Esra A.
Millsmont, CA
Experienced In-Home Dog Trainer
Pet care experience
I've been working with dogs professionally and full-time since 2010, and I specialize in helping dogs with behavioral issues work on their social skills with other dogs. I spent 4 years in doggy daycares as a handler and a trainer, and the past 6 years doing pack hikes (off-leash group hikes) with more difficult dogs. My favorite way to use my skills is in supporting owners who are doing a lot of training at home, so they can get out of town or have some relief from all the hard work of behavior modification. Many of my clients felt trapped by their dog's behavior issues until they started working with me. Pet care is completely integrated into my lifestyle and routine. Right now I don't have a daily client walk schedule, so my overnight dogs get all of my attention. I'm a homebody, and attend college online, so my dogs are left alone only for a few hours at a time. Otherwise we're hanging out together at the house or in the yard. For boarding... - Everyone gets an hour of solid exercise every day, depending on each dog's needs and skills. This may be a group hike, a neighborhood walk with another dog, biking or fetch if they need something more vigorous. - Everyone sleeps overnight in a crate or on a tie-down with a dog bed. During the day, the dogs are able to co-mingle, if they have that kind of personality and trust with each other. Otherwise we are hanging out using tethers or taking turns using crates. - We have a decent size yard and the dogs are never left unattended outside. Typically they are on-leash outside, until they can be trusted to listen well with all the big neighborhood distractions (for example, neighbor cats, squirrels, dog walks by). - This neighborhood is very quiet and the neighbors are nice. Not too much car traffic, and is a really good fit for dogs who tend to be overwhelmed by city noises. Many good smells! - The only downside about this neighborhood is we are up a hill, so we do get noise from fireworks echoing to the house. If your dog is very, very sensitive to fireworks, it might not be a good fit. Most dogs who are semi-sensitive to fireworks don't have a problem here.
Reviews
Esra took great care of our dog Bailey! Bailey is very nervous around new people and it was really impressive how quickly Bailey felt comfortable with Esra. We felt well-informed and updated with pictures and notes during Bailey's stay, and it was clear Bailey was having a great time. Overall, I would highly recommend Esra for your pet-sitting needs!
Esra was fantastic with Blue! He's a bit of a wild child and she even took the time to work on his training (walking on leash). Overall, I felt updated and aware of Blue's complete happiness and the entire drop-off/pick-up process couldn't have been easier. Next time Blue needs a sitter, I hope Esra is available!
Esra is a true dog whisperer. They are so knowledgeable and intuitive about dog walking and training, and they are always surrounded by extremely well-behaved dogs. Esra is also very committed and attentive so I know all dogs are in great hands when they are in their care. They are also grounded and communicative, which makes planning and coordinating a pleasant experience. I give esra my highest recommendation!
For years Esra has been my number on recommendation for boarding in the East Bay. I'm a professional dog trainer and Esra is one of a select few people that I have ever felt comfortable leaving my dogs with. If you're looking for someone who is safe, knowledgable, honest and caring, you've found them. Esra is a true dog professional who has many years of experience training dogs and walking groups of dogs. They took on some of my more challenging client dogs and was able to walk them in a group without incident for years. Their management skills are exceptional and they can read dog body language and provide a secure and calm envronment for them to stay in. Esra is worth every penny. If you're a dog owner who is committed to the continued training and success of their dog, look no further. Esra does not have a house full of loose dogs that are left to figure things out (aka get into fights, practice bad habits etc). Dogs are given daily walks, training and careful supervision. Crates and supervised time loose are part of how things are kept safe. If you are anti crate/structured time and are looking for total freedom for your dog, they might not be the best match for you.
About Esra A.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Every day is different, and every dog gets an hour of exercise each day. This could be a group walk, a few solo training walks, or a hike, depending on the dog's skills and how well we know each other. (Biking, fetch, and flirt pole are other exercise options for more athletic dogs.) The focus in my services is on safety and structure, and positive social interactions. To help everyone feel as calm and comfortable as possible, I develop a relationship with the dogs that relies on space (giving more space to more nervous dogs), advocacy (ensuring your dog knows I won't let other dogs pick on them), and boundaries (ensuring your dog knows they're not allowed to pick on other dogs). This relationship is primarily built by going on walks with good leash manners, where we work on having no reactivity or pulling; and also by having structure in the home such as place beds, tethers, and crates, (depending on each dog's needs and prior training). As much as possible, the dogs can interact freely together, and this varies greatly from dog to dog.
Home
Information Esra A. would like to know about your pet
TO SET UP BOARDING FOR NEW CLIENTS: I like to have your dog stay for daycare or one boarding night prior to setting up a longer boarding stay. I don't do meet-and-greets with new dogs, but I'm happy to set up a phone or video call prior to your stay, and spend time talking together when you drop off your dog for the first time. **The first thing to do to initiate this process is to send a daycare/single night boarding request, on a date that's prior to your longer boarding stay, with a message about your full boarding needs.** Some other info I'll be curious about include: How long have you had your pet, and where did you get them from? Please describe a bit more about your dog's relationship with their crate. (I specialize in providing safe and structured pet care, for dogs with a wide variety of behavioral management needs. If possible, I prefer for boarding dogs to sleep in a crate overnight, and use it during the day if they are home alone or need some rest time. Otherwise, they are out being social, sunbathing, or exercising.) Please briefly describe your dog's social life with other dogs, over their lifetime and lately. (I specialize in boarding dogs who need extra support around their social interactions, and extra space, so it's ok if your dog isn't very social with other dogs.) Tell us about your dog's prior training, if any. If you've done private training, please list your trainer's name, when you worked with them, what you worked on/why you contacted them, and the extent of your work with them. What is your dog's typical daily or weekly exercise routine at home? What is their favorite way to exercise? What stood out to you about my profile? Why do you want to work with me?
A typical day
Depending on the dog, we will do some nice neighborhood strolls, or can go on a trail hike. I live near the East Bay Regional Parks, so that's a favorite spot. For very high-energy dogs, we can fetch in the yard, jog next to a bicycle, or play with a flirt pole (like a big cat toy for tug and chase). The yard is great for sunbathing, so another favorite pastime is hanging out in the yard with me while I do some gardening.
Services
Esra can host
Availability
I work at home and go to school from home, so my daily routine revolves around the dogs. Being an adult human, some days I am out for a few hours at a time. During this time, all dogs are either with me, or crated at home.
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About Esra A.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Every day is different, and every dog gets an hour of exercise each day. This could be a group walk, a few solo training walks, or a hike, depending on the dog's skills and how well we know each other. (Biking, fetch, and flirt pole are other exercise options for more athletic dogs.) The focus in my services is on safety and structure, and positive social interactions. To help everyone feel as calm and comfortable as possible, I develop a relationship with the dogs that relies on space (giving more space to more nervous dogs), advocacy (ensuring your dog knows I won't let other dogs pick on them), and boundaries (ensuring your dog knows they're not allowed to pick on other dogs). This relationship is primarily built by going on walks with good leash manners, where we work on having no reactivity or pulling; and also by having structure in the home such as place beds, tethers, and crates, (depending on each dog's needs and prior training). As much as possible, the dogs can interact freely together, and this varies greatly from dog to dog.
Home
Information Esra A. would like to know about your pet
TO SET UP BOARDING FOR NEW CLIENTS: I like to have your dog stay for daycare or one boarding night prior to setting up a longer boarding stay. I don't do meet-and-greets with new dogs, but I'm happy to set up a phone or video call prior to your stay, and spend time talking together when you drop off your dog for the first time. **The first thing to do to initiate this process is to send a daycare/single night boarding request, on a date that's prior to your longer boarding stay, with a message about your full boarding needs.** Some other info I'll be curious about include: How long have you had your pet, and where did you get them from? Please describe a bit more about your dog's relationship with their crate. (I specialize in providing safe and structured pet care, for dogs with a wide variety of behavioral management needs. If possible, I prefer for boarding dogs to sleep in a crate overnight, and use it during the day if they are home alone or need some rest time. Otherwise, they are out being social, sunbathing, or exercising.) Please briefly describe your dog's social life with other dogs, over their lifetime and lately. (I specialize in boarding dogs who need extra support around their social interactions, and extra space, so it's ok if your dog isn't very social with other dogs.) Tell us about your dog's prior training, if any. If you've done private training, please list your trainer's name, when you worked with them, what you worked on/why you contacted them, and the extent of your work with them. What is your dog's typical daily or weekly exercise routine at home? What is their favorite way to exercise? What stood out to you about my profile? Why do you want to work with me?
A typical day
Depending on the dog, we will do some nice neighborhood strolls, or can go on a trail hike. I live near the East Bay Regional Parks, so that's a favorite spot. For very high-energy dogs, we can fetch in the yard, jog next to a bicycle, or play with a flirt pole (like a big cat toy for tug and chase). The yard is great for sunbathing, so another favorite pastime is hanging out in the yard with me while I do some gardening.
Location
Oakland, CA
Pets
Esra A.
Millsmont, CA