Dawn S.
Darnestown, MD




Services
Dawn peut effectuer la garde à son domicile
Disponibilité
I have my own business so I set my own hours; when I do work, it is 100% remotely. Since I have a huge fenced in yard, I can let the dogs out as often as needed. On cooler days, I bring my laptop outside so that they can run around, take naps under the trees, chase the squirrels running along the top of the fence. Since I do not have children and am a home-body, I am available for boarding on weekends, weekdays and most holidays.
| L | M | M | J | V | S | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
29 | 30 |
À propos de Dawn S.
Communication
Compétences avec les chiens
Sécurité, confiance et environnement
In my home, I have an 8 foot privacy fence so there's no getting through that. I have a small crate with custom size pillow, and a medium plush crate in case your dog prefers to be crated at night. My yorkie has a very calm temperament and does not bark alot, I have yet to meet a dog that he does not like. When at someone else's home, I request that they write down all instructions, then tightly adhere to them. I ask a lot of questions to make sure both of us are on the same page. Most of all, I am very risk-averse - I am the type of owner who treats a dog as her child; I view myself as an "Au Pair" or "Nanny," and I hold the same standard of care for a dog as a human baby. I also like to keep the Owner updated with photos and videos since they are separated from their loved ones.
Logement
Informations que Dawn S. aimerait connaître au sujet de votre animal domestique
Let me know if your pet has any special needs. I can give oral liquid or pill medication, ear drops, eye drops. I do not have experience giving shots.
Une journée type
Rascal loves to play chuck-it. Larger friends love catching a frisbee, fetch with tennis balls, chasing the squirrels on the fence, running around the yard, or taking a dip in the outdoor pond. One of his friends just loves to gallop like a horse around the property or chase squirrels on the fence. On hot days, if allowed, I like to give them healthy treats, which right now is blended Greek yogurt with blueberries which I then freeze or I have store-bought doggie ice cream.
Lieu
Darnestown, MD
Animaux
Dawn S. a le statut Star Sitter.
Le programme Star Sitter vise à mettre en avant les pet sitters réactifs qui fournissent des services de garde très bien notés et qui ont l'habitude d'indiquer avec précision leurs disponibilités et leurs préférences, ce qui permet aux propriétaires d'animaux de trouver plus facilement le meilleur service pour leurs compagnons à quatre pattes.
"Dog" is "God" spelled backwards!
Expérience en matière de services dédiés aux animaux de compagnie
I was raised with dogs of all sizes (from pomeranian to Keeshond) and have crate-trained all of them. Because I work from home, the size of my yard and the privacy fence, I am the "go to" person to watch / board dogs for all of my friends. I have house-sat my friend's blind Rottweiler and energetic Pomsky at their home. I have cared for two Vizsla dogs (at the same time) in my home. I have also house-sat my friend's 3 pugs (in her home), two of which were seniors and needed medication and drops, while the third needed a wheelchair (rear 2 leg muscles had atrophied). Recently, I fostered a Vizsla-mix (about 60 lbs) "Bronson" who had been abused and lived in the kennel his whole life, I fell in love with him (foster fail) after only 7 days, during which I was able to teach him to walk in the house, jump in the car, wear a collar, walk on a leash, and basic commands. I have a 7-year-old Yorkie, Rascal, whom I trained to use the doggie door, respond to basic commands, and "ring the bell" to go outside (which he now uses when he is hungry!). Rascal has been socialized since he was a puppy so he is happy to share his single-family home and his 1 acre yard. So far, Rascal has gotten along with every dog (large or small, young or old) he has ever met, including at the dog park, during walks, etc. For when it is too hot or too cold outside, I made a small indoor space with astroturf (see photos) so our fur friends can feel like they are outside. I keep various toys for the pup's entertainment (and either wash or replace when needed). Outside, his friends enjoy dipping their toe beans (or standing in) the koi pond. For the super energetic larger breeds, I exercise them by playing fetch or frisbee in the yard and encourage them to run if possible, or whatever the owner allows me to use to make sure they get their daily exercise. The property has many trees allowing for many shady spots to roll around in the grass or chew their favorite toy. I treat your loved one like my own so they are always 100% supervised when playing, eating or even when lounging. I change their water several times a day and they always get filtered water. I work where they are and they are where I work. Overnight, I prefer that they sleep in my room so I can hear (I am a light sleeper) if they need something. If the owner prefers, I have a small crate (with custom pillow) and a medium crate available, if the pawrent prefers. I aim to maintain your little one's normal routine- morning bathroom relief, breakfast, afternoon potty break(s), physical exercise, and mental stimulation throughout the day, dinner, and late night potty before going to bed. My number one priority is following your instructions "to the tee" because no one knows your pet better than you! Each dog has his or her own personality, likes and sidelines, fears, etc. For those doggies that do not like or get along with men or children, my mother and I are the only humans living in the home. When you drop off your pet, with your permission, I will give your little one, him/her various NEW toys for exercise and/or mental stimulation. For first-time clients, if s/he loves the toy(s), s/he can keep it/them as my gift to your baby to remember me by. On stays of 3 days or longer, with your permission, I will brush the coat (to remove dead skin cells and promote circulation) and follow it with a waterless shampoo rub down to keep your little one clean and fresh, followed by a second brushing. Rascal and I look forward to meeting you and your loved ones.
Avis
I was a little nervous with leaving Miss Millie with a new sitter. However once meeting Dawn, all my fears vanished. Dawn is very personable and exudes professionalism, confidence, and a great understanding of dogs. Miss Millie took to her and her little yorkie Rascal immediately and had a blast in the large yard. Pictures and updates were sent regularly which was much appreciated. I highly recommend Dawn and Rascal as the perfect hosts.

This review is not a reflection of Dawn as a person who is wonderful but rather a poor fit. My Italian Grey Hound is senior and thrives on structure and boundaries. If you honor all his requests without boundaries, he will take advantage of you. This unfortunately led to a poor fit. By Dawn's own admission, she felt not tending to his every request was like not attending to a crying baby. The breed also tends to shake for the littlest reasons (excitement, eating food, seeing food, wanting to play, hearing noise, etc) and this contributed to her not feeling his needs were being met (even though they were). I asked Dawn to say no firmly but this was a challenge. This caused my dog to constantly want attention and whine; something he never does at home or during overnight stays. It is unclear if scents or this lack of boundaries also led him to pee in the house. In all previous stays this was never a problem. He only received high honors from my brother (over Christmas who knows the breed as he has two himself) and Sniffers, Rivermist, DoggieZone and Happy Hounds. He got very sick in his last stay at a boarding facility and hence we tried Rover. My dog's poor behavior from lack of boundaries led to approximately hundred texts between us trying to find solutions. Again something I never encountered before as my dog always behaved. This resulted in me ending his stay early and my dog stayed with my Aunt and Uncle (huge favor) for the second half of the vacation and he did not complete his stay with Dawn. At my Aunt and Uncles, I only checked in occasionally (once a day) to ensure issues were resolved and there zero complaints as my dog did fantastic. My Aunt and Uncle never owned dogs and did exactly what I said he needed. There was only one accident at my Aunt and Uncle's when it was raining heavy (my dog didn't want to go out and my Uncle admitted it was his fault) and zero instances with my brother and neither used fences at night. It is noted I did provide Dawn the option for a 3x4 ft fence with pee pads for over night (more space than a crate) in case he needed to relieve himself (he has trouble holding longer than 8 hours as a senior) so she could sleep in but she stated she didn't need it. I so wished this worked out but Rover doesn't appear to be a good fit as I need someone who only watches a single dog at a time (due to risk of Zeppelin getting sick from other dogs like at pet lodging) and provides structure and boundaries (boarding facilities are great at this). I wish Dawn the best as she tried her hardest to find solutions and was very kind to my dog. Just not a good fit in personalities as my dog is the sweetest in the world with boundaries and mischievous without. If your dog doesn't need strong boundaries, Dawn will likely be a great fit.

I can’t say enough good things about Dawn! She took such amazing care of my dog while I was away. From the updates with videos and photos she sent, I could tell my dog felt completely comfortable and loved. She was attentive, responsible, and truly treated my pup like her own. I came home to a happy, relaxed dog — which says everything. I would absolutely book with her again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone trustworthy and kind!

Dawn was so great! She sent lots of photos and videos and was super responsive to any messages. Our pup came home clean and happy! Great experience :)
À propos de Dawn S.
Communication
Compétences avec les chiens
Sécurité, confiance et environnement
In my home, I have an 8 foot privacy fence so there's no getting through that. I have a small crate with custom size pillow, and a medium plush crate in case your dog prefers to be crated at night. My yorkie has a very calm temperament and does not bark alot, I have yet to meet a dog that he does not like. When at someone else's home, I request that they write down all instructions, then tightly adhere to them. I ask a lot of questions to make sure both of us are on the same page. Most of all, I am very risk-averse - I am the type of owner who treats a dog as her child; I view myself as an "Au Pair" or "Nanny," and I hold the same standard of care for a dog as a human baby. I also like to keep the Owner updated with photos and videos since they are separated from their loved ones.
Logement
Informations que Dawn S. aimerait connaître au sujet de votre animal domestique
Let me know if your pet has any special needs. I can give oral liquid or pill medication, ear drops, eye drops. I do not have experience giving shots.
Une journée type
Rascal loves to play chuck-it. Larger friends love catching a frisbee, fetch with tennis balls, chasing the squirrels on the fence, running around the yard, or taking a dip in the outdoor pond. One of his friends just loves to gallop like a horse around the property or chase squirrels on the fence. On hot days, if allowed, I like to give them healthy treats, which right now is blended Greek yogurt with blueberries which I then freeze or I have store-bought doggie ice cream.
Dawn S.
Darnestown, MD
