Nanny + puppy?

[Joliefleur]

Family have just got a puppy. It's slightly older than a usual puppy is taken from its mum - in theory, he'd be trained saving me the trouble. It is not!
I am also a nwoc and the pup keeps biting my son!
He was very confident with dogs beforehand and now is not quite so sure. He clings round my legs every morning when we arrive - anticipating the dog to jump at his face (large dog!!!)
I am just fed up of cleaning up dog wee/poo/sick, rescuing it when it escapes out of the garden, kids being unable to play because it snatches toys
Any advice?
Ps mb/db see this happening, so are fully aware.

you have a choice, to try and sort it out, or leave and find a dogless job

ive been where you are, but i had 3 under 5.5, 5.5 2.5 and baby one day younger then puppy, so when he came was a 8 week old

the puppy needs its own space, whether a large cage/cushion etc which is out of bounds for children

the wee/poo is annoying but once dog is potty trained :) it will be easier

have you discussed with mb

Was sprung on me - kids already knew they were getting a puppy. So it was up to me to upset them and say no, which I obviously was not going to do.
I care for 5 children plus my ds. So during the day I have 4 under 5 - 4.5, 2, 2 & 5 months. Then older 2 are at school.
It's very hard work and I'm debating whether to stay or not because I'm completely exhausted.
Puppy is very large and needs lots of walks to burn off excess energy otherwise it's tearing the house up

House is open plan, so although dog has it's own crate, it often just wanders around often just following the children.

At what age do dogs become fully house trained? I know it's probably like children - but does anyone know roughly? Pup is currently 7 months, I thought it'd be a lot better by now.

Rarely see mb. Db is fully aware and doesn't seem to address the situation but just to pass the book to me.

Looks like it's back to taking him out every 15 mins then - I was just leaving the door open, hoping he'd get the hang of it so I don't have to take all of the kids out and constantly disturb their play.

To be honest, I think it's a lot more responsibility than I had initially thought. I'd be more than happy to work for a family that had a house trained adult dog (I do love dogs!) but not a puppy with lots of children - it just doesn't seem to work.

Thanks for your advice

you have to 'teach dogs' just like kids

sounds like puppy needs to be potty trained, and go to puppy training classes and your employers need to get a dog walker

you need to tell your employers what hard work it is and then decide both together how to tackle the situation

and yes by 7mths he should be pretty much house trained but as no one has shown him, he isnt iyswim

I have been showing him - taking him out , rewarding with treats/fuss when he's done his 'business'. So have only recently been leaving the door open for him. Parents idea as I said it was hard work taking all 4 kids out and disturbing them.

I've just been letting him out and standing at the back door so I can watch kids - but that isn't working. Will go back to old routine and hopefully that will be rectified.

It's just the nipping that's getting to me at the moment. My partner is furious when I come back and say that our ds has been bitten today.

I will suggest puppy classes. Although it will most likely be just obedience training classes as puppy class as to be started before 16 weeks according to kennel club.

You look after six kids and a puppy???????

Dear god, you have the patience of a saint! As a guide, of the three dogs I've owned, the first was about 16 weeks when we rehomed him from rescue, and took a week or two to fully housetrain (and I had a toddler). Second dog was about 18 months when we took her on and already housetrained, third dog was three but had always lived outdoors; she learned how to be a housedog within a couple of weeks too.

A puppy is incredibly hard work, and it's totally unreasonable of your employers to expect you to look after so many dc and sort out the bloody dog!

Jesus- 5 kids and then they expect you to look after a puppy?! Your employers are taking the mick and they clearly aren't actively trying to train the dog. Does he have a crate he can go in? I can tell you from experience- you will have hell trying to get an older pup used to a crate- it can be done, but expect a lot of migraines and frustration in the meantime.

Sit down with your employer and tell them you aren't willing to handle the dog anymore and to hire a dog walker/sitter. They chose to get one not you so it shouldn't be your responsibility and to me they are taking advantage and using you as a free meal ticket for dog care.

I agree with the recent posters - 6 kids including baby & 2 toddlers is more than most could handle but to introduce an untrained puppy & expect you to look after it is totally unreasonable & thoughtless. Are you FT op? If so when exactly did parents think they could train the puppy or did they just assume you'd do it? Insist they employ a dog walker at least whilst he (& DC) are still so young & explain he'll need to be crated occasionally (or better still some sort of pen made) so the little ones can roam freely without fear of being licked/bitten/crawl in poo .

I'd also check they intend to take him to regular obedience classes when he's old enough.

im assuming toddler is op's child, but yes a lot of children to look after

always thought it weird that a cm cant have more then 3 under 5 but a nanny can

6 kids and a puppy. I hope you are earning a small fortune.

It is totally unacceptable for your child to be bitten. I'd be insisting on dogwalking/training twice a day for the summer months or issuing notice. It's not in your contract to look after a dog is it?...

Are you Ofsted registered op? I know it's voluntary for nannies but I don't know if you'd be able to be cleared, ratio wise.

It's sounds like far too much op, they should really have discussed getting a puppy with you before deciding on going for it, that's very unfair.

Iron gnome as long as the children are not from more than two families I don't believe Ofsted restrict numbers; some one correct me if I'm wrong. But my nanny insurance restricts me to 6 children.

I thought they had ratios, but if some of the children are related then they can make special allowances? I've got no idea really, it doesn't really matter- I was just thinking out loud really!!

Joliefleur, how is it going with puppy. Look at link posted at end of thread babysitting for £5. This case has made me start to rethink pets.