To consider an au pair for my dog?

[Newbi]

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?

@Florencemattell

You need to pay minimum wage. An au pair can’t be from the Uk they are young people who come here to learn the language and you supply board and lodgings plus pocket money.

Why do some people always want to make life difficult?

As long as the lodger/flatmate is happy with the what's provided in return for walking the dig & keeping it company everyone else just needs to 'beak out'.

@powershowerforanhour

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.

🤣🤣🤣

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

🤣🤣🤣

What a great idea I usually get flamed if I mention having house staff but I'm not in the UK and I actually have a full time maid purely for the dogs my house is small and realistically someone a few days a week would be more than enough but I don't like leaving them alone and they love her so she comes full time and spends half the day walking/playing with the dogs.
Before I get the expats abusing people lecture she is well paid, treated fairly and I'm not actually an expat on an expat package.

@WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants
I think @Quinn1964 was riffing off digs at working mothers

I love the idea. You could share a live out dog nanny with another family to reduce costs too, if you didn't want someone actually living in your house.

We use helpers from WorkAway or HelpX a lot. It's been interesting for the kids who've met people from around the world but we have separate accommodation (and quite a lot more than dogs)!

Thank you loads- lots to think about! And particularly loving the bad role model comments!!

@Newbi

OP, I actually have a lodger at the moment who would genuinely be up for this if you were at all serious.

She's 66 and usually does pet setting, etc but obviously that isn't happening much at the moment.

DH & I have started working out of the home in fairly close quarters with other people so she's worried about the COVID risk of living with us. It could be a real win-win.

She only wants somewhere for a few months so it could be a good test case

Are you serious?

If so, let me know and I can pass on her details...

(Just to note DH & I work in a COVID lab so we aren't breaking any rules)

A test case would be really interesting- I’m mostly worried about the downside of having to share the living room (I’ve not had a lodger before) but I’m not as antisocial as that suggests! I’d posted this as a bit pie in the sky but I’d be interested- Pm me? Although I should say I work out of the home and am probably not low risk of covid so might not suit but I’d def be interested in the possibility!

30+ years ago my sister did this (i.e. the looking after dogs part) in exchange for reduced rent in a lovely old country house near Norwich. She didn't have to be with the dogs all the time - just had to walk them.

I was an au pair for a dog in Holland Park 20+ years ago. It was fab. I love dogs and this one was amazing + like ALL au pairs I was too young and inexperienced to look after young children (and no inclination to).

Only consider it if your house genuinely is big enough and you have access to good language colleges though. Au pairs should not be treated as live in staff and they’ll want to study.

Would depend on your OP but you don't necessarily need to share your living room with a lodger. I don't like doing that but so long as there is somewhere for them to relax and watch TV or whatever it usually works OK.

OP - Dog-friendly lodgers do exist, I know because I was one!

I moved to a new area on a temporary contract, so didn't want to rent a flat/house all to myself. I was very lucky and found a lady on SpareRoom who just wanted some help with her two lovely dogs in exchange for reduced rent. I also had a dog so was grateful to find somewhere dog-friendly!
I worked full-time, but walking distance from the house so when they weren't at day care, I was able to pop home and take them for a walk on my lunch break. She did keep them in day-care some days, but they were very active dogs so they just preferred it (and I got the feeling money was no object).
My own dog didn't really interact with them as he's old and not very sociable, and he also came to work with me so on the (rare) occasions I actually had to fulfil my dog-duties, I just left him in the office for an hour.
As a lodger, I did have access to all the rooms but to be honest didn't use the lounge much - mostly stayed in my room with my own dog. But we did have plenty of friendly chats and I'd like to think I was tolerable!

Even if I didn't have dog, I would have been thrilled to find this kind of arrangement - advertise on FB/SpareRoom and see how you get on!

I advertised for a lodger that liked dogs and was willing to do some basic housework. I got one and charge them less than market rate. I'm giving him notice (because he doesnt suit me in other ways) but basically, wanted what you want. Once hes gone I'll do the same. Good idea.

Once Covid 19 is over, then why not? Think of creative ways you could pitch this so you have the most chance of finding someone who is good in your house and not a person you just put up with. You also will need to have plans for when they are away (if they are from outside the UK) and a plan B should they suddenly leave.

This is so cool