Dog Sitting Port Hope

About: As most people on here, I'm one of those people who loves getting to know the non-verbal communication between humans and animals. They say so much with body language and their eyes, ears, tails and mouths. I think it's amazing. My goal is to get that light out of them. The light in their eyes. I want them to feel confident and protected. And, want them to know if they want fun, I'm in too. I have a 15 year old rescue Border-Collie Beagle mix with my partner. I helped her personality come out through trust, learning new things and building her confident in me so she could trust the world more too. I started working with her in 2021. Rosie is my partner's dog. She's 12. She used to be reactive. I was able to build her confidence. She did have a lot of stuggles and works a lot together. Now she isn't reactive. She has many eye drops and arthristis things to deal with. Our focus with her is to keep her experiences hapoy and diverse. In September 2023 to April 2024 I was helping out a professional dog walker. We did pack integration, reactive or skiddish dog integration and confidence building work. And we did fun dog park runs. I worked with him with his clients dogs, and I also had him teach me specific fearful dog training by working with my mother's dog who would cowar and bark exsessively at anyone that wasn't her parents. She is now confident off-leash woth my dogs and listens to come commands. She is also able to go to the dog park and run her zoomies. Something she didn't have the confidence to do before especially with non-mommy and daddy around. Lastly, my ex and I had a Toy Australian Shephard together. I helped for the first few months on puppy care once every 3 weeks for a week. (We were in different countries). And then I was with her all daytime by myself for 4-5 months straight. We did crate training, poaitive reinforcement, and so many games, tricks, and learnjng to keep that mind going. Positive reinforcement is my go-to. It isn't helpful with all dogs however. My positibe reinforcement is my starting point because it can built trust with enjoy fastest. I work from home. Leica is a rescue dog, and my home is her "place." She stays with my partner when I am dog-sitting. I prefer to spend multiple days with the pups I care for because it allows us to form a genuine relationship, rather than something superficial. It can be stressful for animals when their owners disappear. I appreciate having the flexibility for at-home support since I have the freedom to work my own hours while supporting small businesses and the tech industry. For my dog, she gets fed as soon as I wake up and then at 5 PM every day. The timing is important because she is restricted from food, and it stresses her out not knowing when to expect meals, so I maintain a consistent schedule. We walk twice a day for between 20 and 60 minutes each time. She has a couple of designated spots that are "hers only" because the Boston Terrier tends to bully the bigger dog (Leica), so we have established a few firm rules regarding the beds. Leica is uninterested in chewing many things. Her preference is for food items, and we take extra care to provide edible bones that are soft enough not to hurt her teeth. Additionally, I spend a considerable amount of time ensuring that the treats and food she receives do not harm her teeth or negatively impact her digestion. Since she has had pancreatitis, I also monitor the fat content of her treats and food closely. We engage in enrichment activities like hiding kibbles in towels, using puzzle toys, and teaching tricks. We have a few buttons that allow for communication, and we try various activities to keep the Border Collie’s mind engaged and the Beagle stimulated. For other dogs, I make an effort to learn from their parents about their favorite toys to figure out how to best play with them. If possible, I take them to an enclosed off-leash area to play chase, which helps gauge their comfort level with me and allows me to encourage their playful instincts. Building trust is essential. I also observe if they are ready to take treats from me, and I incorporate tricks to enhance our interactions. For pups that are more fearful, this provides valuable insight into their comfort zone and how much space they need. Beyond that, maintaining consistent feeding times, regular walks, and the type of play they enjoy will always form my foundation for care. For cats, I like to learn from the owner a bit about the cat's personality. Some cats may be affectionate one moment and then switch to distain and attacking the next, while others can be very cuddly. During housesitting, my goal is to ensure that the cat is happy with someone there to care for their food and general needs. If they want anything else, such as string toys or catnip play, I’m happy to provide that, given that the owners are okay with it.

“We cannot thank Lisa enough! Our dog Charlie’s got lots of issues as he’s a rescued and Lisa’s been absolutely amazing with him since the first visit. We definitely recommend her to anyone who needs a great petsitter!”

Aline G.

“Vanessa was so wonderful with our cats, Piper and Chewy. She sent us pictures and followed our feeding instructions perfectly. We felt really safe leaving them in her care and would again. Thank you Vanessa!”

Jennifer L.

About: Experience started from growing up with dogs and has evolved to over a decade of experience caring for friends and families’ pets while raising my own 3 rescue dogs. Previous customers have expressed gratitude for my communication skills while caring for their pet, which allows you to know your pet is safe and well (happy to provide text and picture updates!) I have full-time availability. I am able to offer flexible hours and to drive to location as I have my own vehicle which can safely transport pets. I prioritize safety with any pets’ care. By first collecting background information from the owner, you can be sure key information has been understood before I take responsibility for your pet. I am happy to accommodate any requests to ensure pets are safe, happy, and well-cared for.

About: Hey there! 🌟 I’m full of energy, super friendly, and I always have a stash of tasty treats ready to go. 🥳 I just love spending time with dogs! 🐾 I've had the pleasure of caring for two amazing pups: a boxer named Dave and a German terrier mix called Pito. Both have stolen my heart! 💖 With over a year and a half of experience as a veterinary assistant, I stay updated on the best ways to keep your furry friends happy and healthy. 🐶 My schedule is pretty flexible, so I'm available in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings. 🌞 I’d love to spend time teaching your dog a fun trick or two, and while it might take some time, I promise to give it my all. I can't wait to meet you and your pup soon! 🎉 When your pet is with me, they get love and attention from my entire family. 🥰 We make sure they have plenty of playtime, fresh food, and water, along with regular walks around the neighborhood. 🚶‍♀️ If I’m at your home, I’ll clean up after myself and provide daily updates—that way, you can relax knowing your pet is having a great time. 🏡 Looking forward to lots of cuddles and fun with your furry friend! 🐕💕 Thank you! 😊 Pet care is an amazing part of my daily routine 🐾, and I’m all in when it comes to making it my full-time job! During the weekdays, I usually have a more flexible schedule, which is great 😊. But on the weekends, it really picks up since so many pet owners enjoy a little break while their furry friends are in my care 🐶🐱. I love being able to make their pet's day a little brighter! ☀️ I constantly will tell them at the meeting and right before they leave that I will be sending daily videos and pictures under this Rover app and they're primary social media. Always making them aware that their pet is under good hands. And they're having the best time while they're away, so they don't stress out.

About: I was born into a home with pets. My parents, my grandparents, aunts and uncles, all had pets. It was the most normal thing in the world to have a dog or cat cuddle up to me while I played with my toys, watched movies, or did my homework. It was the best kind of life and I am honoured everyday to have lived in the presence of such amazing animals. I couldn’t imagine my life without a pet. Up until this past March, I had a cat named August. We would go everywhere together, on car rides, camping, even sometimes on walks. He would get excited to run, and probably irritated that he could outrun me, but mostly he loved the car. I had always wanted a dog, but I’m waiting until I own a house, for security and space. In the meantime, I melt into other people’s dogs. I love how excited they get to see me, the love they experience in me before they even know me is overwhelming, and it makes my heart melt. I once had a passenger tip me a large tip because her dog, who hates people, loved me. It makes me feel a little impatient to have one of my own but I’m not there yet. So, until then, I am looking to spend time with, caring, for other people’s dogs. I welcome the opportunity to be a part of a dog’s world, even if only briefly, and hopefully I melt into them as they do into me. I am an artist (singer/songwriter and writer of prose) and an Uber driver. My rates are what they are so I can take the time needed to spend with your pet, and focus far less attention on work. Tending to the care and attention of another’s animal would be an excellent inclusion into my artistic process. As an Uber driver, I can take the time off, so I can focus entirely on the fur baby in my care. We will go on walks, enjoy each other’s company, and eat according to their set schedule. I am flexible and willing to meet the special demands of your little one. I will ensure any physical aids your dog requires, from medications to physical supports, will be handled with the utmost care.