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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

its a dog walking one...

33 replies

HoneyImHomex · 30/05/2023 09:43

how many times is acceptable to be let down last minute (less than 3 hours and once at the time of arranged walk) before you find another dog walker?

not sure if I should be more accommodating for life's unexpected situations but obviously we have a dog walker as we're both at work etc

OP posts:
Ohdearwhatnow4 · 30/05/2023 09:48

Depends on reason and time scale. If 3 times in a few months I'd start looking unless life or death situation. Could you perhaps use 3 dog walkers so if one couldn't do it the other might be able to and vise versa

Original poster
HoneyImHomex · 30/05/2023 09:54

@Ohdearwhatnow4 its been 3 times this month..

OP posts:
CalistoNoSolo · 30/05/2023 10:15

I'd go elsewhere, I doubt it will improve.

LolaSmiles · 30/05/2023 10:16

3 times in a month would be enough for me to start looking for a new dog walker, unless they were a great dog walker who I'd used a long time and they were having a rough patch.

Original poster
HoneyImHomex · 30/05/2023 10:29

its been 3 separate reasons

OP posts:
SilverTotoro · 30/05/2023 13:59

Definitely a new dog walker, an emergency every now and then happens but three short notice in a month isn’t fair on you or your dogs.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 30/05/2023 14:06

Honestly reliability is SO important to me. I don’t have a dog Walker because it’s a nice to have, I have a dog Walker because it’s a service I need.
3 hours before they arrive doesn’t give me enough time to sort an alternative option or sort working from home.
Id probably let it fly once (but not happy!), if it happened again I’d look elsewhere.

onefinemess · 30/05/2023 14:08

You're BVVVVVVVVVVU for having a dog when you don't even have the time to take it for a walk.

GimmeSleep · 30/05/2023 14:16

onefinemess · 30/05/2023 14:08

You're BVVVVVVVVVVU for having a dog when you don't even have the time to take it for a walk.

ODFOD - hope this helps

@HoneyImHomex I'd definitely be looking for a new one now, 3 times in that short a period doesn't fill you with confidence.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 30/05/2023 14:32

onefinemess · 30/05/2023 14:08

You're BVVVVVVVVVVU for having a dog when you don't even have the time to take it for a walk.

Ffs why do people have to be such dicks?!

There could be a million and one reasons someone needs a dog walker.

Op I changed dog walkers for this exact reason. I need someone reliable and I don't think cancelling at the last min is okay when you're relying on them.

loobylou10 · 30/05/2023 14:41

@onefinemess don't be a dick. Either answer the question or ignore - it's really not that difficult.

Original poster
HoneyImHomex · 30/05/2023 14:46

@onefinemess you won’t get the reaction your hoping for so move along to another thread.

thanks for the replies, it’s annoying as their in place for a reason. I’m going to look for another one

OP posts:
CloudlessSunnyDays · 30/05/2023 15:15

@HoneyImHomex I hope you find one that's more reliable!!

you could always stop working so you don't need a dog Walker!

🙄🙄😂😂

Original poster
HoneyImHomex · 30/05/2023 15:17

@CloudlessSunnyDays oh imagine 😂

OP posts:
alwayssocomplicated · 30/05/2023 15:31

Definitely change. Ours has never canceled but if they canceled 3 times in a month - that would mean 3 days I would have to leave work and not get paid - and if it continued I would lose major income.

Our dog walker is there to make life easier not to create more stress.

I understand everyone has emergencies , but 3 in a month is extreme.

Yellowdays · 30/05/2023 15:46

onefinemess · 30/05/2023 14:08

You're BVVVVVVVVVVU for having a dog when you don't even have the time to take it for a walk.

Oh do be quiet.

tatteddear · 30/05/2023 20:27

I'm a dog Walker and the only time I cancelled my walks was when I was floored with covid and couldn't even get myself downstairs. People rely on their dog Walker so they can work and the dogs are fine-it's important to be reliable-it's not as if people can just pop home to let the dog out in most cases in the day, or they wouldn't need me in the first place!

Alphabeaters · 30/05/2023 21:12

In 2 years ours has cancelled once, when his van broke down.

FourFoxSake · 31/05/2023 08:45

In 5+ years of having a dog walker, there have been two short notice cancellations.

I wouldn't be sticking with someone who cancelled 3x in a month. I'd be pretty unimpressed with 3x a YEAR, tbh.

Original poster
HoneyImHomex · 06/06/2023 10:14

just for a giggle she has cancelled again this morning.. now rapidly emailing 100+ dog walkers hahaha!

OP posts:
lastminutewednesday · 06/06/2023 11:38

I'll do it if you are near me :)

WiddlinDiddlin · 06/06/2023 11:43

Asides from weather related cancellations (in which case I'd expect a 'toilet break and play' session offered instead), 2 x in a month would be it for me.

Is it possible she doesn't really want to walk your dog but isn't professional enough to say so?

WhatWouldHopperDo · 06/06/2023 11:44

Out of interest, what are the reasons she has given? (if it's not too outing)

Softoprider · 06/06/2023 11:45

I think dog walkers or the idea of them is great. It means you can have a dog and work. I have thought about being a dog walker myself but the responsibility scares me. If I were to do it I would not be like the dog walkers I see locally, walking up to five and sometimes seven dogs all at once, some of them raring to go and the others being dragged on at the back. This is not what you want as an owner is it ?
It looks like money for jam to me when it is done badly and gives all the decent dog walkers a bad bane

Original poster
HoneyImHomex · 06/06/2023 11:55

she's a young girl and what i've recently found out is that she has a daughter, used to be a dog groomer but came back into dog walking.
shes made little facebook videos about walking our dog so seems to enjoy it?

So far;
no money for bus ticket (asked me to pay in advance o she could get here)s
sickness bug
partner been called into work last minute so no school pickup
child missing nursery (didnt say why didnt expect her to)
and lastly had something on the day she had to do, i messaged at 1pm as she usually walks at 12 and she said what she had planned is taking longer than expected so couldnt do that day (all of this on the day)

OP posts: