No, it was just dirty. Don’t know the circumstances, but for instance, the tile floor in the kitchen/dining area was almost completely black, not having been washed in who knows how long. I’m getting it back to normal. Still have some bedrooms to do!
a lot of good suggestions, including addressing this with the son and finding a good way to have you both tackle this issue. So not much more to say on that front.
But as someone who read the other thread you started, can I ask, have you raised your rates yet? And, if not, why not? Seriously. Up. No. Higher than that. No. Even higher. 
“I think I got it all, just give the dogs a quick bath and you’ll be in good shape” and hopefully they’ll understand you.
Otherwise, if you need to be a bit more direct…“We’ll we’re all set here, everything in the house is clean and odor free but the dogs need a bath” or something along those lines.
ETA, is it possible for you to let the dogs out in the yard while you do that last bit of cleaning? I’m thinking if they come home to a nice clean fresh smelling house and then you say one of the above things, they’ll understand when they let the dogs back in and it’s clear that any odor they are noticing came in with the dogs.
According to the reviews I read? BY FAR.
Edited to add: they apparently break down frequently and you’re left with a mire of soup to dispose of in some fashion. It’s not just that they work merrily away and there is poop soup involved. It’s that they break. And it’s bad when they do. Really bad.
Missed the edit window above: Read the 20 1-star reviews on Amazon.com.
Apparently the scent of baking cat shit isn’t wonderful, either.
(apparently the company has an “F” score with the Better Business Bureau)
Hello Rilchiam,
You’ve referred a couple of times to hoping that this turns into a regular job. Why not use the dog situation to seal that? It sounds from what you have said that you’ve dealt with the customers slight embarrassment very diplomatically, I would suggest that being frank with them that the dogs are one of the key sources of the problems they have had is a matter to be addressed.
I can imagine they would consider this in the context of your overall approach (especially if you get the son on board) and if (I don’t know if this is an option) you offer to give the dogs a bath say, once a month, you can make it an irresistable offer and maybe boost the fees as well.
There’s never a problem being frank IMO, it doesn’t necessarily equate with being rude or insensitive.
Good luck with it.
Regarding that crap washer, I can’t imagine a much more disgusting and pointless concept. Someone upthread mentioned good quality litter (Litter for dogs? That’s a new one!) and this, along with a well ventilated area and regular cleaning is a much better and less vomit-inducing option. You want the job (heh) done quickly and efficiently. Just the thought of what would happen if it broke down is making me rather queasy… :eek:
Ender: Yes, I have raised my rates. And I’m negotiating a bit differently, to my benefit.
MarkF: Yeah, you’re right. Only thing is, I’ve never owned a dog, and consequently never bathed a dog. That said, though, on Monday I was upstairs and found out that someone uses a CPAP machine. So that seals the deal: anyone who uses a CPAP should not have pet dander flying around. Someone has to bathe these dogs, end of story.
Hello again Rilchiam,
Please excuse my ignorance of your detailed situation, I’m just chucking these fabulously worthy suggestions based on what I am reading in this thread. I am guessing this cleaning business is a growing venture of yours? You have clearly identified a good gig here for the want of a skill that doesn’t seem incredibly difficult to address.
I have no idea how you feel about dogs, of course, nor do I know what breeds these guys are but ISTM that once you have ascertained any special needs for the dogs (speak to the vet / owners) regarding skin problems, it’s fairly straightforward bathing most breeds. Expect to get wet so do it outdoors, don’t worry, they will dry themselves! 
Once you have the special dog shamppo it should all be good. If you are really anti the idea, maybe you know someone who will come onboard with you to do this? At the very least, be proactive in offering them solutions to keeping their home in the now spick and span state you have achieved. That’ll garner you good word of mouth locally.
I just have seen a lot of tales recently about people on their uppers that I am pleased to see someone doing well and I would hate to see you miss out because of a minor (IMO) obstacle.
BTW I am guessing that CPAP is not a mis-typed abbreviation for the aforesaid machine but some kind of medical device?
Sorry I’m so late replying! Yes, I’m a one-person operation (so far).
I finally made the suggestion yesterday, and was told that there’s “a dog groomer up the road.” I’m going back on Monday, so I’ll know then if anything’s been done. I could theoretically bring a change of clothes and bathe the dogs myself, but trimming is another matter.
And CPAP: Isn’t that what you call those machines for sleep apnea?
Yup. Continuous positive air pressure - it blows air up your nose and down your throat all night. And they usually have changable air filters. I don’t know if it can pull all the dander out, but it stops pet hairs.
Thanks Opal Cat. I’ll pass on the baking cat poop or a plugged up sewer. :eek:
I didn’t sign up for cat box duty but she expects me to change them once a week. I find litter boxes gross but the moneys good. When she uses Fresh Step it’s much easier on the nose.
Okay, over the past three months, I’ve made two tactful suggestions, and spoken to the dog walker. Dogs still have not been bathed or trimmed. Smallest dog’s fur is so matted that when she scratches herself, it comes off in clumps. Walls are greasy from biggest dog rubbing against them. Today, I saw an open sore on middle dog. Enough: called adult son and told him, “I like this job, I like your parents, but these dogs are breaking my heart.” Described situation to him. Don’t know what will come of it. Just can’t keep silent when dog is walking around with open sore.
Wow. I’m sorry you’ve had to watch things continue to go downhill. I hope something gets done soon. Depending on how far you wanted to take things, matting that bad and open sores are actually neglect on a criminal level in some states. (I’m posting from Chicago - it’s criminal here) If you’re not happy with how the son follows up, you could call the local Humane Society and see what next step might be available.
Otherwise, taking the dogs to a groomer isn’t that terribly expensive, is it? Perhaps for an additional one-time fee, you could drop them off in the morning at a groomer and pick them up at end of day? Just have them shaved and bathed. If there’s more than one sore once they start shaving, though, that might open another can of worms when they want to send the dogs to a vet.
It’s hard to figure out sometimes how involved to get.
Ah, but how would I drop them off and pick them up? I don’t want them in my car; no offense, but I steam-clean the upholstery. And the client has motorcycles and vintage cars. Someone with a van will have to get involved. And then as you said, it might get worse before it gets better. (“Can of worms” – hee!)
They’ll come up with something or they won’t. And if they don’t, I’ll call the Humane Society. At this rate, I think calling them IS “coming up with something.”
Does your area have any mobile pet grooming services? If so, they typically have a van or truck outfitted to bathe, trim, clip nails, etc. Maybe they or their son would agree to that?
Don’t forget that along with the bathing and nail trimming, there’s also the lovely issue of “expressing the anal glands”. If you’ve seen any of those puppies scooting around on their rear ends, it’s because their anal glands are full, possibly impacted.
Having watched a how-to video on youtube on expressing one’s dog’s anal glands, I can now say that no matter how broke I am, I will pay someone else to do it.
No, I haven’t seen them doing that. :eek:
I have the number and address of a mobile pet groomer in their area. Thing is, I have no idea what to expect on Monday. I may find myself barred from the premises. But I knew that going in.
Whatever happens, you did the right thing, with the best of intentions.
Two vets have told me that if they’d realized that particular chore was part of being a veterinarian, they would not have entered the profession. 
That was part of Mike Rowe’s tasks on the “dog groomer” segment of his show, Dirty Jobs (on Discovery Channel). He’s done an awful lot of filthy jobs but IIRC that really seemed to disgust him.