Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog walker took drinks

64 replies

Threecacti · 07/07/2023 18:11

I have someone who comes in to walk my dog and let the cat out when I am on a long office day. They are quite new to me and have been with me about 6 weeks.

They seem reliable and always turn up when planned. I pay by BACS either on the day or the next day, never been late or need to be chased to pay.

However, I noticed I had some drinks on top of the fridge which have been disappearing a can at a time when they come round. I don't drink them (I use then for guests) so I know I haven't accidentally had more than planned, and no-one else has been here.

I honestly don't begrudge the dog walker having one but I did think it was a bit off that they didn't ask? I would never take something like that from a client personally.

Would you say something? It has been hard to find someone so I don't want to seem like I'm being confrontational

YABU - it's fine just leave them to take it
YANBU - Say or do something

OP posts:
WaitingForNothingGood · 07/07/2023 19:00

KateJohns · 07/07/2023 18:31

Wouldn't bother me in the least, unless it's particularly expensive cans of drink.
Just random cans of Pepsi or Sprite, have at it dog walker, especially on hot days.

If you were a dog walker would you take a can of drink without asking?

Dymaxion · 07/07/2023 19:04

I take it you live alone @Threecacti and have no-one else coming into the house when you aren't there like a cleaner or a relative ?

Irequireausername · 07/07/2023 19:06

Why would they do that? It's very strange to just take things from a client's home. It's presumptuous.

Mummy08m · 07/07/2023 19:08

They are soft drinks?

I think 60p extra is a small extra weekly fee for a happy and loyal dog walker. If you need an extra favour some time they'll be more likely to oblige. If you raise it, they'll be "working to rule" much more.

This is the principle that's meant I've kept the same cleaner for over ten years, and had a pair of go-to builders who are always fully booked but who have come back repeatedly to do fab work on our house. Just don't sweat the small stuff and people will go the extra mile for you.

Thankfulforthenewday · 07/07/2023 19:09

Why would anyone want to drink warm pop? Surely must be taking it home. It’s not the pop taking that would bother me it’s the doing it without letting me know.

NuffSaidSam · 07/07/2023 19:10

It's possible, if all the other people they dog walk for have said 'help yourself', that they've forgotten that you haven't said that. They've maybe just assumed if it's ok in every other house then it's ok in yours. I don't know what the standard arrangement for dog walkers is.

I think assuming that they'll go on to steal money etc and you need to install a camera is ridiculous. They clearly think what they're doing is ok as they're taking something from plain sight, they're not trying to deceive you. It seems likely to be a misunderstanding.

Original poster
Threecacti · 07/07/2023 19:12

@Dymaxion correct

It was quite clearly out the way - on top a full standing fridge.

If they had wanted a nice cold drink I'd have happily put them in the fridge! In fact that might be how I broach it... asking them if they'd like me to put them in the fridge so they have a cold one next time? Let's them know I'm aware without being accusatory

OP posts:
Original poster
Threecacti · 07/07/2023 19:13

Yeah I'm definitely not putting a camera in!

And they have never disturbed anything else in the house at all, which is also why I wonder they've got confused and thought that was open season on the drinks

OP posts:
SBHon · 07/07/2023 19:16

Threecacti · 07/07/2023 19:12

@Dymaxion correct

It was quite clearly out the way - on top a full standing fridge.

If they had wanted a nice cold drink I'd have happily put them in the fridge! In fact that might be how I broach it... asking them if they'd like me to put them in the fridge so they have a cold one next time? Let's them know I'm aware without being accusatory

This makes it sound like you’re ok with the dog walker taking them though, are you? Don’t say this if you’re not.

cloudsandream · 07/07/2023 19:17

Loads of dramatic replies on this thread over a can of soda. What they gonna steal next? Cameras? Really??

OP if they’re out of the way like you said, sure, it’s strange, but i wouldn’t be bothered if the dog walker was as good as you say and hadn’t been tampering with anything else.

No need for the dramatics or fuss, make a light joke out of it and leave out some water for them instead.

Jongleterre · 07/07/2023 19:22

From your description they are only in your home a few minutes at a time. That would make me question that they are in there a lot longer or they are just helping themselves to a can and taking it away unopened in which case there is no need for them to do so.

readbooksdrinktea · 07/07/2023 19:23

BreatheAndFocus · 07/07/2023 18:44

It’s stealing. What else have they taken that you haven’t noticed? That’s what I’d be thinking.

I would too tbh. He should just have asked.

thorneyislanddoris · 07/07/2023 19:24

That's a total piss take. It's not like they're doing you a favour. Presumably you are paying them well for their services. You don't owe them free drinks as well!

Move the drinks out of sight and keep your eye out for further things going missing.

Allowing someone into your home is a matter of trust. They are breaking that trust by stealing from you.

KateJohns · 07/07/2023 19:25

WaitingForNothingGood · 07/07/2023 19:00

If you were a dog walker would you take a can of drink without asking?

Show quote history

That would depend.

Was I thirsty?
Would it cause a shortage to a hard up and poverty stricken person?
Did I think they'd mind me having a drink after walking their dog?
Was there any kind of 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' type of deal in the relationship? (Maybe I'd walked their dog a bit longer or driven the dog somewhere as a favour etc.)
Had the client ever said to grab a drink if you want one?
Did I feel my work was valued or looked down on because I'm 'just the dog walker'?
Lots of variables, ultimately, I probably would have one if there were plenty and hadn't been touched. I'd likely leave a note tho.. "pinched a can, hope you don't mind, if you do, stop being so petty you badger fondler"

Irequireausername · 07/07/2023 19:33

It's just not something worth risking. They could get reviews of being a thief, there could be cameras that go on social media, potentially losing a source of income, or at least worsening your relationship with a client. None of that is worth stealing a can of pop.

Cherryana · 07/07/2023 19:47

If your dog walker wanted a drink - then a glass of tap water = no issue.

Taking a can of drink is a character thing and would be difficult for me to reconcile really.

You can play it three ways - buy some cans of drink for the dog water and leave with a note that they can help themselves to these.

You can ask them directly if they have taken it and say you had brought it for someone specific eg your aunt who was coming to visit and you would politely request that they don't take them in the future.

You sack them and find someone who doesn't take your stuff.

Cherryana · 07/07/2023 19:47

*dog walker not dog water.

stbrandonsboat · 07/07/2023 19:53

I'm a dog walker and I'd never take any food/drink unless it was accompanied by a note telling me to take them - like chocolate at Christmas. People leave all kinds out, like money and diamond rings on window sills! A dog walker needs to be trustworthy.

MumblesParty · 07/07/2023 19:53

Mindymomo · 07/07/2023 18:18

If you are leaving them out on fridge and dog walker has to go in kitchen, I would say they probably think you’ve left them for them to have. Reliable dog walkers are hard to get, so If you don’t want the person taking them, put them away.

I have a cleaner. I’ve got a radio on top of my fridge, and a grating gadget. Does that mean she’s entitled to take them?

MumblesParty · 07/07/2023 19:54

cloudsandream · 07/07/2023 19:17

Loads of dramatic replies on this thread over a can of soda. What they gonna steal next? Cameras? Really??

OP if they’re out of the way like you said, sure, it’s strange, but i wouldn’t be bothered if the dog walker was as good as you say and hadn’t been tampering with anything else.

No need for the dramatics or fuss, make a light joke out of it and leave out some water for them instead.

Soda?

Potentialmadcatlady · 07/07/2023 19:56

Im a dog walker. If I was thirsty and had nothing in my car I would drink a glass of tap water and wash out the glass. Anything else is stealing. I would get someone new

Thoughtful2355 · 07/07/2023 20:02

Its not okay, They need to ask before they take ANYTHING, whats next? helping themself to food? or money lying around?

Original poster
Threecacti · 07/07/2023 20:13

It does feel like a trust thing I agree.

I adore my dog and I'm actually less upset that a potentially untrustworthy person is in my house than that they are in charge of my dog.

Its just so weird as I didn't get that vibe at all when I met them, if anything they were very shy. I'd have thought it'd be an over confident person who would do something like that.

OP posts:
User57632678373 · 07/07/2023 20:28

Are they alcoholic drinks or just regular OP? Only because my first thought is if it’s the former then likely a bigger issue at hand, but if they’re just regular drinks then yes that’s very strange indeed

CantFindTheBeat · 07/07/2023 20:48

A ring-style doorbell indoor camera costs very little.
.

You're the one who thinks things are going missing.

If they're thirsty, have a glass of water.

What else are they doing or not doing???