Profile image
Profile image

Derek G.

Downtown, CA

5.0 out of 5 stars
186 reviews
Image 0
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
350PhotosView All

Certified Canine Behavioral Spc.

Pet care experience

Hello, and thank you for viewing my profile. If you are looking to select a caretaker for your dog or cat, I’d be happy to do so. I'm also a certified Canine Behavior Consultant. This means that I understand very well how animals think (especially dogs), and can not only gain their trust with ease, but help them and their owners with "training" in being better cohabitants. I've done a lot of rescues out in the wild because I just can't stand to see anyone left out. I'm a Lifetime Member of the ASPCA. I am 100% comfortable with animals who need extra attention or special needs care, as long as it is discussed before booking. As a reminder... I do have two cats. They’re just about a year apart. They’re quite friendly with dogs, especially Nero (the black one). Nova (the flamepoint Siamese) on the other hand is definitely more skittish, but once he determines that no one's going to try and eat him, he becomes super friendly :) I don't usually take more than 2 guests in at one time, to keep the level of crazy down for everyone. But, during holidays and very special requests, I may have 1-2 extra. My home is always kept 80% clean, and is generally dog proof. All of my floors are hardwood, minus the bedroom. I keep my apartment at a very reasonable temperature at all times, and 95% of the time every single window is as open as it possibly can be (until winter). There are no toxic plants in the house, nor are there any chemicals within reach of any animals, even cats. Food is kept in sealed storage bins, or in one of two refrigerators depending on the requirement of the food itself. Water is replenished throughout the day to two bowls, one in the kitchen, and one in the living room. All bowls (both water & food) are raised up off the ground for easier access, and are adjustable in the event of a shorter-legged friend (we call them "fun-sized" lol). Of course if you have your own bowls, I'm happy to use them, and clean them thoroughly before the visit is complete.

Reviews

Katharine R.
Dog Boarding • Jan 01, 2024
Profile image

Derek is amazing! He is highly knowledgeable about animals and always takes such great care of my Luci. He sends daily updates with pictures and videos. I would highly recommend him!

Dean T.
Dog Boarding • Dec 11, 2023
Profile image

Derek was very attentive and took very good care of my doggo. I appreciated all of his updates and he even went above and beyond with some great recomendations.

Ray E.
Drop-In Visits • Nov 27, 2023
Profile image

Derek was absolutely fantastic. It was my first time using the app so he helped me feel confident land reassured. Left detailed reports each day with tons of photos and clearly loves animals.

Jeffrey F.
Drop-In Visits • Nov 21, 2023
Profile image
Profile image

Always goes above and beyond. Great communication, actually cares about our pets’ wellbeing. Repeat customer for every trip we take!

About Derek G.

Communication

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

Skills

24 years of experience
Oral medication administration
First aid/CPR
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

For dogs it’s pretty simple. My own dog will stay in her kennel for the first 30 minutes if the newcomer is a new client. This gives the new dog time to acclimate to the new surroundings. It lets them sniff everything, and explore every space. It also lets them meet my dog in a way where they don’t feel as if they are the outcast in someone else’s territory. After a while, I let my dog out, and everybody usually sniffs each other, then they either attempt to play, or just chill out. For cats it’s the opposite. Everybody starts off in the indoor catio. It’s somewhat large (three levels), and has everything inside that a cat could need. A self-contained litter box with lots of privacy, multiple levels of which to lay on, a built-in heating pad, and it’s purposely placed by a window with fresh air. Typically by the second day, I open the doors on the catio and let them have their choice if they wish to get out and explore. Normally they will, though usually at night. After 1 to 2 days, most visitors (in terms of cats) are comfortable with everybody else. Both of my own cats are pretty easy-going. Nero will simply ignore all new cats because he doesn’t care lol. Nova on the other hand is quite skittish but at the same time — extremely curious. He’s very nosy, but does not like confrontation. He will run away faster than anyone else lol.

Home

Lives in an apartment
Does not have a yard
Non-smoking household
Has 1 dog, 2 cats
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 4-8 hours

Information Derek G. would like to know about your pet

I only have 3 rules: 1. No hyper aggressive dogs (or cats!) of any kind. That’s not breed specific, that’s temperament. If you’ve trained and solicalized your dog, he/she should have no problems. I’ve seen pit bulls that are the greatest cuddlers ever, while a little terrier pup turns into a demon on four legs! It happens! ??‍♂️ 2. Potty training. If they are not 100% potty trained, this will be an issue. I promise I will give your pup more than enough chances to go outside and do their thing. And yes, accidents happen. But if it becomes a recurring issue... then we need to discuss alternatives. If the dog in question is still a puppy, then realistic expectations should be discussed beforehand. 3. Absolutely no un-neutered males. Nothing against them, but their presence changes everyone's calmness in the household, and if there's one thing I don't like to see, it's my animals or other's feeling ancy because of the presence of the unfixed one. Plus, every time I've been told "Yea, he's not fixed but he's 100% potty trained" has been false. Why? Because most of the time those dogs live with no other dogs in the house. They're usually just too territorial.

A typical day

How I run things with my animals and Rover guests is pretty straightforward. Breakfast is at 6-6:30, and dinner is served between 6-7pm. Everyone gets their own bowls and eats away from each other, to give the calmest & least stressful eating experience possible. Everyone also gets their own bed (if you don't have one or don't want to bring one, it's fine; I have backups). Toys are shared among everyone. In between meals there are usually 2 walks (dependent on the weather). Normally a simple 20-30 minute walk each time is good, but on especially beautiful days, we could go for an hour if everyone is up to it. Of course, if you have any requests just for your furry kiddo just let me know. I'm happy to take a certain someone out for extra walks or playtime, and can easily accommodate to any dietary or habitual needs. Even if it means very short walks for the senior citizens, or help with bathroom breaks. I'm experienced with suspension harnesses as well.

Services

Boarding
in the sitter's home
$41per night
Drop-In Visits
visits in your home
$24per visit
Doggy Day Care
in the sitter's home
$38per day
Dog Walking
in your neighborhood
$22per walk

Derek can host

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs
Spayed and neutered dogs
No females in heat

Derek can watch in your home

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

Availability

My schedule is usually the same. For drop ins and walks, I’m typically available between Friday and Sunday each weekend. I can also do late night drop in Monday through Thursday, as long as it’s 6 PM or later.

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Calendar last updated 14 days ago
Drop-In Visits Cancellation Policy:

About Derek G.

Communication

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

Skills

24 years of experience
Oral medication administration
First aid/CPR
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

For dogs it’s pretty simple. My own dog will stay in her kennel for the first 30 minutes if the newcomer is a new client. This gives the new dog time to acclimate to the new surroundings. It lets them sniff everything, and explore every space. It also lets them meet my dog in a way where they don’t feel as if they are the outcast in someone else’s territory. After a while, I let my dog out, and everybody usually sniffs each other, then they either attempt to play, or just chill out. For cats it’s the opposite. Everybody starts off in the indoor catio. It’s somewhat large (three levels), and has everything inside that a cat could need. A self-contained litter box with lots of privacy, multiple levels of which to lay on, a built-in heating pad, and it’s purposely placed by a window with fresh air. Typically by the second day, I open the doors on the catio and let them have their choice if they wish to get out and explore. Normally they will, though usually at night. After 1 to 2 days, most visitors (in terms of cats) are comfortable with everybody else. Both of my own cats are pretty easy-going. Nero will simply ignore all new cats because he doesn’t care lol. Nova on the other hand is quite skittish but at the same time — extremely curious. He’s very nosy, but does not like confrontation. He will run away faster than anyone else lol.

Home

Lives in an apartment
Does not have a yard
Non-smoking household
Has 1 dog, 2 cats
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 4-8 hours

Information Derek G. would like to know about your pet

I only have 3 rules: 1. No hyper aggressive dogs (or cats!) of any kind. That’s not breed specific, that’s temperament. If you’ve trained and solicalized your dog, he/she should have no problems. I’ve seen pit bulls that are the greatest cuddlers ever, while a little terrier pup turns into a demon on four legs! It happens! ??‍♂️ 2. Potty training. If they are not 100% potty trained, this will be an issue. I promise I will give your pup more than enough chances to go outside and do their thing. And yes, accidents happen. But if it becomes a recurring issue... then we need to discuss alternatives. If the dog in question is still a puppy, then realistic expectations should be discussed beforehand. 3. Absolutely no un-neutered males. Nothing against them, but their presence changes everyone's calmness in the household, and if there's one thing I don't like to see, it's my animals or other's feeling ancy because of the presence of the unfixed one. Plus, every time I've been told "Yea, he's not fixed but he's 100% potty trained" has been false. Why? Because most of the time those dogs live with no other dogs in the house. They're usually just too territorial.

A typical day

How I run things with my animals and Rover guests is pretty straightforward. Breakfast is at 6-6:30, and dinner is served between 6-7pm. Everyone gets their own bowls and eats away from each other, to give the calmest & least stressful eating experience possible. Everyone also gets their own bed (if you don't have one or don't want to bring one, it's fine; I have backups). Toys are shared among everyone. In between meals there are usually 2 walks (dependent on the weather). Normally a simple 20-30 minute walk each time is good, but on especially beautiful days, we could go for an hour if everyone is up to it. Of course, if you have any requests just for your furry kiddo just let me know. I'm happy to take a certain someone out for extra walks or playtime, and can easily accommodate to any dietary or habitual needs. Even if it means very short walks for the senior citizens, or help with bathroom breaks. I'm experienced with suspension harnesses as well.

Location

Long Beach, CA

Derek G.'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

Derek G.

Downtown, CA

5.0 out of 5 stars
186 reviews