Agh! Misunderstand at kennels!

[khaleesi71]

DPuppy (10 months) goes to doggy daycare and is dropped off at 8. I arrived and news bulletin was playing so it was 8 or a min or two after. Kennel office was open but no one there. I rang the bell and waited - not in a hurry that morning and I was happy to hang on. I do realise that routines in the morning are important in kennels. After 5 mins I rang again. I was just contemplating leaving him in the secure field when a voice told me to come up to working entrance of kennels. I walked up with food and lead. Lady owner launched into me about being late and needing to be here on the nose. She was I thought overly agitated and I didn't want to get into it. I wasn't fussed about waiting - I handed her the lead and his bag of food and said I was here at 8. I walked away and she was shouting after me that she was always hanging around for DH. I just went back to my car - as I said I didn't want a confrontation as I think it's one of those things when people make assumptions about events and timing and unpicking it is overblown and not helpful. I was on time and didn't mind waiting.

Last time I was early (5mins) and put DPuppy in the secure field and tied his lead (bright yellow) and food to the fence. They didn't see this and said to DH I'd left him without either and didn't feed him for the day. So I was reluctant to do it straight away but was thinking I could leave food and lead in office but thought they might think I was being passive aggressive so want to wait.

I should also say that DH usually takes him and he's away.

Owner has now text husband to say I was late and rude and practically threw the lead at her!! She is demanding an apology. I regret a misunderstanding, but I was on time and I most certainly did not throw the lead at her.

We like the kennels - it's convenient and DPuppy seems to like it there. Any suggestions on how to diffuse??

if they are like this with people what are they like with the dogs when owners arent there? and why would you just leave your dog tied to a fence????

Well that went as badly as it could go! Arrived (on time). Owner came out without khaleesidog (which they normally do) and said she was expecting an apology. I said there had been a misunderstanding and khaleesidog enjoys his kennels. She just said I was rude - I tried to say there was a difference in opinion - I had no problem waiting and understood her routine but felt her pointed comments about being late were not necessary and that I felt she was also aggressive. She told me to take my dog elsewhere and I again said that was sad and I was sorry for the misunderstanding.

Then she turned back and pointed her finger and said I've never had this before and she has khaleesidog more than we do (we have just moved house (unplanned - our circs changed unexpectedly earlier this year) and had a family wedding o/seas (planned) so did use them quite a bit). I said that was quite judgemental and unnecessary and we use them because we trust them. She then said - so you've apologised and I said yes, for the misunderstanding. She went and got khaleesidog who was on their lead but as she approached she just let go of him and flounced walked off. Thankfully he bounded over to me (we are still working hard on recall) and I got him in the car - but that was my end point. I will email them tonight - but am now looking for new daycare. I wouldn't take him back there now.

@HisBetterHalf lead and food were tied to a fence. Khaleesidog in the secure field running free.

Odd behaviour, I think she just really doesn’t like you!

Oh dear that didn't sound good . Time to look for another place.

Sounds like she is one of the "weird people" Best to find somewhere else before she goes really weird.

Lucky escape by the sounds of it.

That sounds totally and utterly bat shit fucking crazy. Letting go of the lead = valuing her own point scoring over the welfar eof the dog, imo. I would worry that the lead thing wasn't the first time that day, that your dog had 'paid' for your 'rudeness'.

Run for the fucking hills (and name and shame)!

She sounds unhinged - I wouldn't leave my dog with them.

I would definitely email tonight, again pointing out you were on time and adding that as you let my dog go without knowing if it would come to me or go in the road you can no longer trust her and won’t be returning. I just hope you owe her some money!

I'd also post a very truthful review online.

Havent RTFT, but no way would I be giving her any more custom. And I'd enjoy the text/email/conversation telling her why.

She sounds unhinged, if she behaves in this way towards you how is she treating your dog when you aren't there? I'm glad you are finding another day care, I'd also be leaving reviews online.

I used a doggy daycare like this. The woman was totally unhinged with no social skills at all. I wonder if its the same one?
Does it have 'wood' in the name?
Safe to say I wouldnt take my dogs there again...
Totally bonkers.

She told your husband on you?? like you are a child!

I don't really understand why you didn't just explain that morning that you had been waiting in the wrong place. Your insistence on just walking off probably came across as really rude.

Obviously you'll now be going to another kennel anyway, but I can see why you rubbed the kennel owner up the wrong way to be honest.

@PCohle I wasn't waiting in the wrong place - I was called up to the 'working entrance' rather than the women coming down to me at the customer entrance. Wasn't a problem at all until she launched at me with a tirade of being late - I wasn't and told her I wasn't, which she felt was 'rude' - probably because I didn't stay to listen to her ranting.

Anyway - moving on and away from the drama llama. I found new kennels today with better checks, paperwork etc. Seem more balanced - we've had good reviews of this one but was a little further way so we didn't visit last time. Khaleesidog starts a trial tomorrow.

You did nothing wrong OP , the woman sounds like a loon and really not cut out to be working in a customer facing role . Hope your dog gets on ok tomorrow .