2 steps forward, 1 knife in the back..

[BustersDogs]

Just had the council let me know they will be doing a 'surprise' inspection - they've had a complaint I am taking in more dogs that I am licensed for and keeping dogs in poor conditions.

Obviously I'm not, and my records back that up so am not concerned, but why do people feel they have to make malicious reports??

The most annoying thing is so many people round here do this illegally with no licence, but as usual it's the people doing things right that are penalised. Every time I feel we're getting somewhere and I can concentrate on the things to make my business grow, something like this happens to stress me out.

As for why I get 'notice' for what is noted on my licence as unannounced inspection is because I'm a private home. I don't know when they are coming, just a rough idea of the time as it's a time I am usually at home.

 

[fisicx]

Maybe a disgruntled neighbour fed up with the barking. Or someone who dislikes the way your dogs behave when out walking.

Have you reported all the unlicensed people?

PS:I don't like dogs so maybe I'm biased. If you were next door to me I'd be whinging all the time

 

[BustersDogs]

They said it's not a neighbour and no complaints about noise, I did ask that, luckily all the neighbours have got dogs anyway, but there's not a great deal of barking anyway - the dogs are too tired or too busy.

It's definitely about the inside of the house or garden, the council don't licence me for walking, so wouldn't be able to 'inspect' me on that account.

I reported two who I knew the addresses of, and they now have licences, I can't find the addresses of the others.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

There are plenty of people around who have such miserable and unfulfilled lives they resent anyone who appears to be doing well. It's probably one of the unlicensed dog walkers who hopes that if they drop you in the doooo-dooo they'll pick up your trade.
Not much you can do apart from co-operate with the council, smile sweetly and let them pat you on the back once they realise what a fab job you are doing.
You might just happen to mention all the unlicensed walkers during the course of conversation .....

 

[BustersDogs]

A friend said it would be someone jealous of my success! Just such a horrible way to bring in the council. I used to live next door to a morbid complainer, don't want to go back to dealing with petty people with too much time on their hands!

 

[FirstAidTraining]

I could be anyone who knows your address and that you're a dog walker.
But my initial thoughts went to the people you reported, and I also thought about the guy that dinged your van and then cut off all contact. What happened with him? Was he sacked? He'd know the inside of your house and garden and set up quite well.
As for the inspection, nothing to worry about as you're doing nothing wrong. But it's just the aggrivation of it all. Hopefully the person making the complaint will get a note from the action praising your setup and highly recommending your practices, as I have no doubt they will.
Just enjoy that fact sticking in their gullet!

 

[BustersDogs]

Ah, I didn't update about my driver, he eventually got back to me after I emailed asking for my van keys back if he didn't want to work with us. I can't go into his personal reasons on a public forum but I accepted his explanation, took the appropriate action and he's still working for me. I think its easier to sort out problems with current staff than find new staff!

When I have my inspection and get a clean bill I'll be tweeting I passed it and use it for marketting! Just felt like a moan most of all, spent time sorting that out instead of getting on with interesting stuff like organising my stand for the dog show!

 

[123Simples]

Am I understanding you correctly that you live in a private house (therefore running your business from home) your home?

 

[Banned]

I reported two who I knew the addresses of, and they now have licences, I can't find the addresses of the others.

There's your answer.

Kitchen, heat and all that.

 

[FirstAidTraining]

I'll be tweeting I passed it and use it for marketting!

Those that reported you will be watching. Shout it from every forum you can, twitter, facebook, your website, and really rub it in.
They've done you a favour in a way giving you fresh marketing and advertising material

 

[BustersDogs]

Am I understanding you correctly that you live in a private house (therefore running your business from home) your home?

Yes, the dogs live (or dayboard) in the house just like one of my dogs.

There's your answer.

Kitchen, heat and all that.

3 years later?? I'm happy that I'm doing nothing wrong, while they were acting illegally. Just having a rant, in fact one of the good things about having a licence is that people have somewhere to complain *to*.

 

[LeasingEval]

If you are cetain than you are fully compliant with all rules and regs then try and turn this into a positive experience - use the opportunity to build a relationship with the inspector - brag about all the good things you are doing that others don't, ask if there is anything you can do for them, volunteer information and tell them that you welcome their inspections at any time.

Next time they will likely take such reports with a pinch of salt if they know you and your background.

 

[123Simples]

Just had the council let me know they will be doing a 'surprise' inspection - they've had a complaint I am taking in more dogs that I am licensed for and keeping dogs in poor conditions.

So basically a private house which you have a licence from the council for "X" number of dogs.
There's no issue is there - if you have not exceeded the number of permitted dogs for which you are licenced, and the dogs have not been kept in poor conditions.
Just don't worry about it - treat it as a positive thing because the council are only carrying out their legal duties. If it is a "surprise" inspection then that could be any time I guess (otherwise it won't be a surprise)

 

[Moneyman]

You are dealing with "animal lovers" expect all kinds of trouble.

 

[BustersDogs]

What makes me laugh is nobody is bothered that my son (under 18) also lives in such 'poor conditions' but nobody is worried about him.

 

[FirstAidTraining]

but nobody is worried about him.

Is your house licenced for him? If not, I may have to report you!

 

[BustersDogs]

Is your house licenced for him? If not, I may have to report you!

My life is now over...

 

[Laurenpears]

Its a tricky one, my hubby and i took in a few rescue Labrador puppies a few months ago, basically his mum had found them whilst she was out working, took them to the vets to be checked, they were around 7 weeks old apparently, reported to the police but were never collected.
At the time we decided it would be best for us to look after the dogs and then re-home them when we felt that they were ok to leave us.
We had them vet checked, inoculated, wormed them and fleed them, and even fed them up on royal canin dog food so that they were healthy from the start.
we got them using the garden for toilet, sleeping through the night and even used to walking on a lead. At 12 weeks old we decided they would be ready for their new homes, we advertised them and only asked £150 per puppy - this was purley to cover our vet cost and food and bedding that theyd been brought = and we had a complaint made about us saying we should of given them away and we were making money off of animals that werent ours?
It really upset us, as if we hadnt of taken them in they would of most deffinitley of been dead now, but some people eh!
Needless to say they both were rehomed to fantastic families and all send photos and updates as to how theyre doing which is great, we were always honest and explained the background of the dogs, and it only made people love them more!

 

[SellerExpress]

To be honest BoredomBusters I wouldn't worry too much about it. As long as you're confident your dotting the i's and crossing the t's you'll be fine.

 

[FirstAidTraining]

and we had a complaint made about us saying we should of given them away and we were making money off of animals that werent ours?

I can only guess some peoples lives are so empty of anything meaningful they actively seek out causing trouble for others!
If that was me, and if it happens you again, (and I hope it never does) I would say in the advert a 'contribution' is required to cover your costs to date. When they call, you can give them the figure.
A relative of mine has done this. Where she lives and walks her dogs, is a very large wooded area, that is known as a place where people take pups and dogs to abandon. She's rescued several over the years, has had them wormed, defleaed, all vacs, and if old enough and not done, spayed or neutered. She's then advertised them as needing a new home (she has 4 dogs so can't really keep any more) and gets the new owners to make a 'contribution' to her costs.

 

[Laurenpears]

I can only guess some peoples lives are so empty of anything meaningful they actively seek out causing trouble for others!
If that was me, and if it happens you again, (and I hope it never does) I would say in the advert a 'contribution' is required to cover your costs to date. When they call, you can give them the figure.
A relative of mine has done this. Where she lives and walks her dogs, is a very large wooded area, that is known as a place where people take pups and dogs to abandon. She's rescued several over the years, has had them wormed, defleaed, all vacs, and if old enough and not done, spayed or neutered. She's then advertised them as needing a new home (she has 4 dogs so can't really keep any more) and gets the new owners to make a 'contribution' to her costs.

I agree, i thought to myself, well you wouldnt of looked after them the way we did...so im right and youre wrong !

 

[BustersDogs]

'Finding' lost dogs/puppies, or taking in rescue dogs with the intent to ask money for them are both things covered by various laws, so I'd be wary of posting details on a public forum if you aren't sure which laws cover those things!

Not that I'm sure people read these forums with the intent to complain, but as we've just seen, people will complain about anything.

 

[FirstAidTraining]

I agree, i thought to myself, well you wouldnt of looked after them the way we did...so im right and youre wrong !

I think it's funny people like these are so quick to complain about people like you, doing a selfless caring and kind thing, but they themselves would never do it, or open their wallets and give you something towards the costs they know are involved!
No, they see you advertising, think you're making money, and complain.

 

[Laurenpears]

i think we were ok because when we advertised the puppies we listed all the costs along with copies of reciepts from vets etc that justified the charge, so in theory, nothing was paid for the actuall dog itself

 

[Mpg]

Off topic and a thread hijack

But BB

What are your experiences of Beagle's

 

[BustersDogs]

Beagles are, in general, even tempered, mild mannered and get on well with dogs and humans, they like to be part of a pack, and if not a dog pack they like a human back so need to learn to be alone in a kind way from early on to prevent problems when left alone. They need to learn a perfect recall at a young age, with hard work put in from around 6-8 months to keep it going. After this age you will always need to maintain at a high level if you want to keep your dog coming back, but it's possible to have an offlead Beagle. If you get two at once, or a second one, you may never get a recall without professional support.

I love the ones we look after, but some who missed out on the early training, or never book training with me do have to stay on the lead most of the time.

Everything you own will be covered in white hairs, and you will do your Beagle the biggest favour ever if you throw away his food bowl and make him search and track for his food, and don't overfeed it - Beagles often get overweight as they will eat past the point of being full when given the chance, and still look hungry. Searching for their food does two things - satisfies their natural instinct to track, and lets them take longer to eat, allowing that 'full feeling' to slowly, slowly sink into their minds.

If they weren't white (couldn't live with the constant white hairs) I'd have one of my own!

(end of lecture...)

 

[123Simples]

Do you know BB I don't think you have anything to worry about at all - your reply above shows me that you are a genuine person and I hope all goes well for you regarding your thread post. Sometimes things like this are just sent to try us, and from what I've just read, a person who was not sincere would not even take the time to write a informative reply like that. Good luck

 

[123Simples]

By the way I have not got a Beagle, I do love dogs but have not got any at the moment - only a old budgie who is limping along

 

[FirstAidTraining]

Beagles often get overweight as they will eat past the point of being full when given the chance, and still look hungry.

I passed a woman today with two beagles.
From a distance, they were so overweight and sluggish I didn't know what they were. They were off the lead and she was walking ahead of them. It was all they could do to waddle a few yards at a time and then stop. It was horrible to see.

 

Just had the council let me know they will be doing a 'surprise' inspection - they've had a complaint I am taking in more dogs that I am licensed for and keeping dogs in poor conditions.

Obviously I'm not, and my records back that up so am not concerned, but why do people feel they have to make malicious reports??

Its a dog eat dog world Ooops.

Earl

 

[BustersDogs]

Do you know BB I don't think you have anything to worry about at all - your reply above shows me that you are a genuine person and I hope all goes well for you regarding your thread post. Sometimes things like this are just sent to try us, and from what I've just read, a person who was not sincere would not even take the time to write a informative reply like that. Good luck

Thanks so much! This thread has really cheered me up. I am intending to show them the UV light I own which is to check I have cleaned any 'accidents' up properly. How many other home boarders go that far? Eh? Eh?

 

[123Simples]

Thanks so much! This thread has really cheered me up. I am intending to show them the UV light I own which is to check I have cleaned any 'accidents' up properly. How many other home boarders go that far? Eh? Eh?

You're welcome
Keep us all posted on how it all goes

 

[BustersDogs]

Still on tenterhooks every time someone knocks at the door!

 

[90DC]

Don't worry about it all Linda. You appear to be doing nothing wrong and the council will see this when they visit.

By the way, they never say it's a neighbour or competitior, but that's probably the source of it.

 

[BustersDogs]

I thank you, and these poor hard done by dogs kept in 'poor conditions' thank you too.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3427522999873&saved

 

[90DC]

I thank you, and these poor hard done by dogs kept in 'poor conditions' thank you too.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3427522999873&saved

When I first started viewing that video, I assumed it was one of those appeals to stop animal cruelty, especially with the music. It was only then when I looked at the title "Chilling out time"

I'll watch again with a different mindset, eh.

 

[BustersDogs]

Oh dear, that's worrying! The music was supposed to be relaxing!

 

[FirstAidTraining]

I thank you, and these poor hard done by dogs kept in 'poor conditions' thank you too.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3427522999873&saved

How could you be so cruel.
Medicating all those lovely dogs unconscious just so you could get on with the hovering!
I shall start a campaign!!!

 

[90DC]

Oh dear, that's worrying! The music was supposed to be relaxing!

Without wanting to appear too critical, I think it may have something to do with the fact that early on in the video, all the dogs are on their backs and the editing is fairly similar to those kind of 'Stop animal cruelty' campaigns, with the zoom and fade.

You could possibly ask others how they interpret the video to see whether it's just me. I'm probably just too used to seeing those kinds of videos.

The music is fine, I think if the music was used on a different set of photos or if the early photos were not of dogs on their backs, but dogs relaxing on their fronts, then it'd work well. Maybe if you threw in a couple of photos of dogs sat in grass or something towards the start. I don't want or intend to worry you, it's just how I perceived it very early on.

I think it's great that you have done a little slideshow and I can see that the dogs are content. I just wouldn't want others to see it this way.

 

[BustersDogs]

get on with the hovering!

hmm. Do you think it looks like I need to hoover more often? Maybe that's the problem? Maybe it's the dog toys and dog beds I leave on the floor that led to the complaint? Or the blankets I leave out for dogs to snuggle into...