gavclojak Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Gosh I am having a dilemma. I had a dog walker/boarder for my two dogs fo several years, unfortunately my little dog was attacked by a rottie then a few months later my dog was lost on a walk (we found him) my dog walker and I parted ways that day, it was her decision, she said she lost confidence walking my dogs but carried on with her business. I text her and said I was sad it had ended like that but I didn't blame her, it could have happened with anyone! I found another walker (that was a trauma in itself) she has been walking my boys for a year, for the last four weeks she has text at the last minute and said she was unable to do it but her 21 year old son could. I really didn't have a choice as I had to work and the dogs needed a pee!! Here comes the dilemma! I bumped into my old dog walker who said she regretted what had happened and she really missed the boys...blah...blah...blah... Given the fact my new walker has been so unreliable recently I am in a quandary!! I think my new walker wants to give her son the job as he hasn't got a job, I would rather she just said rather than coming up with a million excuses but my boys are sensitive little chaps and I don't want another stranger walking them!!! Apart from what happened, my first walker never once let me down, she was reliable and the dogs really liked her...what to do. I only use them once/twice a week maximum and dog walkers in this area are like hens teeth!!!! And so expensive...£15.00 per hour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I have to say, I think from reading your post, your gut feeling is to go back to your first dog walker? I wouldn't be happy with choosing a particular person to walk the dogs then to find at the last minute someone else was going to walk them - that's not fair, it's almost holding you to ransom. I'd go with your gut instinct - if that's to go back to your original dog walker, do it? Wishing you luck with your choice - I wish I was closer or I'd walk them for you when available!!! I dream of jacking in my job and setting up a pet sitting/dog walking service! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 You right bramble my heart says go back. OH isn't happy but as it isn't him who will be looking for a dog walker if she continues to let me down he can't really say too much. The excuses so far are, hospital appointment, fair enough, mum hospital appointment again fair enough, covering for sickeness, inset day, school meetings and rain, she didn't want to get her hair wet for a presentation later that afternoon. I would love to dog walk and if I lost my job that's what I would do. I just totted it up and she walks about 4/5 dogs per walk and does am minimum of 3 walks per day 5 days a week and boards. She charges £15 per hour so by my reckoning that's an average of £225 per day for three hours work...that's £1125 per week...phew I have to say she is good at what she does and good dog walkers are like hens teeth around here. Thank god I only need her 1/2 days per week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I'd say 'better the devil you know' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 All I can say I am in the wrong job ...£3.50 an hour to look after a child and loads of paperwork....I would go with original walker as if the son takes over I am guessing he is probably looking for full time employment and then you will be stuck with no-one.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Yes, go with your gut feeling and go back to your first lady. You can't be doing with messing around between the 2nd walker and her son! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 I'm sorry, she's a dog walker and won't walk in the rain! I would go back to your previous one. Do a trial run if needs be just so you both feel comfortable with it. Hope you manage to work it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 A dog walker who doesn't want to walk in the rain!!!!???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 A dog walker who doesn't want to walk in the rain!!!!???? I know right!!! To be fair, she works in a school in the morning and walks my dogs on the way home from work, when she started walking my boys she was going to try to expand it as a business but it didn't seem to go any further, she is a very sweet woman and I feel a right b***h but unfortunately I have to work and I need someone reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 (edited) YOU are not doing her a favour by letting her walk your dogs... You're paying her. And like you said, you can't let your dogs go without a walk, so having someone reliable is a must. Edited November 11, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 To be honest I would go with your gut feeling, also is her so insured to walk them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted November 11, 2014 Author Share Posted November 11, 2014 To be honest I would go with your gut feeling, also is her so insured to walk them? The first, original walker is insured Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danfinn Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Original walker sounds good to me. Just explain to the new walker what you have to us. Much better to be straight with people, even if they don't like what you are saying IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Why not give the original one a trial run (as it were), just to make sure you are both really happy resuming the arrangement and confident it will be good for you both? You don't need to tell your current walker anything unless and until you are certain you want to swap and then I would say be honest with her as to what the issues are. Wish you lived nearer - I love walking dogs (even in the rain!) and would do it for a lot less cash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 I'm sorry but the first walker stopped being reliable the day she lost your dog Walking dogs is not rocket science and even the trickiest of sensitive dogs loves a good walk regardless of who is at the other end of the lead/ Me personally? I would meet properly with the second walker and her son and say that as the son doesnt have the experience you are happy for him to walk the dogs but at a lesser cost and he must make an effort to interact with the dogs and gain their friendship a bit, if the mother walks the dogs then pay full price If that fails then you have the first to fall back on but remember you left her for a reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
