Pet walker awkward situation

[Anonymous]

Up until the last month I had one dog and my pet walker came in 4 days a week, no issues. But my DD came home from school and did not begin her job for a month so she took care of the dog and I informed the pet walker. In the meantime we got a second dog, a 6 month old puppy, and all was well with my daughter at home and the training is going well, but today my daughter started work, and I decided to see how the dogs would do for a full day before I reengaged the walker since that would be double the money. When I got home I found the walker had been there and left me a note. Now I am not sure how to handle this issue since she is also a neighbor and I like her alot, but wanted to reassess the situation. I do not recall ever having the discussion on when she would resume.

[Anonymous]

How exactly did you phrase it initially? Did you say "DD is home and will be walking the dogs until she starts work on x day, so we wont need your services for a while"? Or did you say "We won't need your services for a while, we'll let you know when we need them again"?

Or did DD have a convo with the neighbor?

[Anonymous]

Are you sure your daughter didn't ask her to walk the dogs?

[Anonymous]

How did the walker know to come today? Someone must have told her, if not you then your daughter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How did the walker know to come today? Someone must have told her, if not you then your daughter.

+1

But I would also be tempted to change the locks. How did she have access to your house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did the walker know to come today? Someone must have told her, if not you then your daughter.

+1

But I would also be tempted to change the locks. How did she have access to your house?

My dog walker and babysitter both have the garage code ( not OP) so if she thought she was starting back to day then thats what she did. I would not take a key away or change the code if I trusted the person and didnt need them for a few weeks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Up until the last month I had one dog and my pet walker came in 4 days a week, no issues. But my DD came home from school and did not begin her job for a month so she took care of the dog and I informed the pet walker. In the meantime we got a second dog, a 6 month old puppy, and all was well with my daughter at home and the training is going well, but today my daughter started work, and I decided to see how the dogs would do for a full day before I reengaged the walker since that would be double the money. When I got home I found the walker had been there and left me a note. Now I am not sure how to handle this issue since she is also a neighbor and I like her alot, but wanted to reassess the situation. I do not recall ever having the discussion on when she would resume.

She got the idea from somewhere, unless she clairvoyantly knew that today was the day your daughter started. Since she's a neighbor I'd go over there with a week's payment (today plus a little extra), apologize for not being clear, and tell her that you wanted to see how it goes and you'll call her if you need her.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the dog called her. The secret life of pets...

[Anonymous]

She did know when my DD was starting work, and my DD would never engage her services, she is very careful what she discusses with my neighbors (lots of experience with fielding neighbors' questions) But the walker has always been very careful to call and verify days/times with me and we communicate daily either in writing or by phone, especially regarding extra services and cost, so this is an anomaly to me.

[Anonymous]

Wait, you were going to leave a 6 month old dog all day without a walk? You should be glad she came lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, you were going to leave a 6 month old dog all day without a walk? You should be glad she came lol

+1

"See how it goes"? With two dogs, all day without a walk, one is six months old?

Hope is not a plan.

SMH

[Anonymous]

I guess no one has actual advice for the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess no one has actual advice for the issue.

I gave advice, which of course you can ignore or take, as you see fit:

I'd go over there with a week's payment (today plus a little extra), apologize for not being clear, and tell her that you wanted to see how it goes and you'll call her if you need her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess no one has actual advice for the issue.

Maybe because no one sees it as an issue. Grow up and let her know she doesn’t need to walk the dogs right now. It’s not that difficult. Dog walkers don’t give a damn when people cancel. We just fill the slot with another client.

[Anonymous]

So your older dog is used to being walked during the day and you have added a six month old puppy (who will, presumably, need to go out during the day)?

And you’ve decided that neither will be going out during the day because it’s too expensive?

Don’t get a dog if you can’t afford to take care of it! JFC, I’m so sick of shitty dog owners who justify treating their dog like crap because of money. It was a choice to get the puppy, you knew what it would cost. Pay the dog walker and thank her for coming back!