Colin R.
Cotherstone
Services
These prices are for 1 dog.Prices include all fees.
Colin can host
Colin can care for
Availability
Retirement means more availability so I'm ideally suited to being around for a dog when you're busy. I prefer to keep the flexibility that caring for other people's dogs provides, which is why I'm not looking to have a dog of my own full time. The fact I have the lung disease means it's best for me to keep active as much as I'm able and having a dog around gives the push to walk multiple times a day.
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About Colin R.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
We have very small garden which is fenced off but mostly it'll be walks to get out and about. We have an admittedly small 3 bedroom house so a small to medium size dog would fit best. The dog will sleep in the living room preferably in a bed provided by the owners. Although this site asks whether we'd allow the dog to be in furniture or beds, I'd prefer to stick with whatever it's used to at home.
Home
Information Colin R. would like to know about your pet
I'd be keen to know any house rules that the dog sticks to at home. There's no point in me allowing, for example, it to get on the furniture if that's banned when the dog is at home or in taking the dog off for something that's fine in its own house. I'd also like to know specific likes and dislikes so as to make our time together the best fun for us both. Any allergies or specific food needs would be a given too
A typical day
My main will always be to make the dog feel comfortable and connected, like I'm a new friend. Multiple small walks I think are a great bonding tool but the point is to tailor each visit to the dog in question so I'd say there's no magic one thing because one might love water but another attention.
Location
Cotherstone, United Kingdom
Retired - free when you can't be!
Pet care experience
My wife and I both grew up in houses that always had dogs although when we moved in together we always felt too busy to get our own. Luckily for us, mum and dad's dogs tended to stay over whenever they went away. We got the fun part of being around a dog, and the companionship that brings, but also the freedom not be tied down once they returned home. Now that I've retired, I'm free weekdays, weekends, evenings, extended stays or even staying at the dog's place if that was needed. Ideally I like seeing the same dog, or dogs, more than once so I can feel they see me as familiar and a small part of their lives. I usually miss them when they go home! We live right on the former railway line which is now a path and so is ideal. I love walking although am restricted to a steady pace because I suffer with ILD (lung disease). I can do fairly lengthy walks although can't go fast and hills really slow me down. This means that a small to medium sized (or an older) dog is my best fit although I have looked after dogs as young as one.
Reviews
Our Patterdale Terrier felt right at home with Colin and Claire. They’ve looked after him like he was their own. He has come home very content. Would highly recommend and will always reach out to them first now for pet sitting. Communication was excellent and we felt confident he was in very safe hands. He is a rescue and has some socialisation issues so he is a work in progress in some areas, but Colin and Claire were very understanding and took amazing care of him.
Pawfect. Colin was so excellent and looked after Els so well. Provided lots of updates and definitely did all he could to help Els feel comfortable. Very kind to me as well.
Wish i could give more starts . My dog is a little bit timid and i hate leaving him .when i left him i felt totally at easy straight away i could tell that Colin and Claire would take really good care of him . They kept me updated on his stay 💯I would defently use mobody else now . I cant recommend these guys enought
We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Colin looked after our dog for 12 nights and treated her like one of his own. From the very first meeting, he was so friendly, caring, and genuinely interested in getting to know her routine and personality. You can tell he is a real Dog lover! Throughout her stay, we received daily updates, photos and videos (“pupdates!”), which really put our minds at ease and showed just how happy and well cared for she was. She got her regular walks (more than we would have asked for), plenty of cuddles, and clearly became part of his home. I’m pretty sure she took over! It’s such a relief knowing our dog was not just looked after, but truly loved while we were away. We can’t recommend Colin and his wife highly enough! We know Frankie had the best time and if we ever need anyone again he will definitely be first on our list to ask! Thanks so much x
About Colin R.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
We have very small garden which is fenced off but mostly it'll be walks to get out and about. We have an admittedly small 3 bedroom house so a small to medium size dog would fit best. The dog will sleep in the living room preferably in a bed provided by the owners. Although this site asks whether we'd allow the dog to be in furniture or beds, I'd prefer to stick with whatever it's used to at home.
Home
Information Colin R. would like to know about your pet
I'd be keen to know any house rules that the dog sticks to at home. There's no point in me allowing, for example, it to get on the furniture if that's banned when the dog is at home or in taking the dog off for something that's fine in its own house. I'd also like to know specific likes and dislikes so as to make our time together the best fun for us both. Any allergies or specific food needs would be a given too
A typical day
My main will always be to make the dog feel comfortable and connected, like I'm a new friend. Multiple small walks I think are a great bonding tool but the point is to tailor each visit to the dog in question so I'd say there's no magic one thing because one might love water but another attention.
Colin R.
Cotherstone