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Difficult Owner AND dog?

Hi everyone! I am looking to get some opinions on a situation I have been in for about a year now. While I've been lucky to sit for this dog this long, it comes with it's struggles.

Regarding the owner, he simply doesn't understand what it means to be considerate of other people's schedules. He is a nice person, but he always asks me day-of if I can check on his dog. While I understand that some people have busy schedules and may need someone to come over that day, it's every time with this owner. I have told him subtly and not-so-subtly that I need to know if he would like me to do a drop in for his dog AT LEAST the day before. This is due to my work schedule, and other Rover clients who I may be tending to! Sometimes I feel silly getting frustrated over this, but now I am to the point where I either decline because I am busy, or I just accept it and "allow" him to continue to ask me day-of. The problem is that I feel bad when I decline his request, but I am sometimes frustrated when I hurriedly agree and am overwhelmed with trying to squeeze him in! This guy just does not understand that I need advance notice, no matter how many times I tell him. He continues to ask me the day that he needs me, and if I kept saying "no" until he does the right thing, I may never see his dog again!

Now regarding the dog, he is simply aging quickly. He is a 10-11 year old Newfoundland, and his condition has rapidly declined over the year that I have watched/walked him. It is to the point where I sometimes do not feel comfortable visiting and caring for him, because I am not a vet. I feel as though this dog needs to (sadly) be put down, or needs to be in the daily care of an animal caregiver or vet. As time goes on, my moral obligations will be pulling me in each direction. If I do not care for him, I worry that no one will and the owner will not hire someone new. If I continue to do so, I will be going against how I feel regarding the care the dog deserves.

I know this is a long ask, but I am not sure what to do regarding the owner or the dog! I really do love this dog, he is one of the sweetest and easy going dogs I have ever met. It isn't that I don't like him or that he's a bad dog- it's that I worry for him medically.

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Leighann H.

Book a Stay
Austin, TX

That's such a tough situation! I would feel frustrated with consistently short notice, too. And I'm currently facing that emotional struggle of believing one thing to be best for a client's dog, and the client not agreeing.

To the client's credit, he is consistently seeking care for his aging dog even though it's often last minute. When you decline, is he able to find someone else? If it were me and I was willing to take the last minute requests, I would charge extra for it. Last minute stuff feels like a huge disruption to my schedule and is more work so I would want to be compensated for that.

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Jessica M.

It sounds like you are already doing the best that you can do. Since it's obvious that the owner will never change, and since you are concerned about the dog, I recommend you continue saying no when you cannot accommodate him, and accept his request if you know that you can. Try to shush your heart, and be realistic about your time, so you can take care of yourself and other clients, as well.

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Shannon L.

Hi, Hailey - That's a tough situation to be in, but I think you are handling the owner right. I wouldn't want to be a total doormat, but I wouldn't want to lose the client, either. It appears he isn't going to change, so do what feels right to you.

Many times owners have a lot of trouble letting go of a pet, even when it's past time. But I would continue to care for the dog if I was in a similar position. It's the owner's decision and talking to him about it probably won't get you very far. Do everything you can to give love and comfort to the dog, and know that you are doing the best that you can.

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Sarah B.

Can you be honest with this owner?

'I feel that I must have an honest discussion with you about my caring for your dog. The extent that he's rapidly declined sometimes makes me feel deeply uncomfortable because I feel like a vet or a very qualified animal caregiver should be visiting him, instead of me, to give the medical care he needs. He is an extremely sweet dog and I care about him deeply which is why I'm writing this.

Additionally, the constant last minute requests are extremely stressful for me as I have mentioned and are not compatible with my schedule. I can no longer keep this up & wish you the best in finding someone qualified to care for your dog at this point in time, as I can't for the above reasons. Please understand that this is coming from a place of concern and care for your sweet dog & for my own sense of well-being.'

In the future I would recommend nipping difficult clients in the bud & simply telling them that this doesn't work with your schedule & they need to find another sitter. They don't change and it leads to more and more stressful situations.

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