5.0

Within my own home boundaries are a little relaxed. Animals are allowed on the sofa although there is a large pet bet available also. If you have a clear rule of not allowing pets on the furniture then this would be adhered to. I am flexible with allowing animals upstairs and on beds. I work upstairs from my office so most dogs come upstairs with me during the day and chose to spend their time with me in my office. It terms of dogs on the bed, I believe there has to be a clear boundary to promote human to animal hierarchy. (Having formally owned a 54KG bullmastiff, I needed him to know that I was in charge in this house, otherwise you have a huge disobedient dog) that said lots of smaller dogs who normally sleep on their owners beds are allowed on the bed, if this is something they are used to. Dogs would be walked a minimum of twice a day and they have access to a rear garden which is totally enclosed. I am able to provide health care as cared for my own dog for almost 10 years who needed to have medication and a prescription diet. Whilst caring for your fur babies, I will commit to not caring for any other pets, I don't even agree to do meet and greet visits whilst I have your animals. This means that whilst I have the capacity to have 3 dogs, I will only do so if they are from the same family or used to spending a lot of time together. Your animals will never feel the need to compete with other dogs they have never met before. Within your own home, the boundaries of how your animals are cared for would be followed. On these occasions if you allow your dogs on the bed, then this would be followed to promote routine. Again any dog would be walked a minimum of twice a day although for both services extra walks can be discussed. In both scenario's your pets would only be left for a maximum of a few hours if I was needing to go grocery shopping or such like. I have also cared for dogs overnight who have separation anxiety and cannot be left and am more than willing to accommodate such requests.

I am lucky enough to live near two huge farmers fields that also have a public footpath in the middle so the day starts with an appropriate walk for your dogs age and ability. This might be a 90 minute walk if they can handle that or it may be a short 20 minute walk. For senior dogs who can manage it it would be a short 10 minute walk round the block to enable them to sniff and relieve themselves. Then home for an hour before breakfast time, to allow their internal organs to settle and relax and reduce the risk of bloat. Depending on the dog they may want to sleep, most generally want to relax for this hour between walking and breakfast. After breakfast they would have a rest to allow for digestion before mental stimulation with toys. Your dog would have full access to the back garden and I have a selection of toys here for them to play with. After work they would again be taken on a short walk to relieve themselves, normally a quick 15 minutes round the block. Evening time would again be a much longer walk depending on their needs and would be a repeat of pre-breakfast before back home to rest and then dinner. Depending on the timings of food, some dogs are fed prior to their evening walk especially in the summer in which case I will wait at least an hour after feeding before walking. If your dogs can go off lead then the local field is a safe place for this. It also enables mental stimulation for dogs who are food orientated as I can hide treats for them to seek out.