Should I tell them their dog chewed my shoe?

[sleepymum50]

I am currently dog sitting a friend of a friend I am receiving no money for it. I offered to do it as I am currently divorcing, but still living in the same house as my STBXH. it’s a lovely house and it’s very peaceful away from my DH.

They have a young dog who is not very well trained and is a constant chewer.He is not teething. I have rescued cushions, toys, towels, blankets, soft toys from him. He can jump and get things pretty high. I have been here 4 days and have 2 more to do. There are lots of proper chew toys for him.

Anyhow, he got one of my shoes this morning. I had put them away, but considering his behaviour, I should have been more careful.

They are lovely people, should I tell them? I didn’t know them before this. Cost is approximately £20 to replace, so not a big deal. But feeling I shouldn’t take a financial hit on something I’m doing for free. On the other hand he has chewed his new dog bed under my watch. They are pretty well off.

AIBU Suck it up, you should have been more careful
YANBU - You are doing them a massive favour.

The reason I’m asking is because my STBXH has constantly told me I have no tact and often come across as rude.

Sorry, you know he chews and you left it in reach. Also, yes you are doing them a favour- but it’s mutually beneficial clearly.

I wouldn’t say anything over a £20 shoe. You are responsible for the dog while it’s in your care, and presumably you knew it was young/poorly trained when you took it. I’d just be more careful in future

You know he chews, you should have put your shoes where he couldn't reach them. I don't see how this is the owners responsibility when you are currently in charge of the dog. I would suck it up and replace them myself.

I think YABU, you are doing them a favour but you're getting something out of it too, you know the dog chews, you shouldn't have left your shoes hanging around. At most I might make a joke about him chewing my shoe and see if they offer but I wouldn't ask for it back

You're dog-sitting in their home, the dog is in your care, and you're aware that the dog is a chewer, so this one's on you for leaving your stuff where the dog could get to it. Do not ask your friends to replace a shoe that got chewed because you didn't keep an eye on your stuff/the dog.

Yabu, you are responsible for the dog whilst they are away, it's not their fault.

I'd be peeved but with myself. Weighing everything up its a small price to pay for some peace

I think you should tell them what happened light-heartedly so they have the opportunity to offer to replace the shoe but you can't really ask for them to pay as you were in charge of the dog. You should have made sure that he couldn't get to your shoes.

However, if it were my dog and you were saving me several hundred pounds by dog sitting, I would feel bad that he had chewed your shoe and want to replace it. They aren't exactly great friends if they are happy to accept such a massive favour and don't care that you are out of pocket as a consequence.

I personally would want to know so I could recompense the item.

I wouldn't say anything for £20, I have a dog and you sort of have to put things away that they might be attracted to when they are little. You could maybe slip it in conversation as a bit of a joke or something along those lines but I think mentioning it seriously would be a bit tricky x

Of course you should tell them. I’d be mortified if my dog ate a friend’s shoe - even if they did leave it lying around. You’ve got every right to leave your shoes wherever you want in your own home

I can’t even believe you need to ask the question. Of course you let it go. Name a puppy who doesn’t chew shoes!

Its not OP home, she is dog sitting

Think I'd mention it light heartedly as well. And not expect a replacement but be pleased if they offered.

I’ve been on the other side of this situation, apart from the fact that I was also paying my godson & his girlfriend to dog-sit. He mentioned it to me jokingly & I just felt that it was the decent thing to pay for a new pair. I had told them that the dogs chewed things, but they weren’t used to chewy dogs and mistakes are easy to make when you’re not used to it. I’ve lost lots of shoes & I know full well what they’re like!!

It's not her own home though, is it?

I would mention it light hearted. Whilst mentioning the bed and anything else.

I would be very surprised if they were not planning to give you something anyway. House sitting and dog sitting regardless of your reasons would be expensive.

I wouldn’t make a special announcement, but if it comes up I’d say he’s been doing lots of chewing, including my shoe! (I.e. I wouldn’t deliberately not tell them).

I wouldn’t ask/expect them to pay, but if they offer to that would be nice.

Thanks for all your answers. You are right, I think they might give me some kind of present. I might mention it, but only if they ask directly.

I don’t mean this rudely, but do you have any experience of dogs? I not ask as I’m a (albeit not regularly) dog sitter and I’d have been able to stop that behaviour pretty quickly and I would also have been mitigating for slip ups - ie if that was me I would not be mentioning it as it would be my fault.
Also, what on earth are you doing dog sitting for free for someone you don’t know? Are you insured? They’re getting an amazing deal of six days free dog and house sitting, regardless of whether you’re happy to be there or not.

I would probably mention it lightheartedly if they ask how things are going /went - “all good, lost a shoe to the land shark!” And then ball is in their court.

Twenty quid and a dog for a holiday away from your ex? Sounds like a bargain to me.