5.0

From the age of 3 I have had Guinea Pigs up until the last couple of years. I fed, watered, health checked and cleaned them out regularly. Since 14 I have been helping the neighbours care for their dogs from puppies to senior. These roles include feeding, ensuring they always have clean water, are healthy and safe before I leave and I always feed back anything I have noticed on a walk. Over the past 4 to 5 years I have walked dogs including several Labrador Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, a Jack Russel Terrier, a Poodle, a Goldendoodle and White West Highland Terriers. I allow the dogs to walk at their speed especially as they get older and only take them on walks suitable to their health. I always try to learn about the dog before to be able to form a bond. I was dog training pre-COVID from puppy ages right up to the Gold Kennel Club Award. I did this for about 3 1/2 years. If you were training your animal then I would be happy to help from implementing this inside the home to when walking outside. I will use equipment give to work with the dog as long as it is safe. I will not use pinch collars or e-collars and any slip leads used will be on older dogs. I groom dogs when I am back at home. I have been training and working since the end of the first lockdown in 2020. I work safely when with the pets and when talking to the owners ensuring that I give any necessary feedback. If your dog has a longer coat then regular brushing helps ensure that the coat remains matt free. Matting is likely to build up in places such as legs but wearing a harness can also lead to quicker developing matts in a dogs' chest, belly and behind their front legs. If needed I can groom your dog as long as you have suitable equipment however I will not remove any matting if it may cause your dog harm or distress. I worked in kennels and a cattery for work experience whilst doing my Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management and I also did a Level 2 Dog Walking course alongside in my second year. In this time I learnt more about how to safely work with the animals who are in an enclosed space which often they are not used to or having someone enter their personal bubble. I worked efficiently but ensuring I maintained the safety of the animal I was working with to protect both them and myself.