Alex S.
Glasgow
What can I say? I just love dogs 🐕
Pet care experience
Ofqual Level 3 certified I've grown up with dogs my whole life. My parents found Chiefy the stray Alsation before they had any human kids. Chiefy was a gentle giant and had a lovely nature and I was blessed to share the first 12 years of my life with him before he passed. We took a doggy break as we couldn't imagine another dog like him, so I got a little black rescue cat called Panther. Panther ruled the home quite frankly, however when Molly the Black Labrador puppy came along, he eventually learned to live in harmony with his new little (big) sister. Fast forward to present day and I recently fostered a rescue greyhound called Jim. Jim was a very complicated big lad. He had a lot of fear based anxieties which presented themself as aggression, but over a number of months, I worked with him along with an excellent behaviourist (Clare Russell at clareteachingdogs) and he has now eventually been placed in a home where he has adjusted well and is happy and settled. Jim was a steep learning curve for me as he arrived almost completely undomesticated, in quite a poor condition and totally shut down with some minor injuries. However once he found his voice he became a barky barky boy and we then had to work on finding a happy balance. He learned to walk well, play, follow a routine and some basic commands and most rewardingly and selfishly for me, he learned to accept affection. He was a huge challenge, but an absolute joy as well and I'll forever be proud of the progress we made together. I often now dog sit Kala the greyhound who lives nearby (she was Jim's girlfriend before he moved out) and she has stayed at the longest for 10 days with me. We have no problems and she is always very relaxed here. Currently I have no dog of my own and am considering fostering another greyhound (I have a soft spot for them after Jim), but I really love all dogs and through Jim I've met lots of local dogs and chat and have a little play about with them if we cross paths.
Reviews
Alex was great with Echo! He kept us updated with photos and what she was up to while staying with him!
Alex was absolutely brilliant 10/10! We were put completely at ease with regular updates on social media and via the Rover site. He went above and beyond making sure our Dog Albus was spoilt, taken out numerous times a day, rarely left alone and was also bought toys by Alex for his stay. Will definitely be using him again.
Cooper had a great day with Alex who provided us with regular updates. We were very comfortable leaving Cooper with Alex as we were confident from meeting Alex that Cooper was in good hands and would be very well cared for. We will definitely be re-booking.
Louie loves staying with his holiday human as always, proper home from home 😊
About Alex S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I am in a ground floor flat, so stairs aren't an issue here. I have a garden outside, but it is not enclosed. I won't let a dog off lead if it is in my care regardless of its recall skills, so any time we are outside, the dog will be on a lead. In my home, I am very relaxed. I prefer to let the dog be where it finds itself most comfortable. Whether that's on the floor, on the couch, on a chair, on the bed, on my lap etc I really don't mind. However if you specifically don't want your dog on the furniture, I'm happy to comply with your requests. If your dog likes lots of cuddles and play, I'm delighted to oblige, but if your dog is a bit more aloof I'm also happy to give it the space it needs. I don't believe in forcing affection. Dogs are entitled to their personal space and I'm pretty good at reading whether a dog wants attention or not. Obviously I will be working too, so constant playing won't be possible, but for more demanding dogs, I can easily give them enough attention without ignoring them. I don't believe in punishment of a dog to force compliance/obedience, so will not agree to comply with techniques such as shouting, squirting with water etc. Happy to walk dogs on a lead or a harness and have good experience of both. Also happy to work with a muzzle if required. Jim the greyhound had to wear a muzzle due to his fear aggression, so I'm not phased by these situations. When booking with a time variance, I'll amend the booking request to the earlier drop off time and later pick up time. This takes pressure off of you to rush to drop off/pick up and helps keep me organised and prepared.
Home
Information Alex S. would like to know about your pet
It would be good to know in advance a bit about your dogs personality......if they are timid, cheeky, sleepyheads or jumping jacks. All are fine by me, but it is just helpful to know in advance before we meet. How active or inactive your dog is outside would be good to know too as it means I can plan out a schedule that your dog enjoys in advance. Any little quirks or stipulations feel free to let me know beforehand too. There is very little that will put me off taking a dog, so don't feel if your dog is a diva or like things on a set way that it will phase me. I'd rather know so I can make your dog feel welcome and relaxed.
A typical day
There are loads of interesting places for dogs to walk near me. For dogs less able there is plenty of flat grass areas nearby, right outside my house and across the road a couple of minutes walk there are some grassy football friends. For dogs who can walk a little farther, there is a park about 10 minutes walk away and also a secluded walking park that is popular with dog walkers if your dog likes a bit of doggy interaction. For the adventure dogs, there are the woods next to the earlier mentioned park that have nature trails and plenty of places and things to sniff and explore. So really any type of dog can have the walk that suits them with me.
Services
Alex can host
Alex can watch in your home
Availability
I work from home full time Mon-Fri and can take a dog out for a toilet break in my morning and afternoon breaks and a longer walk at lunchtime. I can do a walk after I finish work too at around 4pm and any time after that.
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About Alex S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I am in a ground floor flat, so stairs aren't an issue here. I have a garden outside, but it is not enclosed. I won't let a dog off lead if it is in my care regardless of its recall skills, so any time we are outside, the dog will be on a lead. In my home, I am very relaxed. I prefer to let the dog be where it finds itself most comfortable. Whether that's on the floor, on the couch, on a chair, on the bed, on my lap etc I really don't mind. However if you specifically don't want your dog on the furniture, I'm happy to comply with your requests. If your dog likes lots of cuddles and play, I'm delighted to oblige, but if your dog is a bit more aloof I'm also happy to give it the space it needs. I don't believe in forcing affection. Dogs are entitled to their personal space and I'm pretty good at reading whether a dog wants attention or not. Obviously I will be working too, so constant playing won't be possible, but for more demanding dogs, I can easily give them enough attention without ignoring them. I don't believe in punishment of a dog to force compliance/obedience, so will not agree to comply with techniques such as shouting, squirting with water etc. Happy to walk dogs on a lead or a harness and have good experience of both. Also happy to work with a muzzle if required. Jim the greyhound had to wear a muzzle due to his fear aggression, so I'm not phased by these situations. When booking with a time variance, I'll amend the booking request to the earlier drop off time and later pick up time. This takes pressure off of you to rush to drop off/pick up and helps keep me organised and prepared.
Home
Information Alex S. would like to know about your pet
It would be good to know in advance a bit about your dogs personality......if they are timid, cheeky, sleepyheads or jumping jacks. All are fine by me, but it is just helpful to know in advance before we meet. How active or inactive your dog is outside would be good to know too as it means I can plan out a schedule that your dog enjoys in advance. Any little quirks or stipulations feel free to let me know beforehand too. There is very little that will put me off taking a dog, so don't feel if your dog is a diva or like things on a set way that it will phase me. I'd rather know so I can make your dog feel welcome and relaxed.
A typical day
There are loads of interesting places for dogs to walk near me. For dogs less able there is plenty of flat grass areas nearby, right outside my house and across the road a couple of minutes walk there are some grassy football friends. For dogs who can walk a little farther, there is a park about 10 minutes walk away and also a secluded walking park that is popular with dog walkers if your dog likes a bit of doggy interaction. For the adventure dogs, there are the woods next to the earlier mentioned park that have nature trails and plenty of places and things to sniff and explore. So really any type of dog can have the walk that suits them with me.
Location
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Alex S.
Glasgow