FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
DOG WALKING
DO YOU OFFER PACK (GROUP) WALKS?
At the moment I do not offer pack walks. A pack (or group) walk is when dog walkers pick up dogs from different locations/households and take them all on a walk together, usually at a park. I specialize in private neighborhood walks which are beneficial for all dogs, but especially great for dogs that don't do well in pack settings or have car anxiety. Private walks are for single or multiple dogs from the same household. If you have multiple dogs in your home, they will all be walked together but it is still considered a private walk.
MY DOG PULLS ON THE LEASH. WHAT TYPE OF COLLAR/HARNESS DO YOU RECOMMEND?
I recommend a Y harness that has a leash hook on the back. Harnesses are better for your dog's health and better for your overall control. I do not recommend pinch collars or shock collars.
MY DOG IS HUMAN AGGRESSIVE/DOG AGGRESSIVE. WILL YOU WALK THEM?
Dog/human aggressive means that your dog has caused (or wants to cause) physical harm to another dog or a human. If your dog has caused physical harm, I recommend you contact an animal behaviorist to work through the issue(s) before you hire a dog walker.
MY DOG IS REACTIVE TO TRIGGERS, WILL YOU WALK THEM?
Reactive means that your dog reacts (gets excited, pulls on the leash, lunges, becomes stressed, fearful, barks) when in the presence of a trigger. Triggers can be anything from another dog, cars, squirrels, strangers, to skateboards etc. Reactive dogs are very common and I have experience managing reactivity and avoiding triggers. To be clear, reactive dogs have not caused physical harm (in the past or present) to other dogs or people.
CAN YOU WALK MY DOG OFF-LEASH?
No, this is not a service I offer.
WILL YOU BE TRANSPORTING MY DOG IN YOUR CAR?
I offer private neighborhood walks within your neighborhood. I will come to your house to provide service but I will not be transporting your dog anywhere unless there is an emergency that requires transportation in my vehicle.
WILL YOU WALK MY CAT ON A LEASH OUTSIDE?
Sure! I would love to walk your cat outside if they are already leash trained.
PET SITTING
WHAT IS DROP-IN PET SITTING?
Drop-in pet sitting is a great option for animals that feel most comfortable in their own home. I will drop-in during the scheduled time frame, give your pet lots of love, and complete any other requested tasks. You'll be able to request a time frame for arrival and a specific amount of time for me to stay. Most clients schedule 2-3 visits per day depending on how social their pet is. For details on pricing, time slots, and what's included, please visit my Pet Sitting page.
I do not offer boarding or overnight services.
WHAT TYPES OF ANIMALS DO YOU CARE FOR?
I take care of many different types of animals! In addition to dogs, in the past I have cared for small animals such as cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, chickens, bearded dragons, and fish. If you have an exotic pet please feel free to contact me to discuss options. Unfortunately, I cannot provide services for spiders or snakes.
GENERAL FAQ
CAN I BOOK APPOINTMENTS ONLINE?
Yes, you will be able to book appointments online once we have completed a Meet & Greet. After we meet and have both decided that I am the right fit for your pet, I will set up your online account and give you full access to your pet profile.
WILL YOU SEND ME UPDATES?
Yes! You will get updates with details from each visit as well as photos!
WHAT IS YOUR PET CARE PHILOSOPHY?
I strive for radical compassion. Animals are very sensitive to energy and I want to respect their autonomy while also keeping them safe, healthy and well cared for. I believe in force free care and positive reinforcement.
DO YOU PROVIDE A KEY LOCKBOX?
No, at this time I do not provide lockboxes. If you would prefer to keep your key in a lockbox then it is up to you to provide it. However, your feedback is always appreciated and I would love to know if this is something my clients would like in the future.
WHAT IS YOUR KEY POLICY?
Keys are kept in a secure location until they are needed for the visit. Each key is coded in such a way that makes it impossible for anyone to match up the key codes with an address. Usually clients prefer that I keep their key on file to make it easier for future bookings.
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELATION POLICY?
Please notify me 24 hours ahead of time when needing to cancel an appointment.
ARE YOU INSURED AND BONDED?
Yes! I am insured and bonded through Pet Sitter Associates LLC.