Alyssa D.
Bedminster, NJ
Services
Alyssa can host
Alyssa can watch in your home
Availability
I’m a child therapist for children in the area, but I have windows of availability throughout the day. I mainly work with children for a span of 3-5 hours in the afternoon, so I am often available morning, midday, evening and late-night for pets. And of course that means I could be home a lot to care for animals who board with us.
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About Alyssa D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Visits to your home- I’ve been a nanny on and off for years so I’m comfortable and respectful in other peoples’ homes. I’m definitely okay with clean-up of any pet-related messes. Boarding- My boyfriend and I are both excited to host a small-to-medium, lower-energy dog in our second-story condo. We live with our 5 year old chihuahua mix, Malarkey, who gets along with other dogs but would need a meet and greet to gauge compatibility. I can follow your dog’s schedule, but what we’re used to is a 45 minute morning walk, play and cuddle time while I do some chores around the house, and another short walk before I go to work in the early afternoon. My boyfriend gets home from work after 5pm so there is limited time that a dog would be left alone. We go for a family walk around 6 and settle down together. Then there is a final potty outing. Your dog and my dog would be separated when we are not there to supervise. You can supply a crate if you choose, otherwise, dogs will be kept to separate rooms. Safety always comes first.
Home
Information Alyssa D. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know about any anxieties or fears, in addition to any challenging behaviors in your dog. It would be great to know a bit about their routine as relevant to the timing of my visit. Let me know if pesticides have been applied in your neighborhood and I will avoid them.
A typical day
My dog and I walk A LOT, although we don’t often get that far from home. We are a “stop and smell the roses” family. :) I consider the walk to be a wonderful enrichment opportunity for a dog to do what comes naturally to them and make sense of their world through their senses. This means allowing plenty of time to sniff! Malarkey in particular benefits from time to stand still and observe his surroundings. Malarkey also gets positive training all throughout the day as his socialization is a lifelong process. We find the beauty in our journey of raising a reactive dog. We have learned to receive his communication and value it, whether or not his needs are convenient to us. We have come a long way, thanks to Malarkey. Between socializing, snacking, and playing passionately with his most beloved toys, Malarkey is a busy dog who sleeps deeply during naptime! That’s a glimpse into our family’s day-to-day…But of course I follow clients’ schedules to keep a dog in their consistent routine because I see how safe Malarkey feels in his own routines.
Location
Bedminster, NJ
Pets
Alyssa D. has Star Sitter status
The Star Sitter program highlights responsive sitters who deliver highly rated care and have a history of listing accurate availability and preferences, making it easier for pet parents to find the best care for their pets.
Deeply invested in ethical care
Pet care experience
I’m a very lucky dog mom to Malarkey, who has taught me more than I ever could have imagined. Adopted with a mystery of a history (though it includes getting a long scar across his body and a blinding injury to one eye), Malarkey showed signs of fear reactivity early on. While many online sources instruct us to punish and dominate our dogs, my dog needed a psychologically validating approach. Thankfully it didn’t take long for me to find a community of trainers and owners who have taught me the effective and respectful positive dog training techniques that brought my relationship with my boy to a new level. Life is good with Malarkey and I am eager to expand my knowledge and experience working with all types of dogs- especially the skittish little underdogs like mine. That is why I’m coming back to the pet-sitting career that I know well from my late-childhood/early-adulthood days. I understand a good support system is everything and it’s an honor to be a part of a fellow pet parents’. NOTE: due to Malarkey’s insecurities, we can only board low-medium energy SMALL dogs, or low energy MEDIUM dogs. Malarkey is not aggressive, but reactive. He loves to play with small dogs at the dog park but gets overstimulated by intense energy and will “yell” at those dogs to calm down. (Sigh.)
Reviews
Incredible as always! Alyssa is attentive and takes the time to get to know our boys and all their quirks. Will definitely be rebooking with her in the future :)
Alyssa is incredible! So attentive and great with our boys. This is already the second time we’ve booked with her. :)
Alyssa is wonderful. My Lulu had never left us before so I was a little worried. Alyssa was so patient and took such a good care of her. I'm so happy I find Alyssa who I feel comfortable to leave my dog to. I have no doubt I will choose her if I need sitter again. Thank you so much Alyssa!
Alyssa took great care of Oreo. She was patient, gentle, and punctual. She kept us informed on how Oreo was doing so we could feel comfortable being away from Oreo. We will definitely ask her to sit Oreo again!
About Alyssa D.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Visits to your home- I’ve been a nanny on and off for years so I’m comfortable and respectful in other peoples’ homes. I’m definitely okay with clean-up of any pet-related messes. Boarding- My boyfriend and I are both excited to host a small-to-medium, lower-energy dog in our second-story condo. We live with our 5 year old chihuahua mix, Malarkey, who gets along with other dogs but would need a meet and greet to gauge compatibility. I can follow your dog’s schedule, but what we’re used to is a 45 minute morning walk, play and cuddle time while I do some chores around the house, and another short walk before I go to work in the early afternoon. My boyfriend gets home from work after 5pm so there is limited time that a dog would be left alone. We go for a family walk around 6 and settle down together. Then there is a final potty outing. Your dog and my dog would be separated when we are not there to supervise. You can supply a crate if you choose, otherwise, dogs will be kept to separate rooms. Safety always comes first.
Home
Information Alyssa D. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know about any anxieties or fears, in addition to any challenging behaviors in your dog. It would be great to know a bit about their routine as relevant to the timing of my visit. Let me know if pesticides have been applied in your neighborhood and I will avoid them.
A typical day
My dog and I walk A LOT, although we don’t often get that far from home. We are a “stop and smell the roses” family. :) I consider the walk to be a wonderful enrichment opportunity for a dog to do what comes naturally to them and make sense of their world through their senses. This means allowing plenty of time to sniff! Malarkey in particular benefits from time to stand still and observe his surroundings. Malarkey also gets positive training all throughout the day as his socialization is a lifelong process. We find the beauty in our journey of raising a reactive dog. We have learned to receive his communication and value it, whether or not his needs are convenient to us. We have come a long way, thanks to Malarkey. Between socializing, snacking, and playing passionately with his most beloved toys, Malarkey is a busy dog who sleeps deeply during naptime! That’s a glimpse into our family’s day-to-day…But of course I follow clients’ schedules to keep a dog in their consistent routine because I see how safe Malarkey feels in his own routines.
Alyssa D.
Bedminster, NJ