Erika G.
St. Charles, IL
Services
Erika can host
Erika can care for
Availability
Currently, my full-time job is working with pets and completing my degree. I do have some regulars around lunchtime, but other than that my schedule is generally open. In my spare time I garden, paint, draw, cook, walk my dog, and run another small business online.
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About Erika G.
Communication
Dog skills
Cat skills
Safety, trust & environment
Trust: Having a stranger come into your home to watch your pets is a big deal. I’m the person who comes to the house for a living and even I find it a bit strange. So, what I can say about trusting me is that I understand if you don’t. What I can tell you about me is that I’m someone who likes things straight-forward and blunt (this makes it easier for us both to trust each other), I prefer transparency (who are we all trying to fool anyways?), and I will always be honest with you about what is going on with me and your pet. I back this up by being completely okay with being watched by home cameras, as long as they aren’t in private areas, and that I am informed. ———————————————————— Environment: Cleanliness, order, and structure are important to me when caring for pets, whether they be a dog who needs a walk, a cat who needs medicine, or a puppy who just needs to play. I am very mindful about the environment I am in, whether that be your home, your yard, or walking outside in the neighborhood. I typically centralize what I need in the workspace that I am assigned (kitchen, living room, bedroom), and will complete all essential tasks as described and then clean up after myself completely. I take pride in leaving an environment clean and leaving your personal belongings untouched, and making sure that your pet can’t get into anything dangerous, can’t get out, and is safe when they are with me and when they are alone in the house. I’m careful of poisonous substances, such as coffee grounds, items containing xylitol, and other poisonous items such as chemical cleaning agents. In regard to your home, I am incredibly diligent about keeping windows and doors locked when I am around and when I am out. Nothing scares me more than the thought of a loose pet or someone getting into a home while I am gone and will go to great lengths to make sure neither of those things happen on my watch. ———————————————————— Safety: I would like to think I’m pretty fun and cool, but I’m actually quite a stickler when it comes to safety. When walking especially, I will avoid people and dogs without a second thought because I don’t want your dog to either react negatively and get into a bad situation or end up getting attacked by a reactive/aggressive dog. I’m a quick walker, carry treats on me for emergencies, and am physically capable of picking up dogs up to about 80-100 pounds. Extra large dogs I am able to control by making them do a sit and holding their collar until they’re calm or non-resistant. If they do not sit, I will block them until they listen and relax. I use obedience basics to ensure a safe and trusting relationship with the pets I watch, whether or not we are on a walk. My method when a dog is acting naughty is to ignore them, take treats away, and if necessary I can crate them.
Home
Information Erika G. would like to know about your pet
Please provide information on health status, past traumas, medication regiments, sleeping/eating schedule (if applicable), vet info, emergency contact info, breed information, and other important info on personality quirks.
A typical day
Every pet is different and every day is different. For me, every time I visit a pet, or they come to see me, I get the basics and most important things done first. Those things are potty, water, food, and if applicable, medicine. Then, once we have the basics covered, we can focus on exercise, play, cuddles, snack time, and perhaps some training and obedience work if we have time. If your dog is friendly with other dogs, my pup, Mysti, can come in and tire them out as well. She can walk with them, play with them, and run around in the yard with them.
Location
St. Charles, IL
Pets
Erika G. has Star Sitter status
The Star Sitter program highlights responsive sitters who deliver highly rated care and have a history of listing accurate availability and preferences, making it easier for pet parents to find the best care for their pets.
Responsible, Mindful, Loving Care
Pet care experience
Hello there! My name is Erika. I’ve been interacting with dogs since I was an infant, and now I’m a proud dog owner of an Australian Shepherd named Mysti. For the majority of my life, my family has had Labrador Retrievers, and I have experience with most common breeds through friends, family, and Rover. I also have experience with lesser-known breeds, difficult breeds, and breeds that need specialized attention. My experience also includes working with dogs who require medical attention, such as dogs with diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, and most common diseases and disorders such as anxiety, depression, minor/moderate behavioral issues, and teeth/gum issues. I’m very capable of changing out gauze on medical sites, cleaning stitches, administering medicine, and cleaning up after a pet if they have an accident. Caring for pets isn’t always “pretty”, or “perfect”, and I’m okay with that. My approach is straight-forward, no nonsense, and compassionate, and I will always do right by you and your pet! I’m looking forward to hearing from you, thank you.
Cat care experience
Erika also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Reviews
Erika did great- she was very communicative and attentive to our pups! She is clearly a dog lover and was great with both our senior dog and our high energy puppy!
Erika is so wonderful! She always takes wonderful care of our buddy and makes she he gets all that he needs while we are away. She’s awesome!
Erika is a reliable sitter that really connects with my 2 Irish Setters girls. She has great instincts in how to deal with what they’re thinking and how they’re behaving. Claire wasn’t feeling good and Erika cared for her and kept me informed with texts and photos. She’s cared for my girls 4 days this week and I understand why she’s rated as a Star Sitter❣️
Erika is excellent! She keeps me up to date when watching my pet, sends pictures and goes all the extras.
About Erika G.
Communication
Dog skills
Cat skills
Safety, trust & environment
Trust: Having a stranger come into your home to watch your pets is a big deal. I’m the person who comes to the house for a living and even I find it a bit strange. So, what I can say about trusting me is that I understand if you don’t. What I can tell you about me is that I’m someone who likes things straight-forward and blunt (this makes it easier for us both to trust each other), I prefer transparency (who are we all trying to fool anyways?), and I will always be honest with you about what is going on with me and your pet. I back this up by being completely okay with being watched by home cameras, as long as they aren’t in private areas, and that I am informed. ———————————————————— Environment: Cleanliness, order, and structure are important to me when caring for pets, whether they be a dog who needs a walk, a cat who needs medicine, or a puppy who just needs to play. I am very mindful about the environment I am in, whether that be your home, your yard, or walking outside in the neighborhood. I typically centralize what I need in the workspace that I am assigned (kitchen, living room, bedroom), and will complete all essential tasks as described and then clean up after myself completely. I take pride in leaving an environment clean and leaving your personal belongings untouched, and making sure that your pet can’t get into anything dangerous, can’t get out, and is safe when they are with me and when they are alone in the house. I’m careful of poisonous substances, such as coffee grounds, items containing xylitol, and other poisonous items such as chemical cleaning agents. In regard to your home, I am incredibly diligent about keeping windows and doors locked when I am around and when I am out. Nothing scares me more than the thought of a loose pet or someone getting into a home while I am gone and will go to great lengths to make sure neither of those things happen on my watch. ———————————————————— Safety: I would like to think I’m pretty fun and cool, but I’m actually quite a stickler when it comes to safety. When walking especially, I will avoid people and dogs without a second thought because I don’t want your dog to either react negatively and get into a bad situation or end up getting attacked by a reactive/aggressive dog. I’m a quick walker, carry treats on me for emergencies, and am physically capable of picking up dogs up to about 80-100 pounds. Extra large dogs I am able to control by making them do a sit and holding their collar until they’re calm or non-resistant. If they do not sit, I will block them until they listen and relax. I use obedience basics to ensure a safe and trusting relationship with the pets I watch, whether or not we are on a walk. My method when a dog is acting naughty is to ignore them, take treats away, and if necessary I can crate them.
Home
Information Erika G. would like to know about your pet
Please provide information on health status, past traumas, medication regiments, sleeping/eating schedule (if applicable), vet info, emergency contact info, breed information, and other important info on personality quirks.
A typical day
Every pet is different and every day is different. For me, every time I visit a pet, or they come to see me, I get the basics and most important things done first. Those things are potty, water, food, and if applicable, medicine. Then, once we have the basics covered, we can focus on exercise, play, cuddles, snack time, and perhaps some training and obedience work if we have time. If your dog is friendly with other dogs, my pup, Mysti, can come in and tire them out as well. She can walk with them, play with them, and run around in the yard with them.
Erika G.
St. Charles, IL