I am curious what other nannies have done if there is a new puppy in the home. I have been a nanny for this family for about 2.5 years and things are great. I am highly educated and considerate, as are they. I truly love my job. That said, I was recently informed that there would be a puppy coming into the home. While I have no issues with helping out, I don't want it to become a situation where I will have to take care of the new puppy plus the two kids. While the dad says that he will be staying home often (working in his upstairs office) with the puppy, I can see this becoming problematic. Has anyone ever dealt with this before?
OP for now I wouldn't worry about it if the father said he would care for it in his office.
ReplyDeleteI think you are assuming it will be your responsibility, but for now it seems this "considerate" family is being just that by stating they will be caring for the puppy.
I wouldn't worry about it...it probably will be a non-issue.
I don't think it would be an issue. There are dogs at my work, I don't have much to do with them. I'd love to have them interact with the kids more but the housekeeper gets annoyed and locks them outside. I do make sure I don't feed them, clean up after them, bath them, nothing. I don't want to add dog duties to my list of duties. Might be mean, but I'm not a dog person. I'm happy to have them around but I don't like cleaning up after them.
ReplyDeleteI've seen this be a nightmare. piddling puppy with toddlers sliding through it is CRAZY irritating. Admire the puppy but definitely take a backseat on it's care initially so you don't get saddled with the whole thing. I love dogs, but as a nanny I don't want to have my hand in training or caring for one.
ReplyDeletePuppy sitters minimally get $12.50 a day. Don't take on new responsibilities without additional pay.
ReplyDeleteI think the success or failure of this idea will depend on the ages of the children, and the diligence of the DB.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, many families obtain a puppy "for the kids", thinking it will complete their family, only to end up giving the puppy to a shelter or other later, when they realize puppies are just as much (or more!) work as small children!
If the kids are older, it could be a positive learning experience for them. If the kids are small, be alert for job creep and a crabby DB when he figures out how much work puppy training requires.
I worked with a family for a while and I came back after christmas to find a new puppy! No one told me! It turned out ok. A routine was quickly put in place and their then 6 year old took much of the responsibility. He took the dog out every 90 mins during the day and with some direction from me. alternately played and crated the puppy.
ReplyDeleteMake your expectations clear and I hope theres an older child to work with the puppy.
At least you were told. I have been out of the field for a while, but I had a job where the mom and girls came home one evening with a dog. mind you, parents were flight attendants so guess who got stuck with dog duty.
ReplyDeleteI don't do puppies. I'm not a nanny but if I was they would need to find a pet sitter. Puppies shit, piss and chew up things.
ReplyDeleteKittens...now that is the way to go
I could have written this post myself! The family I work for just got a puppy and yes, it is a lot of work. I'm a dog lover so I don't mind. I told them I was on board with it before they go the puppy. I have to feed him and take him out several times a day, play with him, clean up any accidents. I even put his doggy ear drops in in the mornings! It's only been a few weeks and I'm already attached. He's a sweetie. Hope you like dogs OP!
ReplyDeleteYou seem to be more worried about the dog than the sudden issue of Dad suddenly working from home. That's where the real problems will happen, trust me. The dog will be the least of your worries.
ReplyDeleteI got the impression that the dad already works from home occasionally and that the OP doesn't mind. If dad working from home isn't going to be a problem, don't try to create one for her.
ReplyDeleteIt is my opinion that a family with small children should NEVER get a puppy. Puppies are a lot of work, they are rambunctious and sometimes unpredictable. I think it would be a better idea for the family to get an older dog who likes being around small children.
But you didn't ask for my opinion on the matter, you asked if I had any experience with this, and I don't. All my families I've worked with either didn't have pets or they already had their dogs when their kids were born. So I'm afraid I can't help you other than telling you that I think they might be making a mistake unless the parents are VERY good at training this puppy and are going to watch him like a hawk when he's around the kids.