Profile image
Profile image

Christina & Alan D.

Milford, PA

5.0 out of 5 stars
•122 reviews
Image 0
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
114PhotosView All

Rated #1 in Milford Dog Gone Happy!

Pet care experience

100+ 5-Star Rover Reviews, 100+ 5-Star Google Reviews & Getting Even Better!! Please place your dog(s) in the care of the #1 Host on the Mountain! CLEAN HOME, HEATED TILE FLOORS, FIREPLACE, COMFY & COZY, CALM & LOVING ATMOSPHERE... OH, AND TONS OF TREATS! Boarding Requirements for a happy and safe experience. No Exceptions to below: #1 Vaccinations must be current and to include Bordetella aka Kennel Cough; and on some form of flea & tick program; #2 MUST BE CRATE TRAINED. All dogs will be crated at night for their safety while we are asleep. If you haven't crated in a while we suggest that you give your dog a refresher course if booking an overnight stay so they are not suffering overnight; #3 MUST BE POTTY-TRAINED. Includes excited/submissive peeing (unless its a young puppy less than 4 months old), incontinence nor marking. Unfortunately, we cannot make any acceptions; #4 Social with other humans & dogs. NO BITERS, REACTIVITY OR AGGRESSION. We have our own dogs & host more that one guest dog. This must be ok with you. All dogs must get along together as we are a free roam environment; #5 We can not take dogs with any form of anxiety. Since we are a free roam environment we MUST be sure that your dog is naturally well-adjusted or BALANCED when you are not present. This is to avoid any fighting amongst dogs, barking, whining, incurring injuries due to breaking out of crates at night, and/or biting of handlers. A calm dog is a mentally healthy dog and a much better fit for our home; #6 Meet n' Greet. & 1/2 Daycare Trial. Special arrangements can be made for out of towners. NEW NEWS: We have been making things happen. Check it out: 1. July/2022: 1 acre will be completely fenced in. More outdoor space to enjoy. 2. Fall/2020: An enormous 1500 sq foot indoor doggie playroom with all the bells & whistles. Comfort cots, puppy play pens, toys, tv, training area. 3. Spring/2019: Added an Agility Course to "get that energy out" by exercising your dog's mind n body to hop through, jump over, go under and cross over to stimulate their minds. 4. Fall/2018: Installed a 20x40x6 ft secure outdoor exercise pen for your dog to run around and catch some rays or sit under a shade tree, watch nature and enjoy the breeze. For PET SITTING scroll down to Boarding & Other Services below. TRAINING INFO: Live easy with you dog and free yourself of any stress and embarrassment. Want to stop common problems like pulling on leash, counter surfing, licking dishes in the dishwasher, jumping on guests, rushing the door when the doorbell rings, lunging at other dogs while out and about, etc. Teach your dog obedience with on or off leash training. I've trained under ABC's of Dog Training in FL for obedience as well as Beth Bradley, NJ, Larry Krohn, PakMasters, TN, Ed Pribyliski, NJ & dog trainer to the Stars Richard Heinz, The Miami Dog Whisperer, Miami, FL. So, if you are having these issues or if you've added a new addition to your family or thinking about doing so start their new life right with proper training. It's so nice to bring your mannered dog with you any where you go & be complimented on how well they behaved. Get them trained while you're on vacation. If interested, please contact me for details. I'll be glad to help. Boarding & Other Services: I don't know about most but for me my dogs are PRICELESS! They are the children I never got a chance to have. Seeing a low rate on this site can be very appealing but I always wonder with the trade off is....what's the risk I place my dogs in to save the few bucks? Let's take for example our fee for an adult for an overnight stay. It comes out to be only $1.95/hour with 24 hour supervision (including cameras) & stimulating activity and socialization with other dogs in a home environment where they roam throughout the first floor and new play room (Fall/2020) get to lay down with us on the leather couch or hang out on the patio in the backyard just like being in their own home. So I ask you what do you RISK by choosing an even CHEAP price vs. a FAIR price for your peace of mind? Leaving your dog in someone's care requires more than them just "liking" dogs. That person SHOULD BE QUALIFIED SO THAT YOU HAVE PIECE OF MIND. Consider these points when placing value on our services vs. everyone else: 1. Do they have insurance if your dog gets sick or hurt while you are away? We do. It was important for me to buy Rover Insurance to protect all my guests. 2. Do they have a vast amount of experience caring & handling dogs? We do. Over 40 years. 3. Have they handled a dog in an emergency crisis? We have and the dog survived the medical emergency. 4. Does that party understand how a dog typically thinks? I do, I am a seasoned Trainer in Obedience & Aggression. 5. Could they protect your dog while on a walk if they encountered a threatening animal? We certainly could. 6. What will they be doing to keep your dog engaged while you are gone? We'll be working on socialization skills, brain games, practicing manners and touch sensitivity. 6. Do they live in a calm environment? We do, our home is drama-free and so is the block we live on. 7. Do they have reliable transportation? We do. 8. Is the home clean (free of odor, fleas & ticks)? We maintain a very clean home. This is not my hobby nor a way to make an occasionally extra buck. This is my full time profession. I reinvest in myself for the good of my clients by: Going to continued educational industry seminars; Joining industry groups and; Practicing what I've been taught. Adding that to being Ranked & Rated # 1 in Milford with over 100 positive Rover reviews and over 40 on Google by our peers and with the number of excellent, real client testimonials I really believe it's what sets me far apart from others. So with that I thank you for your considering us to care for your dog(s). Services & Rates: All Services below include Rover's Protection Package Visit link for details. https://www.rover.com/insurance/ Puppy Rate (1 yr or less) +$5 to any service - Puppies require more supervision, more bathroom breaks, cleaning up of accidents, classes in manners, more entertainment and will have crying bouts at bedtime. When they have accidents it will require washing their bedding & cleaning areas around the home with cleaning products, towel usage and laundering per incident. Overnight Stay In My Home Adult Rate. See above about puppies. $47 per overnight ($1.95/hr. 24 hr stay starts from time of scheduled Drop Off) $24 per Additional Dog Rate Holiday Rate Adult Dog, Add $5 per day (Applies 2 days before any Holiday, the Holiday itself and 2 days after any Holiday) Day Care In My Home Adult Rate: (See note above about puppies) Full Day: $37 (from 4 hrs up to 8 hrs) $19 Full Day Additional Dog Rste Holiday Rate: Add $5 (see when Holiday Rates apply above) ½ Day Daycare: $30 (4 hrs or less) ½ Day Additional Dog: $15 Holiday Rate Adult Dog: Add $5 (Applies 2 days before any Holiday, the Holiday itself and 2 days after any Holiday) LATE FEES: $10 per hour. We schedule every 15 mins and need to settle in each visitor not to mention others may need to be somewhere ASAP so please for all reasons be on time for drop offs & pick ups. Thanks for that. Drop-Ins Adult Rate: (See above note regarding puppies) Traveling to your home to either Walk and/or Feed, Play and Clean Up any accidents. (10 mile radius from my home in Conashaugh Lakes, 30 min visits) $24 per visit $12 Additional Dog Rate Holiday Rate: Add $5 (Applies 2 days before any Holiday, the Holiday itself and 2 days after any Holiday) Overnight Stay in Your Home Adult Rate: (See note regarding puppies) $75 per overnight (12 hr stay starts from time of Arrival) $25 per Additional Dog Rate $85 Holiday Rate Adult Dog (Applies 2 days before any Holiday, the Holiday itself and 2 days after any Holiday) Bath, Brush & Blow: $50 Dog Park Trip: $30 (2 hrs) , $15 Additional Dog Rate. Covers transport to and from NJ dog park, supervision while at play, potty clean up, towel usage, water and treats. We love & host all breeds but Akitas, Rotties, Pits & Dobies steal our hearts. They get such a bad rap & that prejudice will change the more we in the dog world continue to educated people how wonderful they truly are. Sitter's Beliefs & Practices I have a soft spot for all creatures but my love for dogs wins hands down. Dogs have feelings & are smart. For all the love that dogs give they should never suffer-- not one day in their lives. There is something about dogs that makes me melt-- maybe its their innocence, their vulnerability, their loyalty despite how they've been treated or their forgiveness...maybe its all of it? I don't see them as dogs I see them as children who have a hard time communicating. Dogs need to be respected, understood & taken care of. They didn't select their owners or living conditions. We all have a responsibility to keep them safe, raise them right & keep them with us until God decides its time for them to go to Heaven. If you can't do these things for them then don't own one! If your give us your permission we will take them for the ride and for a nominal fee will take them on a Dog Park trip. * See Rate above. I am Pro Adoption. We support the efforts of Mountain Rottie Rescue & Labs4Rescue, (L4R) & St. Hubert's, NJ. I am active on Facebook when helping to place dogs & have been successful with the help of groups we know. Visit & LIKE US on Facebook Dog Gone Happy Milford, Pa to view past clients. Why I love dog sitting... I have been a dog lover my whole life. I can't bare to see an animal of any kind let alone dogs get hurt or deliberately abused. I am all about providing a safe sanctuary for them & to provide love whether they are ours or not. I am here to build trust & provide a wonderful experience so that they are eager to come back & stay again & again. DOG TRAINING: I'm a seasoned Dog Trainer. I earned my title under the tutelage of John Toutloff, owner of ABC's of Dog Training, North Lauderdale, Fla. Working with dogs who have obedience & aggression issues are most of who I train. PET SITTING: We've cared for all sorts of dogs--from those young to old, feisty to feeble, those who are on special diets and even those who avoid taking their medication (yes, we can administer their injections too). My Pups: Super sweet, 5 yr old docile male Rottie, an older, beautifully balanced female Yellow Labrador/Golden (Goldador) and a femal Rottie runt with a spring in her step at 3yrs old. They are not yard dogs. They are trained but seriously SPOILED!!! Blue Buffalo, raw foods, homemade chicken soup & vitamins, morning massages (zen time) & monthly baths all to keep them strong & afford them a chance to live a long, happy & comfortable life. They have the freedom of the first floor in our home & they walk off-leash and they love to go bye-bye in our Designated Doggie SUV especially to the Dog Park. ACCOMMODATIONS: My home is large & can accommodate up to 8 additional guests. Please be sure this is OK with you. We live on 1.46 acres in a gated community with lakes & lots of space to walk. Our block is on a secluded cul-de-sac with a ball field were we walk 5 times a day. About Meet & Greets: Objective: To determine if a good fit. A proper introduction is key to success. Please schedule a date & time at least a few days prior to your pup's stay. Typically speaking we have a 99% success rate, however there are times when pups (or their parents) are not a good match with our pups or practices. Out of town? We can accept your dog without a Meet & Greet, however if your dog does not gel well your dog will be kept in a sectioned off area of my home, typically the kitchen. After you depart & things quiet down again we will re-attempt a formal introduction outside & go for another pack walk & that most often does the trick. If this does not work I will make a determination whether to continue working with your pup on socialization skills or ultimately keep them sectioned off in the kitchen with me for the remainder of their stay.) SOCIALIZATION: Must be well socialized with other dogs and people. *Note: Socialization is the best practice for their well-being. It is especially important for successful Meet & Greets. The best way to socialize is taking your dog(s) to the Dog Park so they can learn the skills they need to acclimate to other dog(s) while in a safe and contained area. This will help them immensely when being hosted.

Reviews

E R.
Dog Boarding • Oct 13, 2023
Profile image

Excellent

Barbara T.
Drop-In Visits • Aug 29, 2023
Profile image

We needed someone to come to our house and take care of our dog Gryffin, a Bernese Mt. Dog and our cat , Chowder a Bengal Cat. Gryffin does not board well , he gets very stressed not being in his own home so we hired Christina to come to our house twice a day for 8 days. A few days before we left for vacation she came over to meet Gryffin and Chowder and of course they warmed up to her right away. Actually, Gryffin wouldn't leave her alone he kept resting his head on her lap. She spent well over an hour talking with me and playing with them and getting to know them . Everything worked out great!!! When we got home our pets were happy, not stressed and well taken care of. If you ever need someone to come to your house and take care of your pets I highly recommend Christina ! I will definitely be calling on her again in the future to take care of our fur babies

Jeffrey K.
Dog Boarding • Jul 10, 2023
Profile image

Jasper had a wonderful time

Alexander W.
Dog Boarding • May 17, 2023
Profile image

Christina is an expert in dogs! We were so impressed by the knowledge she showed in the way she arranged for our dog met her dogs, so that the boarding experience would be positive. Our dog is pretty submissive and soft, and doesn't love being away from her family, but Christina was the right person in the right home for her. The full-fenced yard is a big plus.

About Christina & Alan D.

Communication

44 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in under an hour
100% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

40 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

We offer a free roam environment while we host in my home so that your dog feels as comfortable with us as it does at your own home. If we are staying at your home then I will care for your pets as you instruct. If checking in or taking your dog for a walk I take them to a safe location where they will enjoy exploring and doing their business.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has 2 dogs
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Information Christina & Alan D. would like to know about your pet

I try to get as much important information about your pup as I can so that I can take good care of them as their owner would. Any special needs, fears, likes/dislikes, commands, their routine? What's allowed/not allowed? Any issues or things that you need to let me know that I haven't touched on above? Your baby will be very well taken care of with us. We are extremely attentive. At night they can sleep on the couch with our dogs so long as they are not destructive to property or eliminate. We have a camera in the living room that we can view at night to be sure that they are settled in. We are up bright and early every day at the same time ready to greet them with a smile in the morning. We follow a fairly scheduled routine and we pay attention to what they may be trying to express throughout the day As for house rules: Rule #1 Peeing and pooping must be done outside and not on the rug or furniture. Rule #2 If your Mommy doesn't allow it in your house, its not allowed here. Rule #3 Everyone must get along. No bullying allowed by anyone. Rule #4 Everyone must stick to their own bowl. Rule #5 When its bedtime, its bedtime--no if's, and's or but's. Rule #6 Do unto others as you would want to have done to you. Rule #7 Barking must be kept to a minimum for everyone's sake including the neighbors.

A typical day

Your babies will be walked on your schedule. They will be walked around our block or around the perimeter of our community baseball field. There is nap time during the day where everyone rests in the family room after playtime. We are very involved with them during the entire day. We play fetch, wrestle, give tons of hugs and kisses, pet them, morning massages, keep them clean, and attempt to teach them a trick or two. I am very involved with your dog during their stay. We have other games we play aside from fetch. We put out fresh blankets for them to sit/sleep on. During the summer the air conditioning is on for them. We go out for a lot of walks. We talk to them using the words they have been taught for better communication/understanding of one another. They are all shown affection and positive rewards either by voice, hand or treats. If they don't understand a request or command we try again until they "get" what it is that we are asking them to do. We are very patient. We run on a schedule so they get a feel for what will happen next during the course of the day.

Services

Boarding
in the sitter's home
$50per night
House Sitting
in your home
$175per night
Drop-In Visits
visits in your home
$25per visit
Doggy Day Care
in the sitter's home
$40per day
Dog Walking
in your neighborhood
$25per walk

Christina & Alan can host

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs

Christina & Alan can watch in your home

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs

Availability

This is my full time career. I am a professional dog trainer, behaviorist and sitter so this means I care for dog's needs every single day in some capacity.

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Calendar last updated 2 days ago
Christina & Alan can host up to 4 pets per night
Boarding Cancellation Policy:

About Christina & Alan D.

Communication

44 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in under an hour
100% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

40 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

We offer a free roam environment while we host in my home so that your dog feels as comfortable with us as it does at your own home. If we are staying at your home then I will care for your pets as you instruct. If checking in or taking your dog for a walk I take them to a safe location where they will enjoy exploring and doing their business.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has 2 dogs
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Information Christina & Alan D. would like to know about your pet

I try to get as much important information about your pup as I can so that I can take good care of them as their owner would. Any special needs, fears, likes/dislikes, commands, their routine? What's allowed/not allowed? Any issues or things that you need to let me know that I haven't touched on above? Your baby will be very well taken care of with us. We are extremely attentive. At night they can sleep on the couch with our dogs so long as they are not destructive to property or eliminate. We have a camera in the living room that we can view at night to be sure that they are settled in. We are up bright and early every day at the same time ready to greet them with a smile in the morning. We follow a fairly scheduled routine and we pay attention to what they may be trying to express throughout the day As for house rules: Rule #1 Peeing and pooping must be done outside and not on the rug or furniture. Rule #2 If your Mommy doesn't allow it in your house, its not allowed here. Rule #3 Everyone must get along. No bullying allowed by anyone. Rule #4 Everyone must stick to their own bowl. Rule #5 When its bedtime, its bedtime--no if's, and's or but's. Rule #6 Do unto others as you would want to have done to you. Rule #7 Barking must be kept to a minimum for everyone's sake including the neighbors.

A typical day

Your babies will be walked on your schedule. They will be walked around our block or around the perimeter of our community baseball field. There is nap time during the day where everyone rests in the family room after playtime. We are very involved with them during the entire day. We play fetch, wrestle, give tons of hugs and kisses, pet them, morning massages, keep them clean, and attempt to teach them a trick or two. I am very involved with your dog during their stay. We have other games we play aside from fetch. We put out fresh blankets for them to sit/sleep on. During the summer the air conditioning is on for them. We go out for a lot of walks. We talk to them using the words they have been taught for better communication/understanding of one another. They are all shown affection and positive rewards either by voice, hand or treats. If they don't understand a request or command we try again until they "get" what it is that we are asking them to do. We are very patient. We run on a schedule so they get a feel for what will happen next during the course of the day.

Location

Milford, PA

Christina & Alan D.'s Neighborhood

Pets

Rover Logo
All stays booked on Rover receive our Rover guarantee, 24/7 support, and our reservation protection.
Profile image
Verified Background Check
Profile image
Verified Background Check

Christina & Alan D.

Milford, PA

5.0 out of 5 stars
•122 reviews