycare is expensive and not suitable for all dogs.

GoldfishParade · 07/01/2021 22:03

Haha I will be doing something similar for my cat in a few months time. I'm going to be offering 50% off the rent for a fellow crazy cat lady to live with me and make sure that one week a month shes home to pander to the cat!

MiddleClassMother · 07/01/2021 22:04

YANBU my dog is too social though, loves doggy care and rests when me and the kids come back home. I would love an au pair but I don't like the idea of someone staying in my house.

GoldfishParade · 07/01/2021 22:04

Sorry incase that sounds insane, I dont mean the lodger would be forced to remain housebound for a week to hand feed the cat 🤭 Just that she would at least be home at night to make sure cat is inside, fed, and content

SameToo · 07/01/2021 22:05

I need to see the dog to decide...

catwithflowers · 07/01/2021 22:08

You should apply to Dragons' Den 😂😂😂😂. Fabulous idea!

DenisetheMenace · 07/01/2021 22:10

I confidently predict an outbreak of dog au pair agencies across the country in the not too distant future 😁

powershowerforanhour · 07/01/2021 22:11

My daughter would have bitten your hand off for a job like this

What a dreadful role model for the dog. No wonder she never got offered a dog au pair job.