My dog ate my visitors shoes 👟

[ClippyClopp]

I work as a private tutor- mum and daughter just came for their appointment. I have a young rescue Viszla, I put him out the back as he can be boisterous especially when people visit.

on arrival they had taken off their shoes which was very courteous of them, but I hadn’t asked them to and hadn’t noticed as I had turned around whilst showing them into my teaching room.

During my lesson, the dog had been let in (by either DH or one of the children) and unbeknownst to anyone taken the shoes into the living room.

I wondered why the mum looked confused when it was time to leave and then noticed she wasn’t wearing shoes, I walked in to the living room and one of her shoes was completely demolished with bits of sole and laces all over the floor.

I was obviously massively embarrassed and apologised profusely, thankfully he hadn’t eaten the daughters Nike trainers. I offered to reimburse the mum but she said not to worry as they weren’t expensive. She did giggle but I realise she was probably just being polite.

What made it worse was it was raining and she had to hop to the car in her one remaining shoe, avoiding puddles.

Do you think she’ll come back? Is there anything else I should do to make this ok?

I wouldn't worry, you've offered to sort it out, its up to them now whether they take you up on it, come back to you for more tutoring, or not.

If they do come back, suggest they keep shoes on or offer a secure place to put shoes.

Accidents happen - I mean if anyone would like to tell me the trick to training ones dog with a click of the fingers, instantly, please do... I'd make a fucking fortune selling that .... for the rest of the normal world, training dogs takes time, involves management, habit building, a degree of being able to see into the future, the ability to manage environments and other peoples behaviour... Most people understand this!

Oh this made me giggle! 🤭

Don’t offer again, just give her a free lesson. It’s only fair.

That's funny, my friends cat ate one of her new boots. At least it wasn't anyone else's though

I'd draw a line under it now and have people keep their shoes on in future 😄

You've done all the right things OP. This is really funny though!!

Maybe offer to give the lesson for free this week to cover cost of shoes?

You need to rent a room to tutor in.

I have never walked into a business and been asked to take my shoes off.

Either do it professionally, or don't do it.

I have never walked into a business and been asked to take my shoes off.

This bit...

on arrival they had taken off their shoes which was very courteous of them, but I hadn’t asked them to and hadn’t noticed

Oh my goodness that made me chuckle.

Reminds me of a time that I was standing next to a lovely policeman at a bus stop with my well behaved dog beside me - both of us sheltering from the rain and then to my shock and horror my dog cocked his leg and peed all over his waterproof trousers and boots. I was bloody mortified - he’s never peed on anyone before or since. I was so utterly embarrassed 🙈 and mortified and this lovely man just said
‘the bonus is that it’s not human and I needed new boots anyway’ I offered to pay or have the
cleaned and he was just so nice.

This is more than reasonable OP 😊

No one was asked to take their shoes off 🙄

The fact that you're so embarrassed means you're a good person who cares about others. I'd say that's an excellent quality for a tutor to have, even if you do come with a naughty dog!

I'd come back, especially if the next session was free. Maybe they seriously weren't that expensive. I have some sainsburys pumps I've been wearing to death and they were only £6 in their sale!

This made me laugh. I have to warn guests not to leave shoes where our puppy can get to them, or he'll take them out to the garden. Hunt the shoe is a regular pastime at home...fortunately he doesn't shred them, but soggy shoes aren't pleasant either...

Bit overkill... renting a room out just to tutor? Presumably passing the costs on to your clients.

It's polite for many people, to remove shoes in other people's homes. In no way is this the fault of the mum or daughter.

I think it's funny.
I'd actually find it quite comforting that my child was being tutored by a down to earth teacher who wasn't perfect!
Can you say you'll do an extra half hour on top of the hour next time?

I've tutored for 20 years, as have a few of my friends. If your home is not suitable you rent some space.

I can't remember a single person feeling they had to take their shoes off.

Tutee's parents are not visitors to my house/work space they are clients.

I have a similarish dickhead dog, she does not interact with clients.

Tutoring is not some twee little job done by simpering women, who have dogs that may eat your shoes, it is a profession.

I don’t understand sorry, no one asked her to take her shoes off

Send a message to apologise, offer again to replace them. Don’t charge for the session and maybe send followers then forget it.

I have a large property and am very professional thanks

You can't blame your client for removing shoes out of politeness. You need to tell you husband and children to keep the dog under control.

There's nothing wrong with removing shoes (was she supposed to know the dog would rip up her shoes?)

There is something wrong with having a dog run riot when you're apparently working

I’m not sure you read or understood the op?

I did, thanks. Your client removed her shoes. Someone let your dog out and it destroyed them.

My dog ate my mum’s bra whilst she was in the shower. Luckily she is understanding and not generously endowed.

The bit about me blaming them? I didn’t blame anyone