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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:
Floofydawg · 28/06/2024 12:31

I do honestly appreciate all of the advice and I never said my dog was perfect, I just don't appreciate being made to feel like an inconvenience for a service I'm paying for. And I'm also surprised at the turnaround from her when she had him twice last year and couldn't compliment him enough.

I will take the advice on board re the training. I know lots of people on here don't like poodle crosses and that's coming through on some of the replies.

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 28/06/2024 12:35

@ShouldhavebeencalledAppollo - yep, they're absolutely both at fault here.

fleabites · 28/06/2024 12:53

Find someone else. She should have informed you of the rate increases.
Also, she should be giving you a list in advance of what she wants you to bring - eg. the bed.
She just doesn't sound very professional.

LoveSandbanks · 28/06/2024 16:24

Floofydawg · 28/06/2024 12:31

I do honestly appreciate all of the advice and I never said my dog was perfect, I just don't appreciate being made to feel like an inconvenience for a service I'm paying for. And I'm also surprised at the turnaround from her when she had him twice last year and couldn't compliment him enough.

I will take the advice on board re the training. I know lots of people on here don't like poodle crosses and that's coming through on some of the replies.

Just to be clear, I’ve absolutely nothing against poodle crosses, or poodles. I had a poodle myself until earlier this year. Absolutely adored him. Snappy little fucker tho’. He was a toy poodle weighing in at 5kg. My 40kg bull lurcher was scared of him! 🤣

Id get another poodle in a heartbeat.

Blondiebeachbabe · 28/06/2024 17:52

£28 is a bargain. You'll struggle to find anyone else that cheap. Not the point, but just saying.

JuneSun24 · 28/06/2024 17:54

she likes the money, not the work. I wouldn’t use her again. Sounds miserable.

JuneSun24 · 28/06/2024 17:57

Floofydawg · 28/06/2024 12:31

I do honestly appreciate all of the advice and I never said my dog was perfect, I just don't appreciate being made to feel like an inconvenience for a service I'm paying for. And I'm also surprised at the turnaround from her when she had him twice last year and couldn't compliment him enough.

I will take the advice on board re the training. I know lots of people on here don't like poodle crosses and that's coming through on some of the replies.

You don’t expect perfection as a pet sitter. You expect a pet. Very few animals are really that well trained and often an issue for you is not an issue for their owner. You’re not unreasonable OP.

Floofydawg · 28/06/2024 20:43

Thankyou @JuneSun24

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 28/06/2024 22:30

I have two poodle crosses and they are lovely dogs. Use Trustedhousesitters.

Becgoz7 · 09/09/2024 20:07

Wideskye · 26/06/2024 22:20

Yuck, previously she wanted the dog in her bed.

All of the dogs that I look after sleep on my bed. There's nothing yuck about it

Becgoz7 · 09/09/2024 20:09

She sounds like a right pain. We expect dogs to be unwell at times, it's all part of looking after them. Why was she trying to get grass out of his mouth 🙄 I'd find someone else.

TheWorldisGoingMad · 04/11/2024 13:33

Floofydawg · 26/06/2024 22:22

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.

Anyone can set up a business, even if they know nothing about dog psychology and hav zero experience with dogs. Does she have ANY independent reviews online. I'd be checking before I left my dog with anyone. The same as I would with my children. Remember they can't tell you how awful someone is to them. Your dog will always be really happy to see you. It doesn't mean your dog had a great time.

Now way in hell I'd be leaving my dog with her.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 04/11/2024 14:12

I once used a dog walker that I found in a hurry (I had moved somewhere new and was restarting work within 2 weeks, so had to find one quickly). My dog was quite subdued and not very happy when I got home. Dogwalker told me dog walked too slowly and she and the other dogs kept having to wait for her. I hadn't really found the dogwalker terribly friendly or polite either. After 3 weeks, I had a text to say my dog had bitten her and was being taken back to my home in a muzzle and she would not walk her again. I was horrified, apologised profusely and sent flowers. I thought it very unlike my dog to bite a human. Eventually the dogwalker confessed that she had had my dog and her smaller dog with her, both on leads. She had overbalanced and fallen on top of my dog (she was a heavy woman) and my dog had reacted by going for her dog. She then put her hand down to separate them and accidentally got bitten. I found another walker, who was relaxed, friendly and sensible and my dog was happy to be taken out by her and much happier overall. First dogwalker seemed to go out of business in less than a year. I don't think she was in the right job.

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