5.0

I’ve grown up in a family that has always had dogs and cats, so animals have always been a big part of my life. I’ve regularly looked after dogs for family and friends and absolutely love having their company around the home. Over the years, I’ve had experience looking after dogs of all different ages, personalities and needs. I’ve cared for senior dogs and have experience giving medication, including looking after a dog with severe allergies who needed oral medication. I’ve also looked after an anxious Dachshund who needed a little extra patience and reassurance, especially when out on walks. I really enjoy getting to know a dog’s individual personality and making sure they feel safe, happy and comfortable in my care. Our family Cocker Spaniel has also taught me a lot about caring for dogs with more complex needs. He’s had quite a challenging start to life, including a blood transfusion and hip replacement at just three years old, and he now has arthritis. Because of this, I’m very aware of the importance of keeping him calm, managing his activity and making sure he doesn’t get too excited and accidentally injure himself. He also has some resource-guarding behaviours, partly due to his medication and the fact that his food needs to be carefully managed. This has taught me to be patient, stay calm and understand the reasons behind a dog’s behaviour, while also setting kind but clear boundaries. For me, looking after a dog is about much more than just feeding them and taking them for walks. I want them to feel comfortable, cared for and at home while they’re with me. I understand that every dog is different, and I’m more than happy to give them the patience, attention and extra care they need. Most importantly, I’ll treat every dog as if they were my own. 🐾