Ericka O.
Ericka O.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Lover of dogs and wildlife🍃
I’ve grown up around dogs and have adored them for as long as I can remember. From a young age I helped care for our family dogs — a German Shepherd, a French Bulldog, and a Maltese — so I’ve experienced a wide range of temperaments, needs, and energy levels. Looking after them, especially through their puppy stages, was a responsibility I genuinely loved. Although my mum has since separated from the person we shared our dogs with, and they now live with him, my love for dogs hasn’t gone anywhere. I’d love to have a dog of my own one day, but as I’m still early in my career and have plans to travel, I know I’m not quite ready to commit fully yet. That’s why dog walking and dog sitting feels like the perfect way to bring dogs back into my life while I plan for the future. I’m an active person who enjoys long walks, running, and training at the gym, so having a dog benefit from that lifestyle would be wonderful. I’ve really missed having a fluffy companion around, and I’d be thrilled to offer care, attention, and plenty of exercise to someone’s dog as I slowly work my way toward owning one again.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Our Tibetan Terrier spent the weekend with Ericka while we were away. Ericka was very professional from a great first meet and greet to regular updates during and a debrief at the end. Our dog is a bit nervous but Ericka took everything on with grace. Her love for dogs really shone through the whole time. We will definitely be booking with her again!
Having known Ericka for a few years, it is obvious that one of her passions is animals. She treats pets with care and love, including my dog and cat, when she visits! She would be an asset to the Rover community.
I’ve known Ericka a long time, and she’s one of those people who brings warmth into any room she walks into. She’s naturally chatty, bubbly, and genuinely attentive to everyone around her- people and animals alike. I’ve seen her with dogs many times, and it’s clear how much she loves them. She notices the little things, responds to them with patience and kindness, and they always seem relaxed and happy in her company. If you want someone who’s caring, switched‑on, and full of positive energy, Ericka is exactly that.
I’ve known Erika for about five years and can confidently say she is one of the most reliable and caring people I know. As a qualified veterinary nurse, I’m particularly mindful about who I would trust around animals, and I would absolutely trust Erika with my own pets. Erika has a genuine love for animals and always treats them with patience, kindness, and attention. She takes the time to make sure pets feel comfortable, safe, and well cared for, and she’s great at understanding their individual needs and personalities. She is responsible, trustworthy, and very easy to communicate with, which makes her someone pet owners can feel completely comfortable leaving their pets with. I highly recommend Erika to anyone looking for a dependable and caring pet sitter or dog walker on Rover.
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
I work full‑time during the week from 8–5, but I train early in the mornings, so I’m available for evening walks Monday to Friday. Weekends are when I’m most flexible — from Friday evening onwards I can offer full care, including dog sitting or boarding. I occasionally work from home, and on those weeks I’m happy to take on additional daytime care as long as I have plenty of notice. For the most part, though, weekday evening walks are what I can reliably commit to.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
We live in a cosy two‑bedroom semi‑detached home with plenty of space, as it’s just my partner and me. Our garden is open rather than fully fenced, but any dog in my care will always be supervised while outside. If your dog is prone to wandering or has a history of trying to escape, just let me know — in those cases I’ll keep them on a lead for bathroom breaks to ensure they’re completely safe. I’m very happy to work around your dog’s individual needs. If there are any specific routines, behaviours, or requirements I should be aware of, please feel free to share them with me. I’ll always do my best to accommodate what your dog is used to and make their time with me as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
A typical day
A dog in my care would start the day with a good walk — the distance and pace considered to your dog’s age, fitness, and needs. I’m lucky to live close to several lovely green spaces, including Meanwood Park, which is perfect for getting them outdoors, moving, and properly exercised. I’m genuinely fascinated by dog behaviour, so I naturally incorporate training and mental stimulation into our time together. This can include practising loose‑lead walking, reinforcing basic cues such as sit, stay, leave it, recall, and encouraging calm behaviour around distractions. I’m not a professional trainer, but I’m confident with positive‑reinforcement methods and love helping dogs stay mentally engaged. Alongside structured training, there will be plenty of play, enrichment activities, and lots of affection and attention. My aim is always to make sure any dog staying with me feels stimulated, safe, and cared for throughout the day.
Prices include all fees.