Suggestions needed, Dog Poop

**krbshappy71** · 03-09-2010, 04:28 PM

Hello! I struck a deal with my teen that she would be paid $10 a week to clean up backyard of dog poop. She was thrilled of course for the money at first and now the newness has worn off. She no longer does it on a regular basis causing the backyard to become very, very, nasty.

When I first brought the deal to her I told her that I could pay someone else to do it or pay her and she agreed to take the job.

Do I set a consequence for not doing it or just turn around and pay someone else the times she doesn't do it?

I was doing a "natural consequence" when this first started happening in which she would only be paid for the week she did it. So $10 for the job, and if she waited too long and ended up doing 3 weeks worth for only $10 that was her natural consequence. But now its gone on too long. I fear someone will complain very soon.

Paying someone else will be more expensive and I don't want to do it myself as that doesn't give her any sort of "missing out on the money" feeling. (compared to watching someone else do her job for money) To be honest, I seriously hate to do it which is why I offered to pay her.

Please give suggestions, and I love creativity and try to follow the Love & Logic parenting but I'm stuck on this one.

**NewLeaf** · 03-09-2010, 04:37 PM

I don't have any advice. Just hugs. My teenage son doesn't stick with his chores and he misses out on the money.

Our dog goes out in the mornings when it is still dark and does his business in the small woods behind our house, and again at night when it is dark. We wait until dark because of the leash law. When he does go in the yard he sticks to one place. My dh takes care of it.

Could you instead pay your dd to walk the dog to do his business. Just make sure it's not in someone elses yard.

**krbshappy71** · 03-09-2010, 04:41 PM

Its four dogs. They walk but don't do their business, sounds odd I know but its how I trained them. When we walk its fast and exercise then they potty at home.

I knew this was coming, I just really believed that she would stick to it and she really did for awhile, then with the snowstorms she had excuses and maybe that got her out of the habit? How do you negotiate money with someone who apparently isn't missing the money, ha! I considered charging her for the task NOT being done but I didn't know how to, well, justify that.

**Kitten20** · 03-09-2010, 05:22 PM

What stuck out to me is that you "struck a deal" with your teen, which sounds more like she could do it or not, depending if she wants the $10.

I don't really see how you can set any consequence to this. Is she getting money elsewhere (another job)? Are you giving her money "just because" when she wants to go out with friends? (If so, definitely stop that.)

You could make it a mandatory chore and give her consequences if she doesn't do it. Or can you find a neighbor boy who would be willing to do it?

Good luck!

**dubsessedbaby** · 03-09-2010, 05:52 PM

how old is she exactly?

**krbshappy71** · 03-09-2010, 06:24 PM

Yes you are right. I set myself up by making it "available option" instead of mandatory chore that she would be paid for. Hm.

She's 16 and doesn't have a job yet. Good suggestion to stop paying for extras but I'm usually broke anyhow so that will be easier to stop doing as I haven't been able to offer much money for that anyhow.

She's doing it tonight as I insisted it be done, but am feeling like I did set myself up for failure and she's probably feeling like, "hey, I thought I could do it if I wanted to and if I don't then I just don't get paid."

At one point I did ask her if she was tired of doing it and wanted me to hire it out and she told me that she still wanted to do it and for a couple of weeks started up again. Then stopped again.

**JerryG** · 03-09-2010, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

Hello! I struck a deal with my teen that she would be paid $10 a week to clean up backyard of dog poop. She was thrilled of course for the money at first and now the newness has worn off. She no longer does it on a regular basis causing the backyard to become very, very, nasty.

When I first brought the deal to her I told her that I could pay someone else to do it or pay her and she agreed to take the job.

Do I set a consequence for not doing it or just turn around and pay someone else the times she doesn't do it?

I was doing a "natural consequence" when this first started happening in which she would only be paid for the week she did it. So $10 for the job, and if she waited too long and ended up doing 3 weeks worth for only $10 that was her natural consequence. But now its gone on too long. I fear someone will complain very soon.

Paying someone else will be more expensive and I don't want to do it myself as that doesn't give her any sort of "missing out on the money" feeling. (compared to watching someone else do her job for money) To be honest, I seriously hate to do it which is why I offered to pay her.

Please give suggestions, and I love creativity and try to follow the Love & Logic parenting but I'm stuck on this one.

I don't know about Love & Logic parenting - I'd pay someone else or do it myself. If you're asking the question, it means that she's probably not doing a good job and you've asked her and she's wanted to do a good job. But it's certainly not working for you.

**Samigirl** · 03-09-2010, 11:48 PM

When I had a similar problem with my son, I told him this...."Either get paid to do it today, or do it for free tomorrow....you decide".

**frugalfranny** · 03-10-2010, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by Samigirl

When I had a similar problem with my son, I told him this...."Either get paid to do it today, or do it for free tomorrow....you decide".

Loved this one......

I would set a schedule.......she does it every "x" day........and THEN gets paid.

**nadine64** · 03-10-2010, 03:51 AM

Originally Posted by Samigirl

When I had a similar problem with my son, I told him this...."Either get paid to do it today, or do it for free tomorrow....you decide".

I agree with this one. Don't make it an option, but give the $ as a reward if done when told to. Soon she'll learn to do it on time because either way she'll have to do it. No ifs, ands or buts. Good luck. I have 2 teenagers at home. It's a daily battle.

**2ndGenGranola** · 03-10-2010, 08:18 AM

It sounds like it could be a time management issue.

Around here (and when I was growing up) things were prioritized -- schoolwork, chores THEN free time. Chores and schoolwork could be flip flopped depending upon season. (an outdoor chore like doggy duty would come first because it gets dark early in the winter).

**lwlynch** · 03-10-2010, 08:46 AM

forget the money part.. make it her thing to do.. mine all have things to do around the house for the house, and family. i tell them that is part of being and living together.. and if she doesnt do it nicely then....oops, no cell, no tv, no computer.. gosh i got a whole list to do away with.. my sons fav is dont do it and you can go play outside..lol.. (no video games)

**krbshappy71** · 03-10-2010, 09:00 AM

Our original schedule, that she agreed to, was Sunday at noon. I am really leaning towards the "do it on schedule for pay or the next day for free" method. Because if I hired someone else I would expect them to do it on the date/time requested.

And maybe if we do have something known-planned during the time/date we agreed on then she has the option to do it the day before, same time, for pay but not the day after.

YOU ARE ALL GREAT!! Thank you for the support on this and the ideas.

**Greebo** · 03-10-2010, 09:25 AM

What are her other sources of money?

**krbshappy71** · 03-10-2010, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

What are her other sources of money?

That's all. Until she gets a job. Well, she gets birthday and Christmas money from family and used to babysit here and there but in general she doesn't have money. She has a bf that pays for all their outings so in our day to day life she doesn't need money. We have food at home for her to take for lunches, I don't buy lunches so she doesn't have lunch money.