I have one small dachshund at home who is seven years old, and one cat who is a year and a half. I will also house sit cats. When we got a new kitten last summer I successfully curbed her instincts and trained her not to attack the kitten. Some friends in Baltimore have a big Irish Wolf Hound whom I spent a week with and walk whenever I'm with them as a favor. I have helped friends dog-walk big dogs. I can easily manage myself around strange dogs and know how to speak to them. I had a neighbor with a dying dog who I was charged with taking care of for 30 minutes a day so help her go to the bathroom comfortably.