Derek J.
Derek J.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Your Dog’s Home Away From Home
🐾 A Calm, Licensed Home-from-Home Experience Thank you for taking the time to view my profile. I provide fully licensed home boarding in a calm family environment where your dog is treated as one of the household, not as part of a kennel environment. Why choose me? ✅ Fully licensed by the local authority ✅ I work from home, so your dog enjoys company throughout the day. ✅ I board ONE household at a time, meaning your dog(s) are never mixed with unfamiliar dogs. ✅ Meet & Greets are encouraged before every first booking. ✅ Individual care tailored to your dog's routine, personality and needs. 🏡 Exclusive Boarding Unlike many boarders, I only accept dogs from one household at a time. This provides: • A quieter, less stressful environment. • Ideal for nervous, elderly or rescue dogs. • Individual attention throughout their stay. • No mixing with unfamiliar dogs. As availability is naturally limited, early booking is recommended, particularly during school holidays and peak travel periods. 🐕 Boarding Capacity To ensure every dog has sufficient space, supervision and comfort, I operate a 3-2-1 Maximum Occupancy Policy. • Up to 3 Small dogs • Up to 2 Medium dogs • Or 1 Large / Giant breed (All dogs must be from the same household.) ❤️ Experience I have experience caring for a variety of breeds including: • Border Collies • Boxers • Cocker Spaniels • Corgis • Australian Shepherds • Labradors • Lhasa Apsos • Australian Labradoodles • Rhodesian Ridgebacks I'm confident handling energetic working breeds as well as smaller companion dogs, adapting exercise, enrichment and care to each individual dog. 🩺 Vaccination Requirements As a licensed home boarder, I am legally required to verify that every dog in my care has current core vaccinations. Before a booking is confirmed, please provide a copy (digital or paper) of your dog's vaccination record covering: • Distemper • Infectious Hepatitis • Parvovirus • Leptospirosis This helps keep every dog safe while ensuring compliance with local authority licensing requirements. 🤝 Communication I aim to respond promptly to every enquiry and appreciate the same in return. Because I only board one household at a time, dates remain available to other owners until a booking is confirmed through Rover. 🐾 What you can expect • A genuine home environment. • Daily updates and photographs (if you'd like them!). • Plenty of companionship throughout the day. • Calm, patient handling. • Walks and routines tailored to your dog's individual needs. • Your dog treated with the same care and respect I'd expect for my own.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
I cannot fail to recommend Derek highly enough to anyone who is thinking of boarding their dog(s) with him. Derek has taken such good care of my pooch walking him three times a day, seeing that he is utterly content and happy at all times, sending video and photos of what they have been doing all through the day. My boy has come home to me very happy and looking great! I will certainly use Derek's services again as there is nothing that he will not do to ensure your dog's happiness whilst they are staying with him.
Derek is a wonderful caregiver to all animals. He is kind and responsible. He walks for miles each day so any dog would be lucky to have him in their life
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Pet care fits naturally into my daily routine as I already walk 2–3 times a day, typically for around an hour each walk. I structure my day around providing consistent exercise, attention, and supervision, ensuring dogs get plenty of physical activity and stimulation throughout their stay. I’m at home for most of the day, so dogs are rarely left alone for long periods. My routine allows me to maintain a calm, stable environment with regular feeding times, walks, rest, and supervised garden access. I’m flexible and able to adjust my schedule to suit each dog’s individual needs, energy levels, and routines, including puppies or dogs that require more frequent attention.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
I provide a calm, safe home environment where dogs are treated like part of the family and their usual routines are followed, including feeding, exercise, and rest. I only board dogs from one household at a time, ensuring full attention, a stress-free environment, and no mixing with unfamiliar dogs. Dogs have access to a secure garden for supervised outdoor time, alongside tailored walks based on their individual needs and energy levels. I take a careful, responsible approach to care, prioritising safety, consistency, and comfort so each dog can settle quickly and feel at home. Owners receive regular updates with messages and photos for complete peace of mind while their dog is in my care.
A typical day
Walks! Paddling / swimming! Ball throwing! Game of tug! Scent games! Lots of one on one attention but also respectful and perceptive of when your pooch wants some quiet time.