How Much Should I Pay My Neighbors Kid for Dog Sitting?
Okay, so we were planning a weekend getaway, and the usual dog-sitter was booked. We have a super chill Golden Retriever, basically a furry rug that occasionally wags its tail. The neighbor's kid, maybe 13 or 14 years old, always waves at our dog, Max, when we're out walking. So, I thought, "Why not?"
Figuring Out the Basics
First, I asked the kid, let’s call him… Alex, if he was even interested. Huge relief, he was! He seemed genuinely excited, which was a good sign. We chatted a bit about Max's routine – walkies, food, water, and the all-important belly rubs. Max is pretty low-maintenance, thankfully.
The Awkward Money Talk
Then came the tricky part – the money. I had absolutely no clue what to offer. I didn't want to rip the kid off, but I also didn't want to overpay and set a crazy precedent. So, I did what any reasonable person would do: I asked my friends what amount will be good.!
- One friend said $10 a day was way too low.
- Another suggested a flat rate for the whole weekend.
- Someone else said to factor in the number of walks and feedings.
My head was spinning. It felt like I was negotiating a major business deal, not paying a teenager to hang out with a dog.
Doing a Little Sneaky Research
Next, I tried to gauge what Alex might be expecting. During our conversation, I casually asked about other odd jobs he’d done, like mowing lawns or helping with yard work. He mentioned getting $15 for a couple of hours of weeding. Bingo! That gave me a baseline.
The Final Offer (and Negotiation!)
I decided to go with a flat rate for the weekend, considering it was just two nights. I proposed $30, figuring that was fair for the responsibility and time commitment. Alex seemed okay with it, but then he politely asked if $35 was possible, mentioning he was saving up for something. I agreed instantly – an extra $5 was no big deal, and it felt good to help him out.
The Happy Ending
We came back to a happy dog and a tidy house. Alex had clearly taken good care of Max, and he even left a little note about how much fun they had. I paid him the $35, and he was thrilled. We will definitely ask him again next time – it was a win-win for everyone!
