Erika P.
Riley, MI
Fur, feathers, and scales--oh my!
Pet care experience
Hi all, I am a lifelong animal lover who grew up with multiple dogs and cats. My husband and I have a big house on 5 acres (with a fenced area for the dogs off of the house) and no kids. We do, however, have three cats and two large breed dogs. There are also two snakes in the house, but they are kept in closed rooms and only taken out when there are no other animals around. Outside, I also keep ducks, but they have a closed pen and do not free range so there's no chance of a neighbor dog getting them. We already watch family members' dogs on a regular basis because we have the space, and we've gotten so good at it, I've joked that I run a kennel. Well...I decided to make it less of a joke and more of a reality. I would be the primary carer for any boarded dogs. We have experience with all ages and sizes, ranging from my sister's 6-month-old corgi to my parents' 13-year-old boxer. Our dogs are 8-year-old littermates who are great with other dogs (example: patient with puppies and respectful of seniors). They are large breeds who are content to lay around all day. I attended all of the training classes for my dogs when they were puppies and would be glad to work with your dogs on basic commands. I also have experience with giving dogs simple injections and administering oral medications. Currently I work from home every other week, so there are times I am home all day and times when both my husband and I will be at work. We are never both gone for longer than 8 hours though. When we are are gone, I usually either crate doggie guests or lock them in a bedroom with the necessities just for their safety. I also have a remote camera where I can monitor what they are doing during the day. Finally, in case of emergency, there is an amazing vet right up the road that is very accommodating in a pinch. Otherwise, there is a 24-hour emergency vet a half hour away. Also, my uncle is a very accomplished vet and a few of my cousins have followed in his footsteps. They live and work in Big Rapids on the other side of the state, but I can usually reach at least one of them by phone if I have questions. As far as walking and home visits, in college I stopped in to care for many friends' dogs while they were out of town or out late studying. I also volunteered at the local animal shelter a few times a week and walked their adoptable dogs, so I have experience with all kinds of dogs on leashes.
Reviews
Erica did a fabulous job taking care of our cats while we were away. She goes above and beyond. I will for sure use her again.
Erika watched our 7-month-old corgi for 6 days while we were on vacation. This was our first time apart from Tilly and we felt confident that she was in good hands. Erika sent frequent updates and pictures, and we were able to enjoy our vacation without worrying about Tilly being alone in a cage at night or getting hurt at the kennel. Tilly loved socializing with Erika's dogs and cats, and she even got to check out the duck pen and explore their extensive property.
About Erika P.
Communication
Skills
Home
Information Erika P. would like to know about your pet
I always ask every dog owner about their dogs' normal daily routine--especially feeding time routines because I've found lots of dogs are hesitant to eat in a new place. Also, knowing what the dog is used to is helpful in making them feel comfortable in my home. Otherwise, I'd like to know what kind of treats they're allowed, what words you normally use to command them, and any other quirks you can think of that I should know about.
A typical day
Our house is pretty low-key and calm during the day. If the dogs are feeling restless while I'm working, I provide stimulation with kongs and other puzzle games. Also, we have a gated deck where my dogs love to lay in the sun. Otherwise, I take the dogs out for leashed walks around our 5 acres so they can smell all the wildlife and see the ducks. We have long leads so the dogs can run on those if they want, or we can just let them out to explore the fenced in dog run on their own time. After work, I have time to do whatever to help dogs burn off excess energy. Mostly we explore our property and play outside. There's no sidewalks on our paved road, but there's a nice dirt road next to us that is perfect for long scenic walks and a park with a wooded trail along the Belle River just a few minutes away. Really, I am flexible and can adapt my routine to whatever your dog is used to or needs to be happy and comfortable in my home.
Services
Erika can host
Erika can watch in your home
About Erika P.
Communication
Skills
Home
Information Erika P. would like to know about your pet
I always ask every dog owner about their dogs' normal daily routine--especially feeding time routines because I've found lots of dogs are hesitant to eat in a new place. Also, knowing what the dog is used to is helpful in making them feel comfortable in my home. Otherwise, I'd like to know what kind of treats they're allowed, what words you normally use to command them, and any other quirks you can think of that I should know about.
A typical day
Our house is pretty low-key and calm during the day. If the dogs are feeling restless while I'm working, I provide stimulation with kongs and other puzzle games. Also, we have a gated deck where my dogs love to lay in the sun. Otherwise, I take the dogs out for leashed walks around our 5 acres so they can smell all the wildlife and see the ducks. We have long leads so the dogs can run on those if they want, or we can just let them out to explore the fenced in dog run on their own time. After work, I have time to do whatever to help dogs burn off excess energy. Mostly we explore our property and play outside. There's no sidewalks on our paved road, but there's a nice dirt road next to us that is perfect for long scenic walks and a park with a wooded trail along the Belle River just a few minutes away. Really, I am flexible and can adapt my routine to whatever your dog is used to or needs to be happy and comfortable in my home.
Location
Riley, MI
Pets
Erika P.
Riley, MI