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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Dogsitter complaining about normal dog behaviour

88 replies

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:12

We've just picked our dog up from a dogsitter we've used in the past. We've always thought she was a bit eccentric but today has left us feeling like the dog was just an inconvenience to her, for a number of reasons.

She's told us on past visits not to bring his bed as he sleeps on her bed with her, something she instigated on a previous stay. She then proceeded to complain about the lack of dog bed both on drop off and pick up (we offered to go back and get it when we dropped off but she said it didn't matter).

He was sick in her bedroom a couple of times which she complained about (he's been on meds for an ear infection which could have been the cause).

She tried to get grass out of his mouth and he snapped at her. She referred to him as being 'like a rottweiler' - he's a poodle cross! And what dog likes having things taken out of his mouth?!

She then went on and on about how she'd never have a poodle cross because they're all mad and she'll stick to pure breeds.

The final straw was her not telling us about a rate increase until we arranged a pick up time.

I've just been left with a bad feeling from someone I've just paid a reasonable amount of money to for a service. We've got a booking with her later in the year and I'm now feeling like I need to make other arrangements. Would it be unreasonable to cancel based on all of the above?

OP posts:
HysteriaOfTheWanderingWomb · 26/06/2024 22:13

That's way too many goal posts shifting and nonsense for a simple service transaction.
Find alternative arrangements.
I also wouldn't pay the newly invented never mentioned rate increase either.

Bigcoatlady · 26/06/2024 22:17

Hmm on the snapping maybe she didn't express it well but I would want anyone who cared for my dog who encountered snapping to tell me. I can generally take things straight from my dog's mouth if I don't want her to have them. Though I probably wouldn't bother with grass. IF my dog was snapping I would want to know as it might indicate pain (your dog just had an ear infection which might make him extra sensitive). Regardless of whether or not she was complaining she was right to tell you that.

Wideskye · 26/06/2024 22:20

Yuck, previously she wanted the dog in her bed.

Pancakeorcrepe · 26/06/2024 22:21

Yes I would cancel. She sounds chaotic, well more chaotic than the crossbreeds she is raging about 😂
You will find somewhere that welcomes your dog and provides a loving homestay

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:22

Wideskye · 26/06/2024 22:20

Yuck, previously she wanted the dog in her bed.

Not the point of my post at all but thanks for your contribution! (He doesn't sleep on our bed).

Already paid the increased rate, didn't feel like we had a choice. She was like 'oh yeah I increased rates at Xmas, did I not tell you?' Er no.

I just find her very unprofessional given she's running a business.

OP posts:
KreedKafer · 26/06/2024 22:23

She doesn’t sound like someone I’d want anywhere near a dog of mine.

Invent · 26/06/2024 22:23

You're paying. Find someone you like. In truth she sounds ok with your dog but clearly she's not smitten with it and she annoys you.
Unless there's no real option I'd just ask around for someone else.

rockingbird · 26/06/2024 22:24

She sounds barking mad to me. Does she actually like dogs?

the2andahalfmillion · 26/06/2024 22:25

Why oh why was she trying to remove grass from a dog’s mouth?? That’s a perfectly normal snack for a dog. She sounds weird and also sneaky with the price rise, hard no to further sits.

WiddlinDiddlin · 26/06/2024 22:26

Absolutely find a new dog sitter.

They should have sufficient dog behaviour knowledge to know that taking things out of a dogs mouth is stupid and dangerous, even if the owner is dumb enough to have done this to their dog (and actually more likely to result in a bite if the owner DOES think this is how you train a drop/leave it/give)...

The rest is just horribly unprofessional and I'd be very doubtful as to her skills to keep a dog safe, and have all the necessary permissions/licence/paperwork/insurance to do the job properly.

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:26

rockingbird · 26/06/2024 22:24

She sounds barking mad to me. Does she actually like dogs?

Yes, she is a bit mad. She's loved him on previous visits but it's like if there's been any inconvenience (ie a bit of puke) she's annoyed. I think she only wants perfectly behaved dogs. My dog is well trained, he's nowhere near the nightmare she's describing.

OP posts:
the2andahalfmillion · 26/06/2024 22:28

I think it’s common for sitters to enthuse about your dog on early sits. They want repeat business. The good ones only varnish the truth a little bit though and don’t do stupid things like sticking their fingers in a dog’s mouth while they are eating…

Roryhon · 26/06/2024 22:30

KreedKafer · 26/06/2024 22:23

She doesn’t sound like someone I’d want anywhere near a dog of mine.

I thought that too. I’d be cancelling the future booking. Although perhaps make sure you can find someone else first?

ImPunbelievable · 26/06/2024 22:32

They do sounds nuts but k do think you should work with your dog on the snapping. Ours are taught from puppyhood to be ok with their mouths being handled exactly so we can get things out when needed to, check their teeth, look at injuries etc.

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:42

I think you've all confirmed what I thought - thanks.

Yes we do need to work on the snapping but as someone said, most dogs eat grass and there's no need to take it from them.

OP posts:
Noseybookworm · 26/06/2024 22:43

You are buying a service from her. If you are not happy with that service, it's perfectly reasonable for you to go elsewhere! I don't see why you would think this is a problem?

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:45

@Noseybookworm because she gets booked up and might have turned down other bookings because our dog is booked in. Was just trying to do the right thing.

OP posts:
TheFlis · 26/06/2024 22:48

I would have ditched her when she had your dog sleep on her bed. Dog sitters should help maintain a dogs normal routine where they can including sleeping where they normally do.

ToxicChristmas · 26/06/2024 22:51

She wouldn't be someone I would leave my dog with personally. It doesn't have to be a big deal. Cancel the booking and find someone more professional. The bed thing would have been an immediate no for me.

Undisclosedlocation · 26/06/2024 22:53

You need to do the right thing by your dog, not the sitter
Putting him in the charge of someone who is so monumentally stupid they will root around in the mouth of a dog they don’t know that well for some grass and then complain about it when things go wrong has no business around your family pet
What if she did it again (or something equally dumb) and he bit her? She could report him as a dangerous dog and bring untold heartbreak to your household

OperationGoldDawn · 26/06/2024 22:55

@Floofydawg to many red flags on this

Noseybookworm · 26/06/2024 22:56

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:45

@Noseybookworm because she gets booked up and might have turned down other bookings because our dog is booked in. Was just trying to do the right thing.

As long as you give her notice of the cancellation in plenty of time, as per your contract with her, it shouldn't be a problem.

EricHebbornInItaly · 26/06/2024 22:58

No I wouldn’t have her pet sit again because you feel uncomfortable with her, but I would work on the snapping, I wouldn’t call a dog that snaps ‘well trained’.

I also agree with her re poodle crosses, the parks, streets etc where I live are filled with poo x breeds and they are a bloody nightmare.

Floofydawg · 27/06/2024 07:09

I also agree with her re poodle crosses, the parks, streets etc where I live are filled with poo x breeds and they are a bloody nightmare.

Nightmare in what way? That's a bit of a generalisation.

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 27/06/2024 07:15

Is she a licensed dog boarder? If she's not (and it doesn't sound like she is) then she's breaking the law and operating without insurance.