what would you pay?

So we now have a lovely 8 week old 3/4 Patterdale 1/4 JRT I just love terriers! They are both getting on absolutely brilliantly and Milo is the perfect big brother and has turned into quite a show off lol! So my neighbours' son is 15 and home ed. before I opted for the puppy I asked him if he would help with letting them out etc he said yes. My question is he will be coming in 2 or 3 times a week depending on my shift pattern around midday/1pm. He will be coming into the kitchen and letting them into the garden having a play and feeding the pup lunch. Pup is in a crate right next to Milo atm only for night and when we are out and is already paper trained when in the crate or loose   What would you pay the neighbour guys as he's not doing that much but but I also don't want to insult him! Also he really wants to walk Milo but my worry is not with the boy or Milo but other dogs :/ But I live really close to a green so that might be a good compromise as he has more room to run and play, Milo is also obedient, I am taking the boy and dog out tomorrow for a practice run to see how good he is for him, the boy has a good nature and is good with Milo on our home turf, in fact quite calming, you know how staffs can be with over excitement when greeting people who walk in the door!! thanks

Personally I always found it really hard to let anyone be alone with my dog other than trusted family or friends but as long as you're happy with that it's fine. He's only 15 any income would make him happy I guess and if he loves dog's he'd probably enjoy it just as much even without getting paid?

Just ask him straight or speak to his parents. If he only wants very little money and he does a great job after a while you could always buy him a little something to say thanks

Hi Johnny thanks, yes, approached his mum and she was as awkward as me lol!! And you're right I think he may be happy to do it for free but I'd feel so cheeky and it just wouldn't feel right. A once in a while favour would be ok for free but not up to 3 times a week. I know exactly what you mean re trusted people it's really only my parents who have helped me in the past. The thing is my husband and I separated and I am now obv. on my own (which is why I need help, not just because we have a puppy). I have looked into dog walkers who yes sound wonderful but are pricey if they need to come in up 2 or 3 times a week and I trust my neighbour more as we've lived side by side for over 12 years now and a dog walker whilst professional, is still a stranger in my home    

Would echo JB's comment about being cautious leaving my dog with persons unless completely tried and trusted. Saying that, though they get a bad press (like staffies!) some 15 y.o. boys can be perfectly responsible. It all depends. I would want to know what dog experience he's got and what his attitude is to animals. I dont want to be controversial, but some kids have to learn kindness - they're not naturally born with it.

On payment, perhaps a thing to consider is how permanent you want the arrangement to be. How much you really need this kind of help in the day when you're not able to look after the dogs yourself. I would judge that you may need such an arrangement quite a lot. Obviously, with a pup, he has an extra lot of social needs and it doesnt help his development to be cooped up. On balance, I would consider paying the minimum wage to the boy (via and including discussion with the parents), feeling that this may help concentrate his mind and for him to consider it as a 'proper' job. Making a business arrangement of it may help lock him in to the task and to enhance his reliability.

I would say around 10pounds aweek. Maybe you think thats to much. I dont know the laws in the uk but here in ireland you have to be over 16 to walk with a staffy or any other breeds covered by the dangerous dogs act.

Thanks again guys. Hmmm well really the walking bit isn't essential I feel as he is very well excercised on the other days and I can do a post work walk. There are days here and there he stays home without a walk now and it doesn't affect him. I don't want the boy to walk the puppy at all (plus she's only had her first jab anyway) so separating them is is another reason for the boy not to walk atm. He doesn't have his own dog but is desperate for one. He's a very calm and quiet boy who interacts well but firmly with Milo and I have known his family for over 12 years. In respect of his treatment I have no concerns there otherwise I wouldn't be opting for it as a solution. It's quite a permanent position due to the age of the puppy really, but in the distant future I do not believe it would be harmful for them to be left for 10 hours up to twice a week (I am back after lunch on the 3rd day and off the rest) just to add the crate is not a permanent thing either so don't jump the gun and think I am going to be crating this puppy for 10 hours a day as she grows

forgot to say I never knew that Harry! Off to google minimum wage lol!

Year 21 and over 18 to 20 Under 18 Apprentice*
£6.31 £5.03 £3.72 £2.68

omfg is all I can say! :O

3 days a week? i dont know £5 to £10 ? maybe keep your valuable locked up save just encase

You could always ask how much he wants and compromise from there. I'd install a camera just to be sure and see how he does on walks to be comfortable

There is no age limit to walk a dog in the uk, not that I'm suggesting letting a toddler walk a pooch but at 15 I'm sure he's quite responsible! I'd pick somewhere extra safe to walk though best to be safe, and about a tenner is ok xx

I agree £10 a week is plenty  

JStaff wrote:I'd install a camera just to be sure and see how he does on walks to be comfortable

If tempted to do this, there are rules about filming people, especially if done covertly. I'm no expert, but I believe (and it seems reasonable) that you have to tell people if you might be filming them.

Could be problematic.

I'm feeding 3 cats next week for a friend - and administering various vet-prescribed medicaments on a daily basis. I would be surprised (and somewhat insulted) if the friends felt they needed to record my visit on video. On the other hand, dogs cant speak (unfortunately -  or is that fortunately?)  and I think JStaff's right to raise the issue of how to get evidence that everything is going ok.  Just maybe not by covertly filming a teenager.

Personally I think I would rather go through a professional dog walker, please remember that while this lad is walking your dogs he is responsible for them and their actions, please bear this in mind should anything happen to another dog, do you have 3rd party insurance on your policy.

I think all you can do is take him on the walks your doing for a few weeks so he is well used to it and give him ago.

i'm not sure if there an rules i wonder if jules knows the law about have spy cam around ?

For the dogs welfare in the house monitoring for separation anxiety etc can't see an issue with cams in your own house. If the lad is only 15 though I would certainly not be 'spying' (too much of a grey area) be upfront and say they are there for the dogs and make his parents aware But then I wouldn't be having him in the house if I didn't trust him

As a guideline my CRB checked dog walker charges £10 an hour

When we recently went out all day for a family day out, my Dad came in midday to let Alfie out and play etc. I had the video set up for my peace of mind that he was really ok left most of the day. Obviously I had no trust issues with my Dad coming in, I did tell him out of courtesy (and so there was no misunderstanding that I was checking up on him!). He came in and waved at the camera . It wouldn't hurt anyway to truly see if both dogs are happy in the day all alone. Just do explain to boy and his parents first!
£10pwk sounds good to me if boy and parents happy.

Thanks for rinterpretwever I think some of you have gone a bit ott secretly filming, filming walks... er how?! Hide valuables etc. (I'd be more concerned about my knicker drawer with a 15 year old lad lol!!) I quite clearly stated I knew the boy or his family and that we have been neighbours for over 12 years and that I have no issues with trusting him and his behaviour with Milo, he's great with him. I live in a nice neighbourhood and the boy is not some random chav I have chosen to care for my extended family. If you seriously think I would agree with your suggestions of filming him etc then I would politely say to you that I think I have chosen the wrong person. The whole point of choosing him is not a cheap option but a trusted one!!! Incidentally I have contacted 2 dog walkers but I have issues with letting them have keys and access to my home, they are strangers to me end of. Don't miss interpret this as a rant I just felt I should make my self clear here

sorry i dont trust anybody i wouldn't allow anybody in my house without me being there. you see these horror story about people getting robbed, i was watching something the other day where an family friend had an key every month or 2 there went in and robbed money.  sorry if you trust them go for it

Hey Steve don't worry I am actually really like you and although I have nothing to hide and nothing of huge value I do not like the thought of someone being in my home when i am not there. But ATM I have no choice really, my husband and I split and as my circumstances changed Milo developed separation anxiety as he was being left those 2 days and he didn't like it. My husband worked permanent nights so even though he was upstairs in bed until 3pm he was at least in the house and Milo knew this. I've been wanting a second dog for a looong time and we always had a pair prior to Milo coming along but hubby said NO! Lol!

go for it just dont leave money or anything like that around so it remove the temptation away

Ardvark, I agree with the comment above to let the boy accompany you on a few walks to give him the experience of the small things / commands that you take for granted and don't pass on in vocal instructions and at the same time you can assess his suitability.

I agree that you know this boy rather than a strange dog walker (recent care home issues highlight that you can't trust professionals either).

You obviously trust him and I think the Camera idea is unfair and dubious.

I would speak to his Mother again, she was obviously awkward because nobody wants to embarrass anybody by under\over pricing. You have to get over this somehow. Tell her that you will not be insulted and will negotiate with her if you feel her suggestion is too high (a chuckle will help here to keep the situation light hearted).

I think her awkwardness shows a good and considerate character that hopefully has passed to the boy.

Has the boy got an interest (playing musical instrument, sport etc.) that maybe you could help with (music books etc.) rather than cash reward? Just a thought.

Hi Tony, I have been having him round to my house this last week and getting everyone comfortable in readiness for starting next week. He is coming out on a walk with me tomorrow again too. My woody is not for his suitability or handling of Milo on walks its other dogs. Milo is very we'll socialised and has great manners (although he likes some rough and tumble sometimes) but I can't help but worry about other dogs suitability to mix!! I have had my other staff bitten by a husky resulting in a visit to the vets and 2 dogs who have had a go at Milo, he ran to me the scardy cat!

My *worry sorry

I guess I am a typical overprotective worrybtok much mum! Lol!

Concerning the video, I have used it lots of times when no one was coming to the house. When we first got Alfie it was really useful to find out if he was unhappy, howling, barking or anything else while we were out. Thought it may be useful for you to see how your new one was when left and also how Milo reacted to it.
Its great you have someone you can trust, hope it all goes well.

No one but no one will ever walk my dogs other than myself of my ex wife who knows what to expect.
Aside from all that I strongly suggest you read up on the dda and the 1875 dogs act to understand where your responsibilities lie. You may be a bit suprised on what you are liable for. As an example, if the dog is off lead and barks at someone which causes them fear the dog is deemed dangerously out of control under the dda and could be liable to be seized, pts and you fined. Shitty aint it... also even if it playfully knocks over a toddler by accident its the same thing... imo not worth the risk without professional accreditation.

I agree with Nathan above ^^^^ this needs serious consideration.