Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour wants paid?

235 replies

kb16 · 10/07/2021 13:52

Looking for advice on wether this is cheeky or not
The boy across the road from us is 12 (or there abouts) year 7 in school.
We have a dog who has a dog Walker that we pay for when we are at work, the boy across the road has started in the evening in the last eeek when he's bored coming and asking if he can take our dog out for a walk. They are normally away about 15/20 mins. This has been going on for about a week now, however he has started saying we should be paying him and asking how much he's getting paid.
I've said in a jokey way that he's the one that Is asking if he can take the dog out as he's bored and not the other way around and that we already pay a dog Walker but it's becoming uncomfortable now,
Thing is I would have picked him up some sweets or something to say thanks but now I'm thinking should I be paying him? He's not really doing me a favour as I could do it myself. Again, last night he was at my door asking how much he's getting paid
It's becoming really awkward!

OP posts:
KrystalKendal · 10/07/2021 20:48

He's 12, of course he's cheeky!
I think there it's admirable he is looking for a way to earn some money.

If you don't want him to take the dog for a walk then say you don't want him too and tell him that you are happy for him to take the dog for a walk but not willing to pay. That way it's his choice and you can decide whether you prefer him taking the dog or not.

TheRebelle · 10/07/2021 20:49

@QueenBee52 that’s what I assumed! Are you that desperate for some pocket money for your kid @RamItBunty?

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 10/07/2021 20:50

Even if it had been washing the car, there's a huge difference between "Would you like me to wash your car for you?" and "Can I please wash your car - I'm bored and it's loads of fun playing with hoses and soapy water!"

KrystalKendal · 10/07/2021 20:50

@Thadhiya

Tell him you do not require a dog walker and he's not to come around any more.

You thought he was "a bored child" but he was trying to make money. However he also wasn't up front about wanting money, or wanting a job, and he sounds very rude now so I'd back off.

You'll have his parents round demanding money next, so you might want to nip this in the bud pronto.

He's 12, we're in a pandemic - maybe a little harsh judging a kid and his whole family. Eye roll!
RamItBunty · 10/07/2021 20:51

Yes that’s how mn works
The person who disagrees with the op is in some way involved in real life

IrishCharm · 10/07/2021 20:55

Oh dear Lord TALK to him - explain that if he wants to walk dogs to get a bit of extra money in the holidays he should be upfront about it when he offers to walk the dog!
Explain you can’t afford to pay him as you already pay for a dog Walker but if you hear of anyone wanting someone then you’ll let him know!
Just talk to the lad, you’ve known him five years so it shouldn’t be that hard!

User135792468 · 10/07/2021 20:56

I don’t understand how you can afford £50 a week for a dog Walker but you can’t afford to give the kid a tenner? You’re obviously lying about your finances. Just admit you don’t want to Grin. I would just give him £10 and then mention in passing to the parents how x asked for money for walking the dog, you’re sorry that you misinterpreted it as you thought he wanted to as he was bored but that you have a professional dog Walker who comes every day. As he is 12, I feel like you should speak to the parents.

Dogvmarmot · 10/07/2021 20:56

@Cabinfever10

He's an enterprising young man who deserves 10/10 for effort
he is very young and probably thought he was touting for work. i would give him the benefit of the doubt, say thanks very much but i thought you were asking us as a favour to you. given he has walked your dog I would give him £10 or £20 for his effort but then but then tell him we dont need a dog walker so no more walks. Suggest he make up some flyers to post in neighbours houses offering his services and setting out his fee/rates.... that way he wont feel upset and things wont get awkard. he's just a child
CraazyCatLady · 10/07/2021 20:57

When I was about that age I used to walk loads of my neighbours dogs. I used to ask if I could and take them out for long walks.

I did it because I enjoyed spending time with dogs and didn't have one of my own.

I was never offered any money and I certainly didn't expect any money.

QueenBee52 · 10/07/2021 20:59

[quote TheRebelle]**@QueenBee52* that’s what I assumed! Are you that desperate for some pocket money for your kid @RamItBunty*?[/quote]

I know right...

She's so embarrassing 🤣

HerMammy · 10/07/2021 21:01

Please do not let random ppl walk the dog especially a child, if anything happened ie an attack, run off, he could not cope or be responsible. There’s a reason your dog walker is insured.

RubyGoat · 10/07/2021 21:02

Tell him you would only pay a dog walker who had insurance.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 10/07/2021 21:02

I also think that, even when they are being paid for doing a job, a lot of kids might not appreciate that the amount their parent would give them for making an effort and doing something in no way compares with what a non-related adult would (or should) value their 'job' at.

As PP said, if you're getting an hour or more from an insured, experienced, professional adult dog-walker (including them providing transport to a suitable location), who has the regular commitment, the contract, doesn't claim that they're only doing the job when they feel like it to assuage their boredom, can actually care for your pet, should the need arise - for £10....what would be expected as a 'fair' remuneration for 15 minutes from a kid, when he feels like it? Actually what the job is worth - not how much a Mum or Dad might chuck their own DC with a glint in their eye for showing willing to help out?

RamItBunty · 10/07/2021 21:04

Yes that’s how mn works. Anyone who disagrees with an op is actually really involved in real life
Because it’s clearly not possible to just disagree because it’s unreasonable post.
All the other posters disagreeing with the op are they involved too?

CandyLeBonBon · 10/07/2021 21:14

@asdfsadfasdf

Not what you asked, but kids shouldn't be walking dogs without adults present. Your dog might be fine, other dogs might not be.
I wouldn't let my own kids walk out dog at that age, let alone someone else's!! I'd give him a fiver and dm say thanks but you don't need it regularly any more. Why the drama?
CastawayQueen · 10/07/2021 21:14

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

I also think that, even when they are being paid for doing a job, a lot of kids might not appreciate that the amount their parent would give them for making an effort and doing something in no way compares with what a non-related adult would (or should) value their 'job' at.

As PP said, if you're getting an hour or more from an insured, experienced, professional adult dog-walker (including them providing transport to a suitable location), who has the regular commitment, the contract, doesn't claim that they're only doing the job when they feel like it to assuage their boredom, can actually care for your pet, should the need arise - for £10....what would be expected as a 'fair' remuneration for 15 minutes from a kid, when he feels like it? Actually what the job is worth - not how much a Mum or Dad might chuck their own DC with a glint in their eye for showing willing to help out?

So that's £2.50 an hour - subtract costs of insurance etc I'd say probably about 50p and that's being generous. Also as PP mentioned someone else might have put him up to it after the fact. @RamItBunty none of the other posters keep repeatedly attacking the OP unlike you...
CastawayQueen · 10/07/2021 21:15

*2.50 per quarter of an hour

RamItBunty · 10/07/2021 21:16

Repeatedly you say?well as the muva my guitars must have slipped

RamItBunty · 10/07/2021 21:18

Guitars and guard must have slipped.Good job the mn detectives are on hand to remonstrate

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 10/07/2021 21:31

Sorry, not a clue what your last two posts mean, RamItBunty; but your level of aggression and accusatory language is the issue here - not your disagreement in principle with the OP. Other posters also share your general perspective, but have debated it calmly and given their reasoning, without resorting to insults.

unlikelytobe · 10/07/2021 21:32

she drives them to the enclosed field and they run around for an hour.

Well, your paid dog walker isn't doing a proper walk then if all she's doing is supervising dogs in a rented field! More like a doggy creche? Have I understood that right?

Can't you have a chat with this boy and patiently explain the difference in volunteering, doing a favour, soliciting paid work etc? I think he's somewhere between CF and misguided. Help him understand how these things usually work and give him those sweets but no money!

RamItBunty · 10/07/2021 21:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 10/07/2021 21:43

This took surprisingly amusing turn 😂

BobbidyBob · 10/07/2021 21:44

Never have I ever come across so many people that can’t communicate clearly and effectively than when I joined Mumsnet. It’s absolutely baffling.

Explain you already have a dog walker. Say you thought he was just enjoying walking the dog, not that he saw it as a potential income. Tell him you won’t be paying him for previous or future walks. It’s really not that hard Confused

HalzTangz · 10/07/2021 21:44

How many times did he walk the dog?

I would give him roughly £1.50 per walk (basing that on hourly wage for under 18s, then dividing that by time 'worked')

Then tell him services no longer required.