What do you do with the dogs when the cleaning lady comes?

L L CG · January 2012

Our cleaner comes while we are at work. We used to take the dogs to a day board at a vet's office but one of our dogs gets too worked up in the kennel to go anymore. Sad face.

So, she's coming tomorrow to clean and it's supposed to be chilly outside (will be prob 36 when she gets there in the morning). I'm not crazy about just putting them outside for 4-5 hours until she finishes. She is up and down the stairs constantly, so locking them upstairs while she is downstairs or vice-versa isn't really an option. I also can't crate them because they try to get out and hurt themselves.

We are training them so I don't think I have to worry about them jumping on her. Is just letting them roam while she cleans an option? They are big dogs- pit bulls- but super sweet.

MC+KK · January 2012

What about doggy daycare?

L L CG · January 2012

MC+KK:
What about doggy daycare?

It's an option, but I really don't want to add $40 or more on top of what we pay our cleaner. The good thing about the vet's place was it was only $9 per dog.

august8080 · January 2012

A lot of people are scared of dogs (and I'm not just saying that bc they're pit bulls--we have two golden retrievers and I'm amazed how many people act like they're attack dogs), so I'd be concerned that she wouldn't be comfortable. Could you ask her?

I'd be inclined to put them outside with a dog bed to help them stay warm. Or is the garage an option? That would be warmer.

MC+KK · January 2012

Hmm, garage then maybe with a space heater? We have to take our dogs to my sisters everytime we do anything fun over here so I totally get it

MrsMillerTime · January 2012

I would be hesitant to keep them in the house because even if they leave the cleaning lady alone, there is always that chance they'll make a mess in "something" and create more work for her.

I vote putting them in the garage. Tell the cleaning lady she can let them back in the house when she leaves.

BSE · January 2012

our dog is just in the house. i was home the first couple times the cleaners came to make sure he was comfortable with them and vise versa. the cleaners never seemed to mind, i'm sure they are use to dogs in lots of the houses. is it possible for you to be there when the cleaners arrive if the dogs have never been around them? and can you check that the cleaners are ok with it? it might not even be an issue for them.

is there something they can give the dogs to distract them, like a bone? i laugh imagining my dog following them around while they clean but really he probably lays down and naps after the excitement of people in the house wears off.

L L CG · January 2012

august8080:
A lot of people are scared of dogs (and I'm not just saying that bc they're pit bulls--we have two golden retrievers and I'm amazed how many people act like they're attack dogs), so I'd be concerned that she wouldn't be comfortable. Could you ask her?
I'd be inclined to put them outside with a dog bed to help them stay warm. Or is the garage an option? That would be warmer.

Well, I asked her and she said she would be fine with it, although I know in the past she's not been comfortable with them (she has asked me if they bite and told me she was bitten by a dog when she was little).

Maybe I could try the garage. I do worry, though, that they'll try to break the door down because they won't be able to see her. I think that barrier will make them nervous.

fjaril · January 2012

We checked that our cleaners were dog friendly and I was home the first few times to be sure they were good together.

Nellie leaves her alone after she pets her for a bit, but I often leave her outside for a while too, the cleaner knows to let her (nellie) in if she's barking

michelleaxo · January 2012

I'd say keep them in the garage. Or maybe your downstairs bathroom? Unless she cleans that also, then I'd go back to the garage.

jml5q · January 2012

BSE:

our dog is just in the house. i was home the first couple times the cleaners came to make sure he was comfortable with them and vise versa. the cleaners never seemed to mind, i'm sure they are use to dogs in lots of the houses. is it possible for you to be there when the cleaners arrive if the dogs have never been around them? and can you check that the cleaners are ok with it? it might not even be an issue for them.

is there something they can give the dogs to distract them, like a bone? i laugh imagining my dog following them around while they clean but really he probably lays down and naps after the excitement of people in the house wears off.

ditto this, especially because we have the same cleaners.

granted, i have 2 small dogs, but i'm sure they bark like maniacs when the cleaners arrive and then probably just go back to sleep once they crew gets in the house. i'd talk to you cleaning people and hopefully you can just leave your dog like you usually do when you go to work.

mlf625 · January 2012

I leave Chester out, but she's a Golden fanatic and has puppy-sat for us, so they kind of have a relationship. I wouldn't leave your dogs out considering she seems to have a fear of dogs. Obviously this is a northerner talking, but I think they'd be fine outside. Put some warm blankets on your covered patio, and ask her to put them in when she leaves.

ec3under4 · January 2012

When I used to have a cleaner

I have a little hallway downstairs that I put the dogs in and then I just put a baby gate up at each end so they can't get out then I just didn't have her clean that area. Do you have a small bathroom or a room that doesn't get used much that you wouldn't mind not having cleaned? If so, I'd just put them in there.

MC+KK · January 2012

Can u baby gate them in your garage so they can see in?

L L CG · January 2012

MC+KK:
Can u baby gate them in your garage so they can see in?

OHHHHH.

Now THAT is a good idea. VERY GOOD IDEA, KK!!!!

L L CG · January 2012

mlf625:
I leave Chester out, but she's a Golden fanatic and has puppy-sat for us, so they kind of have a relationship. I wouldn't leave your dogs out considering she seems to have a fear of dogs. Obviously this is a northerner talking, but I think they'd be fine outside. Put some warm blankets on your covered patio, and ask her to put them in when she leaves.

I'll let them know that Auntie M doesn't care if they freeze their little pit bull butts off. Nice.

BSE · January 2012

are they use to being outside or kept in the garage? if they know someone is in the house will they bark/scratch at the door and will that drive your cleaner crazy and/or freak her out more?

MC+KK · January 2012

Anytime mama, anytime!

sozay23 · January 2012

my dogs are both just in the house while she cleans. My dogs are super laid back and I doubt the black lab even gets off the couch while she cleans. In fact one time I asked her to make sure they weren't in her way and she said the cat followed her around more then the dogs!

If she is fearful of them though that is a whole different ballgame. Obviously your dogs will pick up on this and could in turn be fearful of her- even if they know her. I think the babygate idea is great but will they just jump over it? sometimes an (even open) barrier makes dogs more intent on knowing what they are missing out on... Either way I think the garage is likely your best bet.

ETA: punctuation is my friend.

AustinMimi · January 2012

I would not want to risk my dogs getting perturbed about something while having them loose in the house. I have pit mixes; they both hate the vacuum cleaner and I have to put them away when *I* vacuum or they'll bark at it like maniacs. I also don't trust that people won't accidentally let the dogs out the front door. If someone doesn't know how to handle a large dog - and it sounds like she wouldn't - then I would not take a risk of something happening to her to to them. I would pick a room that needs the least amount of cleaning and leave them in there with some Kongs or bones.

molliedb · January 2012

ours is either in the master closet (with his bed, its a walk-in) or in the garage with his bed. garage would be cold tomorrow though.

intheatx · January 2012

We used to crate our dogs when the cleaners came, and made sure they knew where the treats are, so they could drop one in their crates if they were barking at them. Now, though, DH just plans to work from home on the mornings the maids come.

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