How much to pay my neighbors son to walk my dog?

[dtsaos]

He hasn't offered so I don't even know if he'll be interested. But if he is, how much should I offer to pay him. Would want him to walk our dog twice a day everyday or as many days as he'd like to do a week. My neighbor's son is 13 and in eighth grade-just so you know his age. What'd you guys think?

 

[bjgrazi]

I would say $10 a day that's $5 a walk, pretty good money for a kid that age. I know my son who is 13 would love to do it.

 

[pearlieq]

I agree--$10 a day sounds about right.

 

[dtsaos]

Okay, I don't mean to sound cheap, but I just couldn't afford to do that much. If I did 5 days it would be $50.00-that's a couple of hundred bucks a month! Can't do it. What about half that? Would offering $5.00 a day be insulting? That's still decent money for a kid his age, isn't it?

 

[chadfromdallas]

I agree--$10 a day sounds about right.

Stop being cheap, this sounds good.

And you better hope to Allah that your dog isn't a biter

 

[chadfromdallas]

That's still decent money for a kid his age, isn't it?

If it were me, I'd take it probably, but I was making $20 a yard mowing at 13

 

[Jennifer S]

I pay two girls (10 & 12) next door $2 each ,each time they let my dog out. They do NOT walk the dog. We have a fence so they just open the door, let her out, give her a treat and fill up the water bowl. If only one girl shows up then it's $2. I figire it doesn't take long since they aren't walking the dog.

If you have a fence this may be an option or just have him let the dog out once a day and it would only be $5.

 

[dtsaos]

Texas,

I think I made if pretty clear that I'm not trying to be cheap-in fact I'm not a cheap person at all-I just can't afford to pay that much, there's a big difference.

And my dog's the nicest, friendliest, face lickin', kid loving dog you'll ever meet. And I have 3 kids 4.5, 2.5 and 2 months old.

 

[epcotfan]

Years ago I worked as a dog walker for a pet sitting business and they charged
$15.00 for a half hour walk and $20.00 for an hour walk.

 

[Lisa F]

Since it's a regular thing I think $25/week sounds pretty fair. Assuming it takes him 10 minutes to walk the dog each time that's the equivalent of $15/hr and it only takes 20 minutes out of his day. Sounds like a good deal all around. If it were a one time shot (like you going on vacation) I would probably pay more.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Are you planning on having the boy actually bring your dog for a walk or just bring the dog out to do his business? If it's a couple of quick, out the door visits, I think that $5/day is fine. Afterall, it wouldn't take him long. It will mean that he will need to be around those hours, though, and will have to plan his day accordingly.

My son is 14yo and in the 9th grade, so about the same age, and I think that he would be happy with $5/day that he could count on. I would make sure that I gave him plenty of notice if he wasn't going to be needed for the day. Sometimes the way a person is treated means as much as the pay! Let us know what he says.

T&B

 

[dtsaos]

thank you Lisa F., that does make sense. And anyway, if he felt it wasn't enough he could always say no!

 

[dtsaos]

Okay let me explain,
I am home with my kids and we do have a fenced in yard, which is where our dog almost always goes and then of couse it gets picked up. But my dog gets so excited when we walk him that I started to think it would be a good idea if he got walked everyday. My DH works long hours and just feels it's no biggie to just let the dog go in the yard. And with the kids being so little, it's hard for me to take all of them out with the dog. I know lots of stay at home moms do that, but my DD 2.5 is very crazy (off the charts) and my dog isn't really used to being walked so he's a little hyper when he is-so the combo is just more than i want to deal with. He's basically a happy, healthy well loved dog-maybe I should just leave well enough alone.

 

[Pam]

I think your dog would be happy with 1 walk a day. That's what our beagle gets.

 

[Jennifer S]

I think your dog would be happy with 1 walk a day. That's what our beagle gets.

I agree. It's not like your dog doesn't get out all day. A walk is great but with small kids it's hard to do even every day. You could even do it every other or to get some sanity walk the dog yourself - by yourself- when your DH is home. You might like it.

 

[dtsaos]

Jennifer s,

Good point. I could use a breather once a day myself!

 

[sweet angel]

Two things:

1) You said your dog is hyper when he's being walked? It might not be a good idea for someone other than you or your DH to walk him. Do you really want a 13-year old having the responsibility of controlling the dog? I ask this because my one dog (shep/something) is WAY hyper when he goes for walks because he gets so excited. He pulls and pulls and pulls. I wouldn't want a kid to have to deal with that.

2) My son picks up my neighbor's dog poop twice a week for $20. They have a rotti and a pit/lab mix, so we're talking a lot of BIG poop.

 

[jajuan]

I don't have time to read the answers so I apologize in advace if I am repeating things that were said. My DS11 walks 2 dogs for one family and gets 8.00 each walk. Another family, he walks one dog 2x a week and gets 10.00. My DD9 goes every day and either lets them out to potty or walks and she gets 10.00 a week. Just because she is happy to do it. Hope this helps. I know it is a lot, but my neighbor said it would cost her 12.00 a day just for a service to let her dogs out to potty...so it is worth it to her.

 

[dtsaos]

sweet angel,
that's a good point, he may be a bit much for a kid to handle. I wasn't thinking that because he is such a friendly dog, but he is on the big side (he's half golden/ half hound of some kind-we don't know who the daddy was).

By the way, we used to have a Rotti too, so I know all about picking up lots of BIG poop! She died of cancer last spring and we miss her dearly, but I will admit I don't miss that! Our dog is very lonely without her. We have two cats and that helps because he really likes them, but it's definetly not the same. That's one of the reasons I wanted to get him out for walks....we all know how dogs Umm socialize..

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Given the fact that you are flexible with your walking times and are home so the dog does get let out, I have two thoughts. One is to ask the neighbor boy if he's interested in walking the dog once a day. A nice, brisk walk for at least 15 minutes. Seems $5/walk would be good.

My other thought is that the neighbor could come keep an eye on the kids for a little while and you could walk the dog. That might actually be a good option. The dog gets out with an adult who can handle him, and you get some fresh air. If I remember correctly, you have a baby--maybe you can put the baby in a front pack and just leave the older kids for a little while with the teen.

I totally understand about the out of control 2 1/2 year old. My youngest was the same way. I could hardly bring him outside because he would take off to other yards and hide. Not fun! This, too, shall pass!

T&B