Dog sitter issues

[Floofydawg]

I've found a local home boarder for when we go on holiday in the summer. She's suggested we meet for a walk beforehand to make sure the dog is used to her before we go - all good, and I agree this is sensible.

The issue I have is that she has no flexibility around when we can meet. I work, and she keeps suggesting weekdays. Won't/can't do weekends, won't/can't do evenings. I feel like as we're paying her a decent amount of money to look after our dog, I should expect a degree of flexibility - is this reasonable?

What’s her reason for not doing evenings or weekends? She might have other commitments that make it difficult.

I'm a dog-sitter and I'd say 99% of my meet and greets are in the evening or at the weekend.

Yes, it's a pain in the arse having to give your time up for free but it's also part of the job and a meet and greet is just as much for her benefit as it is yours.

Personally I would be reluctant to use someone who wasn't willing to be flexible.

She doesn't give any. She's retired, just does the dog boarding. I guess she could be busy with other dogs but surely she has to walk them? I feel like she's set in her ways with the time she walks the dogs and there's no flexibility.

Well then I think you need to be specific and say you can’t meet during the working day due to your job and ask if there is a specific reason she cannot do an evening or weekend.

Is she registered and licensed to provide dog boarding in her home?

Yes, she's registered etc.

She knows I work but thinks because I WFH I can meet her anytime. Obviously I walk the dog in my lunch hour but to drive to her house first, dog walk then back home would take too long when I usually just walk him locally. I feel like it's all on her terms.

PS I've already met her and took the dog to the house etc. This is for extra familiarisation.

I would look for someone else tbh.

Depends how much you want to use her.

Surely for one day, you could give dog a good walk before/after work or both and he can just have a quick 5min wee walk/sniff at lunch when you get back home? If you wfh presumably he can potter around in the garden during the day too so it's not exactly depriving him as a one off?

Sorry just seen that you are walking him with her. In that case you'd have to say sorry we can only do a 10/20 min walk as I have to be back by X

Can she not drive to you and meet you for the lunch time walk. YANBU for expecting a little bit of flexibility

I really think you are over thinking this with all the ‘all on her terms’ stuff. It sounds like she is making assumptions and you are being vague in your requests to meet. Just be direct, tell her the specific hours you are available and ask if there is a reason she cannot make any of those.

If you have another dog boarder who will take the dog then use them; otherwise just go in your lunch break for a shorter walk. People are weird and she should be more flexible but ultimately dog sitters are pretty difficult to find (at least around here) so I’d just fall in line on this one

It sounds like she has been pretty clear on her terms. Either use her or don't, up to you. She doesn't have to work evenings and weekends if she doesn't want to.

Too late for me to sort someone else out now really.

Well then you'll just have to go in your lunch hour 🤷‍♀️