Hidden camera?

[Germainedestael]

Hi, I’ve name changed for this.
My mum is too old to walk her dog. I walk him 3 days a week, my son 1 day, and my mum has a dog walker the other 3 days.
My mum is devoted to the dog walker and she seems lovely. But .... I’m worried. It’s mainly the way the dog reacts to her. I’ve never seen him behave this way with other people. He seems frightened, refuses to go, whines. Just not himself. (Though he’s ok when he comes back.)
I can’t persuade my mum to get another walker (she’s rural so it would be difficult).
So I’ve been thinking about attaching (if this is possible) a hidden camera to his harness, just for one walk, to see what happens. Would this be legal? Ethically acceptable? (Obviously I don’t want to intrude on her privacy.)
Has anyone ever done anything like this?
I hope this doesn’t sound too shocking, just not sure what to do. (I’ve thought about getting a friend to watch them on the walk& see what happens but suspect this would be very difficult as they go to different places for walks.)

I wonder whether the walker is walking another dog at the same time, and this is what's upsetting your Mum's dog.

Could you not follow/watch them somehow?

If not, then, I wouldn't hesitate to go with the camera.

I don't think it would be intruding on her privacy if the camera was attached to the dog's collar. It's not like you'd be filming her, just the route of the walk, unless anything untoward happened. People put cameras in relatives' homes/bedrooms if they suspect any wrongdoing from carers, so I don't think it would be illegal?

Has anyone spoken to the dog Walker, does she feel happy and confident walking with the dog. Could it be because the dog is not with family who he may know better. Put a camera on the collar but does your mum agree with you doing this. Hope it's all innocent and easy to explain.

No, that's intruding on her privacy.

Yes that’s what I worry about, privacy, how I would feel if it was me. I think I’m going to have to find a way of getting a friend to watch. She seems so nice - but an animal can’t speak up for itself.
Yes, there is another dog at the same time. Could be him - he’s bigger.
Thanks all!

That’s really odd behaviour from your Mum’s DDog. I’d be worried too.

Has the walker offered any explanation? Do they do the same walks as you and your DS? Perhaps something on the walk is spooking him? Or another dog, like a PP suggested.

If that didn’t help, I would be looking to follow them, to be honest.

Cross posted!

Sounds most likely to be the other dog. Perhaps she could do a lone walk at a different time for a little extra money?