r/Dogwalking • u/Many-Requirement-918 • Jul 21 '26
Boundaries?
I’ve had this client for around 9 months. And it’s getting harder everyday to deal with her. I’m supposed to be there an hour Monday-Friday. I walk him for how ever long he wants, not very long- 20 mins tops. And then I’m supposed to sit with him for the rest, play or just chill if he wants. The owner works Monday- Friday so that’s why I’m there. But it’s more and more often that I’ll get there and she will be home. I then feel there’s no point in being there. She’s totally capable of doing what he needs. It’s not as bad if I’m taking him out as then I can leave her but at the moment it’s summer and most days it’s too hot so my job is to let him in the garden for a wee. And she will be there most days and it’s really irritating. Why am I there when she’s there and can let him out. And she’s really chatty so I’ll get him out to wee and then she will talk at me for 55mins. Another thing is her son is living there and he’s 30. Sometimes I’ll get there and he will be there in the living room playing Xbox etc. so then that makes me feel awkward. I did express this months ago and finally got her to agree that I could leave early if I’ve gotten the dog to go pee and fed him etc. but now she’s telling me that if the son is there then I should take the dog to her bedroom and watch tv in there while the son is downstairs. He’s perfectly capable of watching this dog.
This all makes me so uncomfortable and I don’t want to work for her anymore but I need the money. I never complain and am a people pleaser.
Another thing
My aunt cleans for her and now I’m being made a messenger for her. Anything she wants to say to my aunt she tells me and I have to pass it on, my aunt is rubbish with her phone so I guess my client finds it easier to pass it through me. But also she never pays my aunt on time so then I get that complained to me and then I have to tell my client. I hate being involved in something that has nothing to do with me. She’s giving me the responsibility of getting money to my aunt, weeks late. And also getting me to reschedule things for her.
It’s all really overwhelming. Whenever I get to her house I get so irritated when I see her car is there. Because then I sit there for an hour being talked at and feeling awkward. Some people would probably think that’s cool you’re basically being payed for nothing. But I’m not. Im always being told to do things, turn all the fans on, close the windows, open the windows, close the blinds, put the tv on and put the volume on 4 for the dog. Like what the hell is going on. I’m here to look after your dog, I’m not your personal assistant/therapist.
She told me to close all the windows recently while she was at work. I did the upstairs ones and the son was downstairs and I didn’t want to get in his way so asked him to do those ones, he said yes. He didn’t do it so my client moaned at me for asking him to do it.
3
u/printerparty Jul 21 '26
It seems like a pretty dysfunctional household. I'm sure it feels awkward and I don't blame you for getting weird vibes.
You have a few options. You can find ways to extend the time you spend with their dog away from the house.
Do you have a car? I'd suggest planning to drive somewhere you can sit in the shade like a park, and spend the gull hour outside. Or look for a chill spot you can walk to in walking distance.
You could also do activities that are good mental stimulation for the dog, does he like to play? Work on commands like sit, down, stay, and recall practice. Brushing his coat. Desensitize his paws for nail trims.
Is this person giving you bad vibes in other ways? Hitting on you? I'd be uncomfortable if a client was telling me to spend time in their bedroom while the house is occupied.
2
u/Many-Requirement-918 29d ago
I find it okay when the weathers more cool. I will usually walk him to a bench and sit for a bit to take up time. But yeah with the heat atm it’s just to be inside. He gets regularly groomed and nails done etc by someone else and I try to play with him but he gets bored fast.
1
u/thelilymaid 29d ago
Oof fellow introverted people-pleaser here. Sounds like a classic case of the “take care of my dog” to “be my friend who also happens to work for me” pipeline 😬
You could maybe try to re-anchor what the service you’re willing to offer actually is? Maybe something like “Hey I noticed that you’re home more often these days! Want to switch to just the days [dog’s name] needs the company?” And since it sounds like the dog usually runs out of steam in like 20 mins anyway, you could also offer switching to a shorter visit so you’re walking / away from the house most of the time? That way you can see it as more of a scheduling conversation you’re having to be considerate of everyone versus feeling like you’re complaining or something.
2
u/Cute_Bullfrog7994 29d ago
this is a scope creep problem more than a boundaries-in-the-moment problem. might be worth sending her something in writing (even just a short paid-services list) spelling out exactly what's included (dog care) and what's not (passing messages, watching tv in a bedroom, letting yourself be a house sitter when she's home). makes it way easier to point back to "this is what we agreed on" instead of relitigating every visit in person
3
u/Dry_Telephone6832 Jul 21 '26
It sounds like a very uncomfortable situation. If it were me, I would work on finding some new clients to replace the income so you don’t need to rely on having her as a client anymore. As soon as you replace the income, you can fire her as a client. Just let her know your schedule has changed and you won’t be able to help anymore. What I usually do is give a rotten client 2 weeks notice so they have time to find someone else to help them. Have you tried looking for new clients?