5.0

I have had experience with dogs of all sizes, dogs that pull, dogs that are shy, dogs with leash aggression or otherwise poor impulse control. I have experience with all types of equipment from flat collars to gentle leaders to prong collars to Flexi leashes -- whatever your dog needs to have a safe & calm walk. I prefer to walk dogs on the equipment that they are used to, but if your dog is an excessive puller or otherwise feels unsafe for me or for themselves then I may suggest different equipment for them. Dogs must be house-trained and crate-trained and must be good with other dogs. I work from home so dogs will rarely be in crates for any extended period, but on the occasion I do need to leave for some reason they need to be capable of being left alone in a crate for a while. I will take dogs of any age, but they must be house-trained -- if you have a small puppy that still requires house training please let me know and we can discuss options.

I want your dogs to do what makes them happy! I live in an area with multiple walking trails and lakes so there's plenty of good walking to be had and I have a fenced yard so (weather-permitting) we will spend as much time outside as possible. I have some agility equipment that can be set up in a pinch if your dog is keen on running over jumps and thru tunnels and of course there's always fetch and playing with other dogs to be done. If the weather is uncooperative, then I have a large space in the basement for dogs to roam and play and plenty of toys and puzzles to keep them occupied. I prefer to give dogs a variety of options and let them decide what to do on their own -- some will bring me a toy to play with, some will want to play my dog, some will just curl up on a bed or the couch. In general I only intervene if the dog is getting into trouble, playing too rough, or otherwise needs assistance of some kind.