FAQ

Between my partner and myself, we have over 50 years of combined experience in caring for and taking care of dogs. Individually, each of us has been dedicated to this work for over 25 years. Here’s a bit more about our background:

1. Diverse Experience: Over the decades, we have cared for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. This includes everything from high-energy puppies to senior dogs with special needs, and everything in between.
2. Comprehensive Skills: Our extensive experience has equipped us with a wide range of skills, including:
   • Basic and Advanced Training: We have successfully trained dogs in basic obedience as well as more advanced commands and tricks.
   • Medical Care: We are experienced in administering medications, providing care for chronic conditions, and recognizing signs of illness or distress.
   • Behavioral Management: We are adept at managing various behavioral issues, such as anxiety, aggression, and fearfulness, using positive reinforcement techniques.
3. Professional Development: We stay updated on best practices through continuous education, attending workshops, and networking with other professionals in the field. This commitment ensures that we are always providing the highest standard of care.
4. Personal Passion: Beyond professional experience, we are deeply passionate about dogs and their well-being. This passion drives us to treat each dog as if they were our own, ensuring they receive love, attention, and the best possible care.

Our decades of hands-on experience and ongoing commitment to learning and improvement make us exceptionally well-equipped to provide top-notch care for your dog. We understand the nuances of canine behavior and needs, and we are dedicated to ensuring your pet’s happiness and health.

Handling dogs with different temperaments is a crucial part of providing excellent care, and we have extensive experience in this area. Here’s how we ensure each dog feels comfortable and safe:

1. Initial Assessment: We always conduct a thorough initial assessment of each dog’s temperament during our first meet-and-greet. This helps us understand their personality, preferences, and any specific triggers or behavioral issues.
2. Personalized Approach: Each dog is unique, and we tailor our approach to meet their individual needs. For example:
   • Shy or Anxious Dogs: We use gentle, slow movements and give them plenty of time to get comfortable with Us. We might start with shorter visits or walks to build trust gradually.
   • Energetic Dogs: We ensure they get plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep them engaged and happy. This could include longer walks, playtime, and interactive games.
   • Dominant or Aggressive Dogs: We use positive reinforcement techniques to manage and modify their behavior. We always maintain a calm and assertive demeanor to ensure they understand boundaries.
3. Continuous Monitoring: We continuously monitor each dog’s behavior and adjust our approach as needed. If a dog is showing signs of stress or discomfort, we take immediate steps to address the issue, whether that means giving them a break, changing the environment, or trying different activities.
4. Training and Knowledge: We have training in canine behavior and first aid, which equips us with the skills to handle a wide range of temperaments effectively and safely.
5. Communication with Owners: We maintain open communication with pet owners about their dog’s behavior and progress. If there are any concerns or changes in behavior, we discuss them promptly and work together to find the best solutions.

By taking a personalized and attentive approach, we ensure that each dog, regardless of temperament, receives the care and attention they need to feel secure and happy.

Ensuring compatibility between ourselves and your dog is a key priority, and we take several steps to make sure your dog feels comfortable and happy in our care:

1. Meet-and-Greet Session: Before starting any services, we arrange a meet-and-greet session at your home or a familiar environment for your dog. This allows us to observe your dog’s behavior, interact with them, and get a sense of their personality in a relaxed setting.
2. Behavioral Assessment: During the meet-and-greet, we conduct a behavioral assessment to understand your dog’s likes, dislikes, temperament, and any specific needs or triggers they may have. We pay close attention to their body language and responses to our presence and actions.
3. Owner Input: We value your insights as the owner and will ask you detailed questions about your dog’s daily routine, habits, preferences, and any past experiences with other caregivers. This helps us tailor our approach to align with what your dog is used to and comfortable with.
4. Trial Period: If needed, we offer a trial period with shorter walks or visits to gradually build a relationship with your dog. This helps both of us gauge compatibility and ensures your dog adjusts smoothly to our care.
5. Positive Reinforcement: We use positive reinforcement techniques to build trust and a positive connection with your dog. This includes treats, praise, and engaging activities that your dog enjoys, making our interactions enjoyable and stress-free.
6. Flexibility and Adaptability: We are flexible and adapt our methods based on your dog’s comfort level. If we notice any signs of discomfort or anxiety, we adjust our approach to ensure they feel secure and relaxed.
7. Open Communication: We maintain open communication with you throughout the process. If there are any concerns or observations about your dog’s behavior, we discuss them with you and work together to find the best solutions.

By taking these steps, we ensure that we can build a positive, trusting relationship with your dog, making our time together enjoyable and beneficial for both of us.

Absolutely, we highly recommend scheduling a meet-and-greet before committing to our services. This meeting is essential for several reasons:

1. Building Trust: It allows your pet to become familiar with us in a comfortable environment, helping to build trust and ensure they feel safe and relaxed in our presence.
2. Understanding Needs: During the meet-and-greet, we can learn more about your pet’s specific needs, habits, and preferences. This helps us tailor our services to provide the best possible care.
3. Answering Questions: It gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about our services, experience, and approach. We’re happy to address any concerns and provide detailed information about how we care for pets.
4. Assessing Compatibility: It allows both of us to assess compatibility and ensure that we’re a good fit for each other. This includes understanding your pet’s behavior, temperament, and any special requirements they might have.
5. Tour of Home Environment: If we will be caring for your pet in your home, it gives us a chance to see the environment and learn where important items like food, leashes, and cleaning supplies are kept. This ensures a smooth and efficient visit.
6. Setting Expectations: We can discuss and set clear expectations regarding schedules, routines, and any specific instructions or preferences you have for your pet’s care.

We believe a meet-and-greet is a crucial step in providing high-quality, personalized care for your pet. We are flexible with scheduling and can arrange a time that is convenient for you. Please let us know your availability, and we can set up a meeting.

Absolutely, we am more than happy to accommodate special needs or requests to ensure your pet receives the best possible care. Here’s how we handle this:

1. Personalized Care Plans: We tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each pet. During our initial consultation or meet-and-greet, we can discuss any specific requirements your pet may have, including dietary needs, medication schedules, exercise routines, or behavioral considerations.
2. Experience with Special Needs: We have experience caring for pets with a variety of special needs, including senior pets, pets with medical conditions, and those with behavioral challenges. I am trained in administering medications, providing specialized diets, and following specific care routines.
3. Ongoing Communication: We maintain open and ongoing communication with you to ensure that we fully understand and can effectively meet your pet’s needs. If there are any changes or updates to their care requirements, we adapt our approach accordingly.
4. Attention to Detail: We pay close attention to the details of your pet’s care plan and follow your instructions precisely. This includes adhering to feeding schedules, exercise routines, and any other specific care instructions you provide.
5. Special Requests: Whether it’s additional playtime, specific types of toys, or a particular walking route, we are happy to accommodate any special requests you may have to ensure your pet feels comfortable and happy.
6. Emergency Preparedness: For pets with medical conditions, we ensure we are well-informed about their health history and have a clear plan in place for emergencies, including knowing the location of the nearest veterinary clinic and having your contact information readily available.
7. Flexibility: We understand that each pet is unique, and we are flexible in adjusting our services to meet their individual needs. If there are any special accommodations required, we are willing to work with you to make sure your pet receives the best possible care.

Our goal is to provide a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for your pet, and we are committed to meeting any special needs or requests to achieve that.

A typical day for a dog in my care is structured to ensure they receive plenty of attention, exercise, and mental stimulation, all tailored to their individual needs. Here’s what a typical day might look like:

1. Morning Routine:
   • Arrival and Greeting: We start the day by greeting your dog with a calm, positive demeanor to set a friendly tone.
   • Morning Walk: Depending on your dog’s energy level, we begin with a morning walk or play session. This helps them expend some energy and prepares them for a balanced day.
   • Breakfast: After the walk, it’s time for breakfast. We ensure your dog is fed according to their dietary needs and schedule. If they have specific feeding instructions or need medication, we handle that with care.
2. Mid-Morning Activities:
   • Playtime and Enrichment: We engage your dog with interactive play, puzzle toys, or training exercises to keep their mind active. This could include fetch, tug-of-war, or any games they particularly enjoy.
   • Rest and Relaxation: After an active morning, your dog has some downtime to relax, nap, or enjoy some quiet time. We ensure they have a comfortable place to rest.
3. Afternoon Routine:
   • Midday Walk or Potty Break: We take your dog out for a midday walk or potty break to stretch their legs and get some fresh air.
   • Lunchtime (if applicable): If your dog requires a mid-day meal, we provide that as per your instructions.
4. Afternoon Activities:
   • Social Interaction: If your dog enjoys socializing, we can arrange safe interactions with other dogs or provide additional playtime. This helps with socialization and keeps them happy.
   • Training and Enrichment: We might spend some time on basic training or reinforcing good behavior through positive reinforcement techniques.
5. Evening Routine:
   • Evening Walk: As the day winds down, we take your dog for another walk to help them unwind and prepare for a restful evening.
   • Dinner: We ensure your dog receives their dinner at the appropriate time, following any specific feeding guidelines you provide.
   • Relaxation and Wind Down: After dinner, it’s time for some quiet, relaxing activities. This could include gentle petting, brushing, or simply letting them relax in their favorite spot.
6. Communication with Owner:
   • Daily Updates: We provide you with daily updates, including photos and notes about your dog’s activities, mood, and any observations. This ensures you stay connected and informed about your pet’s day.

Each dog is unique, and we tailor our approach to fit their individual needs, preferences, and energy levels. Our goal is to provide a balanced routine that keeps your dog happy, healthy, and well-cared for.

Handling access to your home with the utmost care and respect is a top priority for me. Here’s how we ensure security and peace of mind:

1. Secure Key Handling:
   • We keep your house key securely stored when not in use. It is always kept in a safe, lockable container or on your care provider.
   • We label keys with non-identifying information, such as a code or the pet’s name, to ensure your address and personal information remain confidential.
2. Entry Procedures:
   • We follow a consistent routine for entering and leaving your home to ensure everything is secure. This includes locking all doors and windows upon leaving and checking for any signs of issues when we arrive.
   • If you prefer, we can use a lockbox or a digital lock code. In the case of digital locks, we ensure the code is kept secure and not shared.
3. Access Times:
   • We strictly adhere to the scheduled times for visits and walks. If any changes are necessary, we communicate with you in advance to confirm the adjustments.
   • We make sure to minimize our time inside your home, focusing on pet care and any additional agreed-upon tasks.
4. Respect for Privacy:
   • We respect your privacy and only access areas necessary for pet care. We follow any specific instructions you provide regarding off-limit areas or rooms.
   • We ensure that personal belongings and household items are not disturbed during our visit.
5. Documentation and Communication:
   • We maintain a digital log of our visits, including arrival and departure times, and any notable observations about your pet or home.
   • We keep you updated with regular reports, including photos and notes about your pet’s activities, ensuring you are always informed about our visits.
6. Emergency Contact:
   • We have your contact information and an emergency contact on file. If any unexpected issues arise, we will reach out to you or your designated contact immediately.

By following these procedures, we ensure that your home remains secure and your privacy is respected while providing the best care for your pet.

Staying updated on best practices in pet care is essential to providing the highest quality of service. We prioritize continuous learning and professional development through several methods:

1. Professional Training and Certifications: We regularly participate in training programs and pursue certifications in pet care, animal behavior, and pet first aid. For example, we have completed pet first aid and CPR certification, which has equipped our team with the latest knowledge and techniques in the field.
2. Workshops and Seminars: We attend workshops, seminars, and conferences related to pet care and animal behavior. These events provide valuable insights from experts and allow us to stay informed about new developments and trends in the industry.
3. Industry Publications and Online Resources: We subscribe to reputable industry publications, and follow online resources, including blogs, forums, and social media groups dedicated to pet care. These sources offer current information, tips, and best practices from experienced professionals.
4. Networking with Other Professionals: We actively network with other pet care professionals, such as veterinarians, trainers, and fellow pet sitters. Sharing experiences and knowledge with peers helps us stay informed about best practices and emerging trends.
5. Continuing Education: We take advantage of online courses and webinars offered by organizations like the American Pet Professionals, Pet Sitters International, and the International Association of Canine Professionals. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from advanced training techniques to health and safety protocols.
6. Feedback and Reflection: We regularly seek feedback from clients and reflect on our own experiences to identify areas for improvement. This helps us continually refine our approach and stay aligned with the best practices in pet care.

By engaging in these activities, we ensure that we are always up-to-date with the latest advancements and best practices in pet care, allowing us to provide the best possible service to your pet.

In case of an emergency, we have a well-defined procedure to ensure the safety and well-being of your pet:

1. Assessment: The first step is to quickly and calmly assess the situation to determine the severity of the emergency. This helps us decide on the immediate actions required.
2. First Aid: We are trained in pet first aid, so if it’s a minor injury or condition that we can handle (like a small cut or mild heat exhaustion), we will administer first aid on the spot. We always carry a well-stocked pet first aid kit with us during walks and visits.
3. Veterinary Care: For more serious emergencies, we will immediately contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. WE ensure that We have your vet’s contact information and the closest emergency vet clinic’s details before starting any service.
4. Transportation: If necessary, we will transport your pet to the veterinary clinic as quickly and safely as possible. We are familiar with safe pet transportation methods to keep your pet calm and secure during the trip.
5. Communication: We will promptly contact you to inform you of the situation, the actions we are taking, and any instructions from the veterinarian. If we cannot reach you immediately, we will continue with the emergency protocol and keep trying to contact you.
6. Documentation: After the emergency is handled, we will document everything that happened, including the time of the incident, the actions taken, and any instructions or diagnosis from the veterinarian. This documentation will be provided to you for your records.
7. Follow-Up: We will stay with your pet until they are stable and ensure they are comfortable. We will also follow up with you and the vet to monitor your pet’s recovery and provide any additional care they may need.

By having a clear and structured emergency procedure, we ensure that your pet receives prompt and effective care in any situation, providing you with peace of mind.