Sorry need to rant - Owners!!!

slimjim86

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Are there just so so many bad dog owners or do I have a knack of attracting them. Some days I love my job as a dog walker, love spending time with dogs, only having to deal with people on a minimal basis and being outside in the fresh air. On the downside is how peed off I'm getting at the what people think is an acceptable way to look after their dogs. I've got 2 dogs (different owners) who I don't actually believe get walked except when I take them out, ones an old staffie who just loves cuddling up on a sofa so not such a huge issue for him but the other one is a pointer cross who is just bubbling over with excess energy. Then there's the owner with the old lab that I had to insist I was taking to the vet to get better pain meds, I've been saying for ages how damaging the laminate floor is for him, sent her amazon links to cheap, durable yoga mats but instead of seeing anything like that I now find that the only rug that was there ( in front of the sofa he gets on and off all the time) has now been moved into the conservatory for the toddler to play with her toys on. Next on today's walks are 2 unruly 8 month labs that look like they have terrible hips and are still allowed to jump around all over the place, all over everyone and all over the 2 resident terriers.
Sorry for the rant but today it's getting to me and I really feel like packing it all in and serving sandwiches in a cafe 😡
 

AmyMay

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Choose your clients carefully would be my advice, and try not to get too emotionally invested. You can only do what you can do.

I’ve done the job for 8 years and have happily dropped clients where I either don’t ‘enjoy’ the dog, or where I think their health is compromised by their care.

I have learned to be very, very selective.
 

slimjim86

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Choose your clients carefully would be my advice, and try not to get too emotionally invested. You can only do what you can do.

I’ve done the job for 8 years and have happily dropped clients where I either don’t ‘enjoy’ the dog, or where I think their health is compromised by their care.

I have learned to be very, very selective.
You might be right and I need to toughen up but I am overly emotionally invested and worry that they won't get a new dog walker if I drop them and then the dogs will have even less time out ☹️
 

MurphysMinder

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Are there just so so many bad dog owners or do I have a knack of attracting them. Some days I love my job as a dog walker, love spending time with dogs, only having to deal with people on a minimal basis and being outside in the fresh air. On the downside is how peed off I'm getting at the what people think is an acceptable way to look after their dogs. I've got 2 dogs (different owners) who I don't actually believe get walked except when I take them out, ones an old staffie who just loves cuddling up on a sofa so not such a huge issue for him but the other one is a pointer cross who is just bubbling over with excess energy. Then there's the owner with the old lab that I had to insist I was taking to the vet to get better pain meds, I've been saying for ages how damaging the laminate floor is for him, sent her amazon links to cheap, durable yoga mats but instead of seeing anything like that I now find that the only rug that was there ( in front of the sofa he gets on and off all the time) has now been moved into the conservatory for the toddler to play with her toys on. Next on today's walks are 2 unruly 8 month labs that look like they have terrible hips and are still allowed to jump around all over the place, all over everyone and all over the 2 resident terriers.
Sorry for the rant but today it's getting to me and I really feel like packing it all in and serving sandwiches in a cafe 😡

This is why I could never do dog walking or anything else involving other peoples dogs, I would just lose it with idiotic owners.
 

CorvusCorax

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Several people have tried to get me to quit my job and go into training or whatever full time but I just couldn't deal with the people. I know someone who gave up a great career to do doggy daycare and they seem absolutely miserable and tied to the house/other people's dogs 24/7 with no time for their own.
 

Mrs. Jingle

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OP I do wonder, with all respect to you, if dog walking is the career for you? Given your other post is also deeply involved with your client's care and choices for their dogs. I quite understand that as an animal lover it can be distressing when eejit owner's don't care for their dogs as well as you might like to see, but is it possible you are stepping over that professional walker line a tiny bit??

Maybe if you are finding it difficult to deal with seeing care that is not to your own high standard another career such as training as a vet nurse or something might suit better? At least then you are legitimately involved with improving the health and care of other people's pets and I imagine any advice you would give to practice clients would be more welcome than perhaps they are as a dog walker.
 

slimjim86

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OP I do wonder, with all respect to you, if dog walking is the career for you? Given your other post is also deeply involved with your client's care and choices for their dogs. I quite understand that as an animal lover it can be distressing when eejit owner's don't care for their dogs as well as you might like to see, but is it possible you are stepping over that professional walker line a tiny bit??

Maybe if you are finding it difficult to deal with seeing care that is not to your own high standard another career such as training as a vet nurse or something might suit better? At least then you are legitimately involved with improving the health and care of other people's pets and I imagine any advice you would give to practice clients would be more welcome than perhaps they are as a dog walker.
Honestly Mrs J that is exactly what I'm thinking / feeling today 😔
 

slimjim86

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I've been doing the job 7 years now and always loved it but these last few weeks have felt emotional, I think it's the old lab because I can see the lack of decisions effecting him. It might be time to drop that one then everything else won't seem so bad.
 

slimjim86

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I don’t understand this not taking out dogs-I don’t have a choice!

When Jake snapped his first cruciate, we carpeted the kitchen because it was shiny slippy laminate. That was fun (and disgusting). Currently, the tiled lounge is covered in heavy rugs/bits of carpet. It ain’t pretty, but necessary.
I had rug runners in all the hall ways, various rugs in all the downstairs rooms when mine got old and struggled, the place was a mess, nothing matched, dog fur clung to them as did the smell but its what's you do isn't it.
 
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slimjim86

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Maybe look at it the other way- you’re the one good thing in the dogs lives and routine?
That's what I keep thinking and why I keep going, just seeing the only rug had been removed instead of added to today really got to me. I've walked those 2 dogs pretty much since I first set up the business so am attached to them and to see him struggle is heartbreaking. He limps when he first goes out then improves and doesn't look too bad but then if we misjudge it the limp is back before we get home again. It might be that it improves as he loosens up and the stiffness wears off but equally he might be a bit "ouchy" at first from struggling on the floor. It just makes me mad when that bit is fixable, sadly we know he isn't but he's still so happy and eager to go out and clearly enjoys his pootles so needs what help we can give him while he's still with us.
 

SilverLinings

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Unfortunately I think that an awful lot of people really don't deserve dogs (or other pets, or children).

It sounds like you are a good advocate for the dogs you walk, but I can completely understand why it can be depressing and upsetting. I'm not sure that the sort of people who are already consistently bad owners are going to change just because someone gives them some good advice. I think Mrs J's suggestion is a really good one, as you could use your empathy and knowledge of dogs in a constructive way, and have it valued.

Take care of yourself, it sounds as though seeing the dogs suffer is (understandably) grinding you down.
 

Smitty

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I am in Exmouth for a couple of days. I have seen an ancient, amd I mean prob 14-18 years BT being dragged along, a Lab kicked in its face because it tried to nick something it's owner was eating and was joined by an elderly dog on the seafront for at least 20 yards as it didn't like to be on a lead. Not to mention the balls thrown on the beach and a ridiculous amount of the ball chucker things.

And no amount of lame dogs.

I don't think any of these people (apart from the horrid Lab man) would think they were doing anything detrimental to their dog. Ignorance is total and utter bliss.

A friend of mine bred with her Lab, basically for money. I asked if she had any tests done on the bitch, she was very concerned and said no, would it be too late now? Err yes, the pups are 6 weeks old!!
 

slimjim86

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Sorry needed to come back and offload! I was feeling better but then just went to see the old lab ( I only do Mondays and Fridays with him) and he's much worse, turns out he's run out of the painkiller I got when I was dogsitting and owner hasn't managed to get more as person she spoke to needs to check that he can have more. I dog sat 4 weeks ago and he was given 2 weeks of the tablet to try him on, they really helped so now I'm upset and angry that the old boy is not getting his pain meds and is still slipping and sliding on laminate flooring, I was just stroking him today and you could see his back leg slowly slipping away to the side. FFS either throw everything you can at treating him ( within reason) with a deadline or just man up and PTS but don't half arse this fo a bit then font then go back to doing something!!! I really think I need to stop going here but then I worry that he has no one to advocate for him ( although I'm not sure how much I succeed except when she goes on holiday and I get to make decisions and go through with them). If I stop walking him do I keep the piece and say I can't fit it in anymore as I've got a new client who needs 5 days? Or tell her the truth knowing she has some mental health issues and is on and off anti depressants. In happier news the new unruly labs are getting into a nice walking routine and not taking 10 mins to put leads on coz they are busy jumping all over me and each other so at least that's less stressful.
 

SilverLinings

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Sorry needed to come back and offload! I was feeling better but then just went to see the old lab ( I only do Mondays and Fridays with him) and he's much worse, turns out he's run out of the painkiller I got when I was dogsitting and owner hasn't managed to get more as person she spoke to needs to check that he can have more. I dog sat 4 weeks ago and he was given 2 weeks of the tablet to try him on, they really helped so now I'm upset and angry that the old boy is not getting his pain meds and is still slipping and sliding on laminate flooring, I was just stroking him today and you could see his back leg slowly slipping away to the side. FFS either throw everything you can at treating him ( within reason) with a deadline or just man up and PTS but don't half arse this fo a bit then font then go back to doing something!!! I really think I need to stop going here but then I worry that he has no one to advocate for him ( although I'm not sure how much I succeed except when she goes on holiday and I get to make decisions and go through with them). If I stop walking him do I keep the piece and say I can't fit it in anymore as I've got a new client who needs 5 days? Or tell her the truth knowing she has some mental health issues and is on and off anti depressants. In happier news the new unruly labs are getting into a nice walking routine and not taking 10 mins to put leads on coz they are busy jumping all over me and each other so at least that's less stressful.
I'm afraid I don't believe that her mental health issues are a good enough reason for her to consistently provide poor welfare for her dog, especially as a vet has been involved and you have also spoken to her. I think it sounds as though it has got to the point that seeing the dog is making you (understandably) upset, and sadly not achieving any sustainable positive change for the dog.

If you decide to step back then I think you have every right to advocate for the dog one last time and calmly explain to her exactly why you won't help anymore. Explaining that you find it upsetting to see the dog like that when there are things that could be easily changed to help him just may make her finally realise that she is being cruel.

Good luck with whatever you decide, I feel for you having to see the dog like that.
 

MurphysMinder

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I'm afraid I don't believe that her mental health issues are a good enough reason for her to consistently provide poor welfare for her dog, especially as a vet has been involved and you have also spoken to her. I think it sounds as though it has got to the point that seeing the dog is making you (understandably) upset, and sadly not achieving any sustainable positive change for the dog.

If you decide to step back then I think you have every right to advocate for the dog one last time and calmly explain to her exactly why you won't help anymore. Explaining that you find it upsetting to see the dog like that when there are things that could be easily changed to help him just may make her finally realise that she is being cruel.

Good luck with whatever you decide, I feel for you having to see the dog like that.

I agree. I've got rather blunt as I've got older and I would just say that it upsets you to see the dog struggling when there is help available so therefore you will be stopping your visits. Hopefully it will make her do something about him.
 

CorvusCorax

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You can also use the reasoning that if he badly injures himself or has a total breakdown on your watch, you are not going to be held responsible. I have told people to put a lame dog in the car and go home as I would not be training them, or similar with someone with a dog who I know who has HD or ED and has been told to stick to low impact stuff and tracking, coming along to say they want to teach the jumps. Nope, not on my watch, because the moment the dog gets a catastrophic injury, it will be all 'But CC said it was alright'. You have to protect yourself as well.
 

Arzada

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If you decide to step back then I think you have every right to advocate for the dog one last time and calmly explain to her exactly why you won't help anymore. Explaining that you find it upsetting to see the dog like that when there are things that could be easily changed to help him just may make her finally realise that she is being cruel.
This.
 

Goldenstar

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Some people just can’t see dogs like dog people do the empathy for them is not in those people.
I could not do your job .
 
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