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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

And so it begins (lockdown puppies)

310 replies

Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 12:36

I’ve seen two posts this week on local Facebook/Nextdoor groups of

“Does anyone fancy walking my dog. Back to work for us etc etc”.

Quite obviously asking for someone to walk for them for free, not asking for a dog walker

I have been quite a defender on posts about lockdown dogs etc, hoping that the majority of people wouldn’t be so stupid as to get a dog with no forward planning at all - but I’m now seeing my hope was misplaced.

Not quite sure what my Aibu is - but seen yet another post today (by a teacher no less - so they were always going back to the “office”) and it’s pissed me off.

So I suppose Aibu to say - don’t get a dog if you have no plan on how to look after it when you go back to work.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 18:57

@CaptainMyCaptain

*"Last post I’m referring to is literally this (hope not MNetter!)

It’s literally this...
“Does anyone want to walk our lovely puppy (name). Maybe someone working from home who fancies getting out and about during the day, or someone retired. We are both teachers so back to work for us”.*

I've just seen this and don't think those people can really be teachers.

Pretty sure that they are. Obviously the person posting could be lying - but think it’s quite unlikely.
OP posts:
Donkeydonut · 06/03/2021 19:14

My dog Walker walks a dog for half her normal rate because she is so worried about the dog. It’s in a crate from 8am to 6pm and the owner won’t leave water because it doesn’t want the dog wee’ing during the day. My DW puts the water in and next day the dog is left without it.

Claudia84 · 06/03/2021 19:17

I think that might actually be against the law to leave a dog without water. It’s part of the animal welfare act.

Donkeydonut · 06/03/2021 19:20

@Claudia84

I think that might actually be against the law to leave a dog without water. It’s part of the animal welfare act.
It upsets me so much, my dog Walker has always put it in but I wonder how many other dogs are left shut in a crate while the owner maintains they are happy and sleep all day.
miserablecat · 06/03/2021 19:21

I know several teachers, one has been at home throughout lockdown, one has regularly been going to school (SEN teacher) and most (but certainly not all) of DS teachers appear to be in school. Other teachers I know are on a rota, so these teachers mightb have been able to manage walks between them if not FT in school.
However they should have made more concrete arrangements and sorted out care before now.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 06/03/2021 19:24

@Claudia84

I think that might actually be against the law to leave a dog without water. It’s part of the animal welfare act.
Correct - it's illegal. Dogs must be left with access to water.

Your dog walker should report them. It's animal cruelty.

rookiemere · 06/03/2021 19:26

Rookiedog is almost three now, I didn't really want a dog it was DH that pushed for him, but no way would I let rookiedog be alone all day. We have a dog walker that we kept going during lockdown as perhaps some day we will go back to the office. I did sign up to borrowmydoggy but only to supplement the dog walker when we were in the office, and to have a lady who absolutely loves rookiedog staying when we're on holiday.

I would join borrowmydoggy or similar as a borrower when we're retired. Owning a dog is a big commitment- as DH now acknowledges- but it is nice to have one around so I'd happily walk someones once a week and look after it when they were on holiday.

Donkeydonut · 06/03/2021 19:27

I did say that to her but her POV is that nothing will be done and whilst she maintains the relationship she can walk the dog (for half normal rate) and put water in the crate.

Original poster
Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 19:29

@rookiemere before o got my current dog I joined Borrow My Doggy as a walker. People were absolute piss takers sadly. Expecting you to basically act as a paid dog Walker bit for free. I stopped after a pretty short time because of it.

OP posts:
wetotter · 06/03/2021 19:31

I think a lot of people are showing their Micawberish traits - got the dog because the circumstances worked at the time, and they thought something would turn up when they needed it.

And for many it probably will.

But I am amazed that a teacher, even one who has been WFH, left it quite so much to 11th hour (when the whole country has known the date for return for ages). But I suspect they won't be the only ones who cock it up this badly

I was talking to a young man in the park the other day who has just realised they'll need doggy day care for at least two days a week, and is only now investigating prices. He looked a little pale when I told him the local going rate

The best local dogwalkers/sitters only take new dogs on a month's trial, to see if they get on with their existing charges. Because they want a happy little pack. It can be quite hard to find a place a dog with behavioural issues.

Claudia84 · 06/03/2021 19:33

@Donkeydonut it’s upsetting that they’re in a crate for that time as well. I hate it when I read “we have to put her in a crate she destroys the house otherwise” and I just think it’s so selfish to just solve the problem by caging the dog rather than actually to look at why the house might be destroying the house.
Not that I have anything against crates per se - just when they’re used to protect people’s furnishings.

BashfulClam · 06/03/2021 19:34

We are desperate to get a furry pooch pal but know we have to return to the office eventually so it’s not fair.

Nanny0gg · 06/03/2021 19:35

@Sailawaysailaway

I’ve seen two posts this week on local Facebook/Nextdoor groups of

“Does anyone fancy walking my dog. Back to work for us etc etc”.

Quite obviously asking for someone to walk for them for free, not asking for a dog walker

I have been quite a defender on posts about lockdown dogs etc, hoping that the majority of people wouldn’t be so stupid as to get a dog with no forward planning at all - but I’m now seeing my hope was misplaced.

Not quite sure what my Aibu is - but seen yet another post today (by a teacher no less - so they were always going back to the “office”) and it’s pissed me off.

So I suppose Aibu to say - don’t get a dog if you have no plan on how to look after it when you go back to work.

I've seen one where they've got a new job, 5 days a week, 12 hour days.

I could cry.

Alsohuman · 06/03/2021 19:37

Try getting a Shiba Inu out in the rain

Or a Jack Russell.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 06/03/2021 19:43

@Alsohuman

Try getting a Shiba Inu out in the rain

Or a Jack Russell.

Or a sighthound Grin
rookiemere · 06/03/2021 19:43

@Sailawaysailaway I certainly don't treat our walkers from borrowmydoggy like that. I make it clear that it shouldn't be an obligation for them as we're the one who chose to get rookiedog and it would be ridiculous to expect a volunteer to replace a paid dog walker.

In fact our dog sitter is more desperate to come and stay and look after rookiedog than almost we are to go away Grin. She's currently back with her DPs in her mid twenties, so keen for a bit of freedom with the fluffball as she calls him.

Newbi · 06/03/2021 19:49

I’ve just checked my local gumtree hoping to say that this was not universally true. That went well...(it really didn’t)!
I think I’d prefer that the rescues were overwhelmed rather than people buying an older puppy thinking ‘ooh and we’ve missed the puppy stage’ and not realising adolescence and retraining issues are way more difficult.

Original poster
Sailawaysailaway · 06/03/2021 19:52

@rookiemere sorry I didn’t mean you!! I mentioned it as you’d said you might consider it as a borrower later on.

OP posts:
OverTheRainbow88 · 06/03/2021 19:52

@Newbi

I did the same; and in Bristol there is 1 8 month old puppy for sale and the rest are litters. So that’s good! I think!

rookiemere · 06/03/2021 20:01

Sorry @Sailawaysailaway I sounded a bit more outraged than I felt. I was just annoyed that some bad egg dog owners were giving the rest of us a bad name.

drspouse · 06/03/2021 20:02

We got a cat in lockdown (not our first, the first one was victim of post-lockdown-1 traffic) and he's been used to having his previous owner around but still makes himself scarce if the DCs are running up and down the stairs. I think he'll be happy when they aren't around as much but DH will likely WFH most days till if retires in about two years time.

Donkeydonut · 06/03/2021 20:04

@Newbi

I’ve just checked my local gumtree hoping to say that this was not universally true. That went well...(it really didn’t)! I think I’d prefer that the rescues were overwhelmed rather than people buying an older puppy thinking ‘ooh and we’ve missed the puppy stage’ and not realising adolescence and retraining issues are way more difficult.
I can’t bear to look at the moment, it may sound over dramatic but I end up not sleeping.
stayathomer · 06/03/2021 20:40

So many judgy people and people making assumptions. you don't know people's situations and assume they're all the same. It's actually a lot more with animals than anywhere else, people are told they should only adopt rescues, and if they work or are single they shouldn't have a dog. My friends constantly explain their circumstances, one walks her dogs before work and during lunch break, another pays someone to come in twice a day. 30 years ago my parents brought home a dog on a whim and he was the love of our life for 18 years. It can happen! I also know people who got dogs over lockdown who had planned to get a dog for years and now are nagged about it and warned about what is right for them to do next.

Ohtheplacesyougo · 06/03/2021 20:46

I bought a lockdown puppy. I hate the judgement from people!!!

I work full time but agile - I take a few hours out in the afternoon and work a couple more at night.

It’s been hard work but I adore him and have budgeted his care. He is already 2 days at doggy day care (even though at home) and my husband and I work from home between us. I specifically chose an ‘easy’ breed for first time dog owners. I could only have one child and I was so keen to have a dog to join our family - he is already another part of the family.

I have a friend who borrows him and he loves him - doesn’t get paid but personal choice as he can’t afford a dog. It makes me very happy that my pup brings joy to someone else too. So a bit like borrow my doggy.,.

So basically don’t judge people. Lockdown has given me and others the opportunity to spend time with a puppy I’d never otherwise have. He’s now settled and remains my first priority along with my child.

I should say though, that I have heard some horrible stories of people crating their dogs all day while they work (even when at home). I know people who leave them in nine hours a day. Mine is at night time for safety and if I pop out to the local shop but that is it. Otherwise he virtually has the run of the house. Occasionally when working I have found surprises as less hard to house train a free roaming puppy! But that’s fine by me.

My biggest concern is once out of lockdown is that I will be too scared to leave him rather than vice versa.

Stellaris22 · 06/03/2021 20:52

@Ohtheplacesyougo there's a difference between being practical and sensible like yourself and people who buy one with no plans. It sounds like you prepared and planned for yours, which is great.

My concern is when people buy one without budgeting or planning, no idea of grooming, insurance, vet, daycare costs. Even pre lockdown I knew someone who bought a dog and no plans for grooming costs (poor dog is regularly matted) or realisation of cost of dog walkers so relies on friends for free doggy daycare.

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