Dana M.
Leicester, NC
6.5 Acres for the dogs!
Pet care experience
I am a positive reinforcement, clicker dog trainer, pet sitter and walker. I have certifications in Canine Behavior and Learning that are rooted in the science of animal behavior. I strive to continually learn and apply science supported, rewards based, operant conditioning methods to dog training, pet sitting, socializing and walking. I LOVE dogs and pups of all kinds and believe that mutual respect is the basis of true learning, understanding and communication between humans and canines. I also enjoy cats, fish, reptiles and birds too! My partner is a licensed veterinary nurse who is fantastic with dogs. We work together to give the dogs in our care a fun time while maximizing good health and behavior. Formal Training Includes: 1. Karen Pryor Academy - a prestigious, advanced, positive reinforcement clicker training program for dog training professionals. I graduated with distinction earning the KPA-CTP credential. 2. Aggressive Dog Mentorship through the IAABC - amazing deep dive course into the common causes of aggression, defensive handling and humane protocols for training. 3. Living and Learning with Animals - an advanced course in animal behavior with Dr. Susan Friedman. 4. CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) certification through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers. 5. Canine Sports course through the Karen Pryor Academy - focusing on agility, scent work and cool tricks. 6. Dogtec Dog Walking Academy Certification including Dog First Aid Certification. Attended the advanced class. 7. Pat Miller's Canine Behavior and Learning Intern Academy (clicker training dogs from the Frederick County Animal Care and Control Shelter to enhance adoptability) Volunteer Experience: 1. BARC (dog walker) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (4 months) 2. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - DogTown - volunteer care giver for homeless dogs in Utah (1 month). Why I love dog sitting I've been a dog lover forever. I have a fondness for pitbulls in particular! Fostering and eventually adopting a Bluenose Rescue Pitbull with behavioral issues (who passed in Oct. 2012) led me down the path of studying canine behavior and learning theory; which then led me to clicker training. I have experience training, walking and care taking all kinds of dogs including: shelter and rescue dogs; dogs with bite histories (both dogs and humans); shy/timid/fearful dogs; puppies, adolescents and senior dogs; dog reactive dogs; happy-go-lucky dogs; high maintenance dogs and very chill dogs! Please Note: It is not in line with my training philosophy to use e-collars, leash corrections and/or aversive stimuli in general. I will not do it. For dog boarding - your dog must be well padded and dog friendly as we have a resident dog friendly dog named Linus. If your dog prefers their own space and/or has a fight history with other dogs pet sitting in your own home is the better option - we (my partner and I) can accommodate both. Feel free to contact me with questions if you are not sure.
Reviews
I feel like I won the dog-sitting jackpot lottery with Dana. We're a household with two chihuahua mixes, one who has some fear-based aggression issues, which has prevented us from being able to leave him behind while traveling (traveling with an aggressive dog is stressful, too), so my husband and I have resorted to taking turns traveling solo. We were ready for a trip where the two of us could go at the same time sans dogs! Finding a sitter who was willing and able to work with him (and who used purely positive reinforcement training techniques) was 99% of the battle of finding a suitable sitter for our two. We contacted her before we booked tickets a couple of months ahead of our visit. For weeks leading up to our vacation, she set aside time to stop by and hang out with them each week, gradually leading up to her spending time with them without us in the house. During our trip, she texted us plenty of pictures and updates on them which put my mind at ease so we could fully relax. Our pups really bonded with her, even the one who we thought would *never* make another human friend started to seek out pats and cuddles with her by the end of the trip. I couldn't be happier with Dana's work with our dogs and will be sure to call her for future sits.
this is the first time ive ever left my pups where I didn't worry at all. Dana is the best! I think they were disappointed to see me come in the door rather than Dana. would not hesitate to use her again.
After having read through a LOT of sitter profiles, I chose Dana to puppy-sit my 2 large GSD "teens" for 2 weeks (my first time leaving them with a sitter), and I am so glad I did. She is not only very professional, but she e-mailed me photos and updates every day. Not only did she play fetch and take them for walks; she also worked with them to improve their leash-walking and where they drop the ball during fetch. The first walk we took upon getting home, I hardly recognized my dogs; where had my "sled team" gone??? They are now walking without tugging (ok, except when there are squirrels around, but that's asking for a miracle;). She also left our home cleaner than she found it. I REALLY hope she sticks around, as I plan to use her services again.
Dana stayed in our home for ten days to look after a bunch of different animals with a variety of complicated needs: 2 extremely active dogs who need daily off-leash hikes, a lizard who requires live worms for dinner, a cat who likes to leave half-dead mice on the floor, and 2 indoor rabbits who--remarkably--are probably more work than anyone else in the house. Dana handled all of this with aplomb. And besides providing basic care, it seems she really bonded with everyone on a personal level. Best of all was her responsiveness and the frequency of her updates! I am an extreme worrywart and have only left the dogs twice in the last 5 years...I'm the sort of person who would panic and look into the next flight home if a day went by without any word from the sitter. Dana sent photos of the dogs within an hour of her arrival (a HUGE relief) and kept the pictures coming every day after that. I got roughly 10 pictures a day, showing all the animals at all times of the day. (The pictures of tired, panting dogs in the middle of the woods were the best!) Last but not least, she's a truly talented dog trainer. My dogs are great guard dogs and don't let just anyone into the house. Frankly, I didn't see how anyone who wasn't already a friend of the family would be able to get in. But the first time I met her I realized that she's a dog whisperer (for lack of a better term)--totally calm, cool, and collected in the face of frantic barking and growling. She stood there calmly, and gained their trust within minutes. Yep, I recommend Dana.
About Dana M.
Communication
Skills
Home
Information Dana M. would like to know about your pet
I have no breed preferences - come one, come all. : ) Before sitting a dog I request that you fill out a canine behavior and questionnaire form so that I can get a good preliminary sense of your dog's personality. I like to know if there is a bite history with people or other dogs (this does not deter me - I just need to know). I also like to converse with the parents about what foods and treats the pup likes/dislikes and what general habits the pup has. I prefer to meet the parents and pup in the house before starting the sitting process.
A typical day
Time I'll spend with your dog Several hours in the morning and evening for breakfast/dinner and walks/runs/outings outside on our 6.5 acres. Several hours towards hanging out and cuddling in the evening and sometimes mid-day depending upon the pups needs and my schedule. One to two hours towards clicker excercises and games.
Services
Dana can host
Dana can watch in your home
About Dana M.
Communication
Skills
Home
Information Dana M. would like to know about your pet
I have no breed preferences - come one, come all. : ) Before sitting a dog I request that you fill out a canine behavior and questionnaire form so that I can get a good preliminary sense of your dog's personality. I like to know if there is a bite history with people or other dogs (this does not deter me - I just need to know). I also like to converse with the parents about what foods and treats the pup likes/dislikes and what general habits the pup has. I prefer to meet the parents and pup in the house before starting the sitting process.
A typical day
Time I'll spend with your dog Several hours in the morning and evening for breakfast/dinner and walks/runs/outings outside on our 6.5 acres. Several hours towards hanging out and cuddling in the evening and sometimes mid-day depending upon the pups needs and my schedule. One to two hours towards clicker excercises and games.
Location
Leicester, NC
Pets
Dana M.
Leicester, NC