raise for new puppy?

[Anonymous]

We have a wonderful nanny and one toddler. We recently got a new puppy that now stays with the nanny during the day. The puppy is very good -- sleeps a lot, mellow with DC -- but is still a puppy and is still being housetrained, etc. It's also now a responsibility during the day.

Our nanny asked about getting a dog and was 110% on board for doing so, but my question is whether it is conventional to give her a raise for the extra work. If so, how much? She is well paid and I was hoping to do a good yearly raise which this might cut into. Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Well, a puppy is real work and if she's taking that on (housebreaking, walks, etc...) then I think it merits some acknowledgement. If you were planning to do a raise at year end could you do half of it now and half of it then and tell her why you're doing that?

I don't know if it's a conventional thing or not but it's definitely more work for her so it's nice for you to take that seriously. (I'm an MB and dog owner.)

[Anonymous]

I don't think a raise is necessary, but what about a gift? mani/pedi, bottle of wine, gift certificate for a restaurant she wants to try?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think a raise is necessary, but what about a gift? mani/pedi, bottle of wine, gift certificate for a restaurant she wants to try?

Agree with this. Give her a good raise when the time comes and keep it in mind as her going above and beyond for your family when she needs your understanding/flexibility.

[Anonymous]

I think a bonus is more appropriate than a raise or a gift. The puppy won't be a puppy forever, but while it is young it is a lot of extra responsibility - along with all of the details of its care, the nanny has to keep track of how long they've been out to be sure they aren't away from the puppy too long. I think monetary compensation for this extra work is appropriate, but because it is short-term work I think a one-time puppy bonus would cover all your bases.

[Anonymous]

^^^+1 I think that sounds like something I would be glad for if I was your nanny.

[Anonymous]

I have trained our dogs and it is damn hard! You give her money not a stupid gift ceryificate. Your nanny is a doormat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have trained our dogs and it is damn hard! You give her money not a stupid gift ceryificate. Your nanny is a doormat.

OP here. Stop trolling and at least read my post before you reply with nonsense. Our nanny is not a doormat. I asked her about the dog before we got it and she has welcomed him into our family, the same way she would a new baby or another change in the family dynamic. And I am trying to fairly compensate her for the extra work. So I am asking for suggestions. The gift certificate was mentioned by other posters; I actually asked in my post about money as you mention.

Also, although it's not at all the point of the discussion, the nanny is not the only one training the dog or even the primary one -- my husband and I obedience train it 3 times a day in addition to getting up at night to take him out frequently. While she does participate in housebreaking, she mostly keeps the puppy in its crate so DC can play freely.

[Anonymous]

I think you are very thoughtful to give her a raise, and I do think it's appropriate.

I had to quit my first nanny position because the family got a dog without asking or even telling me. I just showed up and he was there. Not trained at all and couldn't be left outside alone. No crate and he would just jump all over everyone. The kids didn't help and I couldn't take it any longer!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a bonus is more appropriate than a raise or a gift. The puppy won't be a puppy forever, but while it is young it is a lot of extra responsibility - along with all of the details of its care, the nanny has to keep track of how long they've been out to be sure they aren't away from the puppy too long. I think monetary compensation for this extra work is appropriate, but because it is short-term work I think a one-time puppy bonus would cover all your bases.

Yes. I completely agree. My employers got a puppy and it added a lot of work to my day for the first few months. I didn't get a bonus of any sort and I think I deserved one. I would give a weekly bonus until the puppy is out of the house training stage at the very least.

[Anonymous]

I think a bonus is more appropriate than a raise or a gift. The puppy won't be a puppy forever, but while it is young it is a lot of extra responsibility - along with all of the details of its care, the nanny has to keep track of how long they've been out to be sure they aren't away from the puppy too long. I think monetary compensation for this extra work is appropriate, but because it is short-term work I think a one-time puppy bonus would cover all your bases.

This is a great idea.

[Anonymous]

I think a bonus is appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think a raise is necessary, but what about a gift? mani/pedi, bottle of wine, gift certificate for a restaurant she wants to try?

I am a nanny. At risk of sounding "entitled", there's no way a mani/pedi would account for all the extra responsibilities I would be now in charge of regarding the puppy. A puppy pees everywhere, needs multiple walks, chews things, gets into EVERYthing- it really is like an extra kid. I would, if you can afford it, give her a generous bonus (in lieu of a raise since she'll be getting one soon I think you mentioned).

[Anonymous]

When kids start going to preschool and responsibilities dwindle it seems like nannies expect the same rate but when there's even an ounch of extra responsibilities they seem to expect more.. This is what the end of the year bonus is for. I'd throw her a gift card for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When kids start going to preschool and responsibilities dwindle it seems like nannies expect the same rate but when there's even an ounch of extra responsibilities they seem to expect more.. This is what the end of the year bonus is for. I'd throw her a gift card for now.

Editing your posts goes a long way. A puppy is not an "ounch" of responsibility, it is a ton. The nanny is going above and beyond her required duties and a gift card would be an insult. Way to try to troll though...