Lazy dog walkers

Dear Dog Lady,

Yeesh. Keeping a dog is the fun part. Keeping a dog walker is the not so fun part.

Because I am an attorney and work during the day, I am most dependent on the walking service that I hire to take out my shaggy Sherman. I trust the walkers with the key to my home and with my dog -- my two most precious possessions.

I pay top dollar so Sherman can have a 60-minute break from his time alone spent snoozing in my closet, but I sense that something is not right. When I get home -- only a couple of hours after the walker has supposedly returned Sherman -- the dog is wild to go outside. Then, Sherman wants to stay out forever -- relieving himself repeatedly, romping, and sniffing.

I wish I could ask my dog what goes on when I'm not there. Alas, Sherman can't talk.

-Patrick, Minneapolis, Minn.

Patrick, methinks Sherman uses his own language to communicate to you. He’s not getting your moneys worth.

C’mon, you’re a professional. Deal with the situation in a business-like manner. Call up the service and speak to the owner. Request that the dog walker leave a status report for every outing, with details about the time Sherman is picked up, dropped off, and whether he pooped or peed or both. If such a request is met with indifference, make other arrangements. I'm sure your urban area is served by more than one dog walking service.

Dog Lady maintains that a well-run dog-care business can be big business. Responsible dog keepers such as yourself will, really, pay any price for proper care of pets. But some lazy walkers take advantage of the fact that dogs can’t talk. So speak up -- for your animal and for your own peace of mind.

Posted by Dog Lady at March 10, 2003 12:00 PM