Home Pets and housecleaners

[NovemberBride]

Those of you with pets and housecleaners who come when you are not home - what do you do with the dogs? So far I've been trying to be home when our housecleaners come, but I work f/t and it's not really feasible long-term. Our pup was a rescue and although he has adjusted wonderfully, he is still very fearful of strangers. We no longer crate him during the day, but I guess I could crate him the day they come, although I know he would cry in the crate the whole time they were in the house. I am not sure if there is a good solution to this issue, but with a baby, a shedding dog and both DH and I working full-time, I desperately need the housecleaners to come on a regular basis. Any suggestions?

 

[zoebartlett]

Would the house cleaners be able to let the dog out while they're working and then let him back in just before they leave? That might only work if your yard is fenced in or if you have a lead out there for him.

 

[Nashville]

We used to crate our dog during the time the cleaners came. It's hard to upset your pet, but we had to be mindful of the fact that the cleaners are there to do their job and may not want to be in contact with the dog. Some people are wary of dogs.

 

[NewEnglandLady]

We had a housecleaner come out to clean our house when we moved in and I asked her about this in case we wanted to do it more regularly. She said that she can either crate them when she gets there, then let them out when she leaves or that if we didn't want to drag our crates out, then she would just put them in a room (like the living room or family room--both have doors to seal the room), then clean the rest of the house, let them out and clean that room last. The majority of her clients do have pets and she was a pet-lover, so she said it wasn't an issue at all.

 

[Steel]

After you have finished looking for that needle in a haystack; would it be possible to find a housekeeper who is happy to work with the dog loose in the house?

I suppose if you found that you wouldn't be asking the question....

Rather than crating the dog for the day, could you close off one room which the cleaner doesn't enter so that the dog has free run of a room; if you can't be there. It is the same principle but gives your dog room to be. But I suppose it makes one room less clean....

 

[NovemberBride]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately our yard is not fenced (townhouse) and I also wouldn't trust him outside alone, he's part jack russell and can jump high and run very fast. If he gets loose they would have no chance of catching him. I think my best option is to block him off in one room (probably my guest room) and just have them not clean it. I definitely can't leave him loose, it would be stressful for both the cleaners and the dog, he is so anxious around strangers (he's been to obedience school, he's well behaved, he just gets really nervous around people he doesn't know). The vacuum cleaner is the dog's worst enemy, we can only vacuum when he's in another room or he tries to attack the vacuum cleaner. My only concern with having him in another room is that he would still be stressed hearing the cleaners in the house while he was stuck in the room. It's probably still the best option, but I just hate the thought of his little doggie heart being stressed. The only question is if I hate that worse than I hate the idea of continuing to clean the house myself! Knowing me, it's the former and I'll keep cleaning the house myself. Agh....If only I wasn't such a sucker for the little guy.

 

[ChinaCat]

Aww, poor little guy.

We used to crate ours only on the day our house cleaners came, but one day the lady said he was fine out, so we just leave him out. But he isn't afraid of strangers, plus he *knows* them now.

Another suggestion, though it just costs more money- what about either hiring a dog walker to come only on that day and take your dog for the hour or so they are there? If they are there longer than an hour, could you take him to a "doggie day care" type place? We also used to take our dog once a week, so I would just pick that day. My dog loved it, he swam and played with other dogs. Just a thought.

 

[Mara]

Would the house cleaners be able to let the dog out while they're working and then let him back in just before they leave? That might only work if your yard is fenced in or if you have a lead out there for him.

This is what our cleaners do. I am always afraid they will forget to let her back in but so far knock on wood, it's been ok. She is super friendly and easygoing but curious so it's more for them than her...she would love to be underfoot the entire time. I also didn't want her deciding to drink any chemicals or whatever while they were working.

 

[gailrmv]

I have two mutts who can be terrible about new people.

I chose my house cleaners specifically because they are good with dogs and are OK with my dogs being loose. I try to be home when they arrive so I can ease the dogs' initial anxiety, and then I leave. So far so good.

They charge a bit above average, but I pay it happily and I tip well too. I am not letting these dog friendly cleaners get away!