Dog walker disappeared with my house key!

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shadowboy

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We moved to this house 14 months ago and had to change dog walkers. The first one we used in worcester was amazing! Had a Facebook page, dogs loved her etc. so when we moved to the forest we were super pleased to find another- also with a Facebook page etc. She has a key for our home and used to do 2 days a week when my husband can't work from home. I go back to work next week (had six weeks off) and she's not responding to texts or calls and her Facebook page has disappeared. She also hasn't responded to an email sent 2 weeks ago. She could be on holiday bit her dog grooming business premises have been emptied. Worried now that we have a) got someone uncontactable with a key to our home
And b) no one to let the dogs out - and they've never had to do a full day without a break before.

Should I change all my locks? Is it unfair on the dogs to do 2 x 8 hour days without a break? I have had a ring round and can't find another company as we are so remote.
 
First thing you need to do is change your locks pronto......... just in case, to be safe and for peace of mind.

Yes, sorry but it IS unfair to expect your dogs to have to hold their legs together for 2 X 8hr days; could you do without going to the loo for this length of time?

There may be a way you could manage the situation by having a "doggie-flap" and securing your outside space/garden (if you have any) with secure and robust fencing - electrified if needs be.

Otherwise...... if you can't get dog-walkers to come to YOU, then you may have to take the dogs to them - i.e. chuck Fidos in the car and deliver them to the dog-minder before work and pick them up again afterwards. A friend of mine used to do this with hers, worked well.

But to leave them for 8hrs??? Nope.
 
I haven't changed the locks yet in case I could get hold of her. Will try and organise that for next week!

Sadly a dog flap for a Doberman and 50kg malamute would be big enough for a Human so not really a safe option for the house security. I am pregnant and can't lift the dogs into the car at the moment- the dobe can jump but due to back problems the mal can't and has to be lifted into the car boot. So I can't take him anywhere at the moment :( I've managed to find a teen off the yard to do Tuesday before his school starts back but until I go on mat leave I need someone to do 2 days a week- this would be for about 5 weeks. Arg so stressful!
 
Yes, change your locks. Not only does she have a key...but also knows your routine.

Also, i've seen something on facebook...lovemydoggie.com or something? Pairing owners that need help with locals that want some dog interaction. Might be worth looking into. x
 
Got a piece of wood that can be used as a ramp for the dogs to get in the car (or a plastic block/step?) How friendly are you with the neighbours? I'd change locks ASAP as already mentioned and find someone to let the dogs out a couple of times a day.
 
As a short term solution, do you know anyone with a teenager who could pop in and do a quick walk for a fiver/tenner before they go back to school? Gives you a bit of time to find someone more permanent. I would be getting locks changed, she has clearly vanished and may have money problems if she's vanished so suddenly.
 
Speak to your/her local police - they may be able to contact her, discover her whereabouts through various government agencies etc, as well as advising you. Doesn't need to be heavy but she may be known to them from other complaints etc, might confirm your worst fears or that it is an innocent lack of letting you know she would be away?
 
I looked at some kennels online- and ones big enough for my two retail at £1000 and over so that's a no go! Did think about the ramp but would have to find a dog day care - nearest one is in Gloucester City the wrong way for work- would add on about an hour each way minimum depending on traffic at rush hour into the city could be more- so that's that ruled out. I've found cover for next week so it's only the following 4 weeks - and only two days a week at that- so I think just going to have to be horrible and leave them for 8 hours. They have been left for 6 hours at a time before so it's not completely alien to them. It will only be 8 times spread over 4 weeks, I know you guys won't approve but finances are a little tight at the moment to stretch to kennels!
They go 8 hours without a loo break every night- so I know they can do it even if not ideal. Have shown the teen where everything is this morning who's going to so it next week. So all ready for next week anyway!

Regarding the walker- apparently she ran a dog show about 10 miles from us last weekend so is still about..... Just need to find someone with an address for her!
 
Probably be shot down in flames but I would leave dogs for 8 hours a day, twice a week, without a second thought providing they have no health issues. As you say, they can last overnight, so why not during the day.

Just make sure they've had a good walk first. It wouldn't be fair on them if they'd only been let out for a quick wee before you left them.

And I speak as someone whose whole lifestyle revolves around horse and dog care.
 
An other way round buying Kennels is to buy a small garden shed. Make the door a stable one and make a raised bed at the back.

I use the sheds as they are cheaper than buying commercial ones. I have three with each having a run to go with them.
 
In your position I think I would do the same shadowboy. Not ideal definitely but this is very much short term, and as long as they are adult dogs with no health problems they should be okay. However, it may also be worth asking your vets if they know of any dog walkers who could help you out for this period, they usually keep a register of people who do this.
 
I wouldn't leave the dogs 8hrs, but I wouldn't change the locks either, I assume they had your key for some time whilst walking the dogs? If they wanted to be dishonest they could have easily made a copy and you'd be none the wiser if they gave the original back!
 
Tiddlypom said:
Probably be shot down in flames but I would leave dogs for 8 hours a day, twice a week, without a second thought providing they have no health issues. As you say, they can last overnight, so why not during the day.

Just make sure they've had a good walk first. It wouldn't be fair on them if they'd only been let out for a quick wee before you left them.

And I speak as someone whose whole lifestyle revolves around horse and dog care.
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I agree with this. I do not like leaving dogs on their own but they are older dogs, in a settled pack of two. Leave them with toys, a chew in a room that's its not too bad if they have accident in, its only the same as leaving them in a kennel but secure and warmer. Dogs sleep most of the night and that is longer than eight hours. I used to work nights and apart from a walk in the morning he would sleep all night with my husband, then I would come home and he would sleep all day, so I reckon he only had awake company six hours out of 24. Your dogs will have each other for company.
 
Oh yes- they will definitely get a walk - we usually do 2 miles through open fields in the morning so they can hoon to their hearts content. I will leave them at 8.30am with stag bars and stuffed kongs in a large tiled utility so if there are accidents it will be easy to clean. I finish work at 3pm so should be back by 4.15pm - just shy of 8 hours. It won't be long term and it certainly won't be every day as I only work until 12.30pm on a Wednesday and my husband works from home Thursdays and Fridays!

Good idea about asking the vets though!! I'll ring them when they open on Tuesday! Good plan :)
 
You finish work at 3 so I think they'll be okay for that length of time for the sake of two days a week. Dogs can get used to this routine. You can get ramps for the car but if you're pregnant it probably won't be that easy to unfold them as you get nearer to the 40th week of pregancy.
 
shadowboy said:
IRegarding the walker- apparently she ran a dog show about 10 miles from us last weekend so is still about..... Just need to find someone with an address for her!
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There are loads of people who do dog walking in the Forest of Dean - look on local Facebook pages if you are on FB? If you aren't, drop me a PM with your location and I can find you some :) I'm in Newent, so see lots of adverts on Newent Noticeboard
 
My dog is left 8 hours when I am at work, walk in the morning before work, walk after work never been a problem. She has the run of the house. They get use to it and she is a scottie so would never walk with anyone else.
 
Would it be an option to build a kennel we refused to pay the extortionate amount they were asking for one that would fit ours in we built our own for total of £80 and took my husband two days to build and he fit that in round work. The only issue we have had is that they keep play fighting in it so have broke one piece of wood at the back which we will need to fix
 
I agree with those that have said leave them. I wouldn't worry about a dog walker at all if they seem OK with the new arrangement, specially if you're going to be off work anyway soon.

One dog left by itself for 8 hours is a definite no-no, but they have each other for company and your utility room sounds ideal for them. Obviously if one of them was off-colour, you'd have to think again, but we wouldn't leave a poorly dog anyway.

Otherwise, is a nice warm shed and run out of the question? A fraction of the cost of a purpose built kennel for each dog and they could both use the same one.

Can I just say, when this thread appears as unread in the main list, I read "Dog Walker Disappeared With My House".
 
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