I've got to sack my dog walker haven't I

[IBetGordonRamsayDoesntHaveTheseProblems]

Having spent ages explaining ddog's triggers, including cats and certain vehicles, I've just caught him on the Ring doorbell with the dog off lead on the driveway.

We live on the corner of a 6 lane A road and a residential road. It's a fucking miracle that ddog didn't spot a trigger, run after it, and get run over in the process. It's a complete lack of judgement.

But I hate confrontation and now I have to write an email sacking him, and I have to avoid him in the park from now until forever as I often see him out walking his own dogs.

FML.

Could you reiterate that you don’t want doggo off the lead?

Yes you do! What a lucky escape you’ve had!

Maybe just tell them again. Nothing bad happened did it and I'm assuming that he hasn't deliberately taken DDOG off lead in order to get run over. Just tell him what you saw and say to keep her on a lead.

Did you sign anything when you started with the dog walker relating to off-lead? Whenever my dog has been looked after or walked I have to expressly say whether he is allowed off-lead or not (he isn’t) so if the dog walker has breached that I’d take it pretty seriously. It’s unfortunate, but no need to be harsh, just offer the feedback and terminate their services with you.

I did say he could go off lead once the dog had got used to him and was recalling (he's not a dog that's friends with absolutely anyone, it takes time). Surely common sense would dictate that's in the park though away from triggers and not on the road around triggers you've been told about in detail (I wrote 750 words on behaviour on the forms FFS, and that was the short version)

It's bloody awful when the trust has gone isn't it? We used a kennel. Fab reputation as does hydrotherapy and other treatments.. They took it upon themselves to have our husky off lead as apparently because they owned the field it was OK. 4 foot fence with a dual carriageway on the other side...

Why can't you just speak with them and say you were upset to see your dog off lead and see what they have to say before you decide to sack them?

I wouldn't trust him with a pot plant. Find another walker.

Oh no. Was your dog ok?

750 words?!! Is it possible you're a little bit paranoid? I'm quite sure an experienced dog walker knows what they're doing.

But you said you were ok with off lead. I'm not sure sacking him is strictly fair. Why not tell him what you saw and your concerns and see how he reacts. If you are uncomfortable you can sack him then.

I found out my first dog walker wasn't even walking my dog. I was paying her £200 a month for the privilege of her not taking my dog out. We had suspicions, which were confirmed when I spoke to someone who said she had a reputation for it. With hindsight I should have questioned why she was driving a £60,000 Mercedes! She was raking it in. Taking on all these dogs and then not bothering to walk them. All the while pretending she was a caring animal lover. Still makes me mad 4 years later..

Having seen your update OP I agree with this

Was she not even taking the dog out of the house, or taking them and just sitting in the car?

In all fairness then he didn't actually do anything wrong you said dog could be off lead if it recalled to him plus it happened on your driveway. Feel sorry for him if you sent a moaning letter then because you said one thing but now saying another

But there's an enormous difference in being off lead in a park and next to a busy road! My dog has amazing recall but there's no way in a million years she would be off the lead next to a busy road.

This

But that's your choice, if you've said about recall and the dog is doing exactly that then I would expect a professional to be absaloutely sure about it before letting the lead off anywhere he feels comfortable with it. And not sure why your so insistent there's no triggers in parks, cats,rabbits,other dogs,humans,rats,birds etc etc

It seems possible you maybe overwhelmed the walker with information.
I would stick to a much simpler set of instructions.
Like, on leash at all times.
Or on leash at all times apart from park.

Totally appreciate this is your baby but once you hand over responsibility to someonelse you have to trust things will be ok. Not everyone will do things the exact same as yourself or walk the dog yourself then you won't have problems

Clearly not. The OP is the client. She is paying. He does what she asked him to do..end of.. he only had 1 job and he couldn't do that properly. I would be annoyed and he'd be gone.

I have a relative who is a dog walker. She would NEVER have a dog off the lead around roads or residential areas or anywhere unsafe for the dog. The dogs are only taken off the lead at a safe walking area and if the dog has great recall and isn't going to run away. Completely irresponsible of this dog walker.

He sounds crap, so yes, sack him.

Just read that you wrote 750 words. Jesus, that's too much for anyone to remember.

This wouldn't be a sacking offence in my book, I might mention it to them and just say you were concerned but if you otherwise are happy with the dog walker I'd let it go.