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Gretchen W.

San Marcos, CA

5.0 out of 5 stars
72 reviews
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Pro DOG & HOME SITTER, 36+ YEARS!

Pet care experience

Hello! I’m Gretchen! I have 36yrs of special, professional in-home dog and house sitting! *I know ELDERLY, PUPPIES, ANXIETY, TRIPAWDS, HYPER, PARALYZED & SICK dogs and have many expert references and experiences to share with you, upon request. I first started babysitting my neighbor’s dogs in OC when I was about 16, and all through college, then in LA, now in SD for 20 years!!! I’m an empty-nester (my son is 24!) and I’m now taking on some new clients! Most of my clients have been by word of mouth. I mostly live by San Marcos and also on the beach down south! I house and dogsit for dogs all over, (usually 100 miles) to accommodate all my current & future clients! I’ve even been known to fly to St. Louis, Washington, and Florida to watch special clients’ pets when they go on vacation! I’d really love to meet YOUR fur babies! I have so many repeat clients/references, some going back more than 23 years, with multiple pets. I’ve never met a dog I don’t ADORE, they all are so much fun getting to know! I’m familiar with most breeds. XLarge to XSmall. I’ve recently fallen in love with all Doodles! I love Great Danes to tiny Chihuahuas! I love dogs that like a lot of exercise and also ones that are snuggle bugs. I’ve recently sat for 3 German Shorthaired Pointer and 2 cats for 2 weeks, so that was exciting! I have so many awesome regulars! My clients are all exceptionally high-end, kind and animal-loving and would be thrilled to personally vouch for me! HOUSE-SITTING: I pet sit for most of my clients IN THEIR OWN homes. (Talk about Netflix and chill with dogs!) I also love exploring your neighborhood, with my new furry-friend tourist guide! Dogs love to have visitors that stay and play! I AM THANKFULLY AN EARLY RETIRED GAL, thanks to my good investments and choices. I will be home with them, all day, every day, so your pup will get lots of attention! I’m familiar with dogs who have special diets and also familiar with giving medicine (including injections) to them. I know canine first-aid and I’ve witnessed CPR administered to a dog. I have sat for dogs during epileptic events. I’ve babysat MULTIPLE tri-pawds, (3legs) so I’m familiar with a sling, hoisting and guiding dogs up and down stairs, carrying them up and downstairs and sometimes in and out of vehicles. I’ve made multiple trips to the ER with some senior dogs and am very responsible and capable. Every doggie has a little voice and I want to get to know yours! I think dogs are just like our children, so I understand the importance of taking tender loving care of them. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions that you may have, and I will answer them to the best of my ability. I want this experience to be enjoyable for all of us! Please read my whole profile, as it contains much of my information and I always like to speak with you directly, too! Also, like I stated above, I have references available. I am relatively new to Rover (2 years) but have been doing this for over 36 years! I always reply the minute is see my message!l from you! 99% of time you’ll get a reply within 1 minute of sending your message, and my answer will most always be “Yes! I can!” **Please take note that if your fine pooch is other-dog-aggressive, or if the breed is considered to be as such, there’ll be $10/day added, and this includes mixes. Sometimes weekends will be more than the regular weekend quoted on here, due to availability, as written above. I will just add this on to the Rover quote after/while we speak, but please do expect it. Thank you! ***Please always take note of the FINAL quote when you put in your request, BEFORE you reach out. It may change with my availability schedule and of course with your situation.*** I am always available for your dog, to sit or lean against me! LOL! I give good rubs and scratches! I know when the cue is that your pooch has to go out and I can follow your feeding, waking and sleeping schedule, perfectly.

Reviews

Kathy N.
Mar 06, 2024

Gretchen and Donald are amazing! They made everything so easy for me and were so accommodating to my last minute travel changes. They sent me pictures of Winston the whole time I was away and took such good care of him. He had a ball with them. They gave him so much play time and affection. It was so comforting knowing he was in good hands. They are definitely my go to dog sitters now because I can leave my little guy in peace knowing he is having a great time. I can’t recommend them enough or show my gratitude for being so great!

Jessica W.
Jan 12, 2024

I am so very grateful to Gretchen. She agreed to watch my pup with very little notice while I was mourning my dying cat. She sent me lots of pictures of my dog at the beach and in her beautiful home, and I know my dog was well taken care of and loved. Can't recommend her enough.

Sarah C.
Dog Boarding • Aug 31, 2023
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Gretchen was fantastic! I was nervous about leaving my 10 week old puppy, Millie, for a few days, but Gretchen instantly made me feel at ease with by being so sweet and having so much experience. I thought Millie would forget what I had already taught her, but Gretchen continued the training and was a huge help! I absolutely plan on leaving Millie with Gretchen again!

Jolie F.
Aug 22, 2022

I can't say enough about how great Gretchen was with our beloved 15 year old Lab! Due to our dog's age and health issues, we had been boarding him at our Vet's office when we go out of town. Unfortunately, they closed their boarding facility and we needed someone to come to our home to watch him. He can't be left alone for too long and has some mobility and other issues. I was so nervous leaving him with someone we didn't know and didn't know our dog but Gretchen had great references (all whom gave glowing reviews) and she put my mind at ease just speaking with her. Our dog (and home) were well taken care of, she sent pictures and updates and even had to take our dog to the vet for a very unpleasant issue. She handled the situation with care and urgency and kept us updated. Luckily he is fine, thanks to Gretchen's getting him to the vet right away. I highly recommend Gretchen for your pet sitting needs and I would definitely use her again!

About Gretchen W.

Communication

5 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

36 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
First aid/CPR
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

I've mostly been doing In-Your-Home Dog/House Sitting jobs, while pet parents go on long term or short term trips. It’s what I love to do!

Home

Lives in an apartment
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has no pets
No children present
Dogs allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Information Gretchen W. would like to know about your pet

I need to know your dog’s regular activity & energy level and want to know what you’re looking for me to do for them, to ensure their comfort. I’d like to know their special diets or medications (if any) and also your vet’s information. I have a lot of special knowledge and experience with paralyzed, extremely ill, blind, deaf and/or elderly dogs. Please let me know your dog’s normal feeding schedule and any fears he/she may have (like vacuuming or doorbells.) If your fur baby is considered an aggressive breed or not other-dog friendly, an additional fee will be added, after we speak, positively. When you request to schedule with me, please explain anything I should know, I have all the time to talk about your pet! Communication is our key, because I want your pup to be happy and safe with me! I honestly look forward to having fun with your dog and get some good photos for YOU!! Thank you for reading all of this and I hope you choose ME! **PLEASE do look at the prices quoted! They are there for a reason, prices are per dog. Reach out anytime! Thanks you so much! Yours, Gretchen

A typical day

I love playing games of fetch, and snuggling up to a good movie! I am the kind of person who constantly talks to dogs, as if they are people- I just can’t help it!! I’m really used to Velcro Dogs- they type that just follow me around, from room to room, wanting to be with me, always! I Love that!

Services

Boarding
in the sitter's home
$140per night
House Sitting
in your home
$140per night
Doggy Day Care
in the sitter's home
AWAY

Gretchen can host

0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs
Takes only 1 client at a time

Gretchen can watch in your home

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs

Availability

Dog sitting is my 100% full time (fun) job now, so I am not on conference calls, not on Zooms, not checking in with anyone, anywhere, except for YOU! I recently was remarried and my husband is a dog sitter, also! (One with a law degree;) We have so much fun!

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Calendar last updated 16 hours ago
Gretchen can host up to 2 dogs per day
Doggy Day Care Cancellation Policy:

About Gretchen W.

Communication

5 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

36 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
First aid/CPR
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

I've mostly been doing In-Your-Home Dog/House Sitting jobs, while pet parents go on long term or short term trips. It’s what I love to do!

Home

Lives in an apartment
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has no pets
No children present
Dogs allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Information Gretchen W. would like to know about your pet

I need to know your dog’s regular activity & energy level and want to know what you’re looking for me to do for them, to ensure their comfort. I’d like to know their special diets or medications (if any) and also your vet’s information. I have a lot of special knowledge and experience with paralyzed, extremely ill, blind, deaf and/or elderly dogs. Please let me know your dog’s normal feeding schedule and any fears he/she may have (like vacuuming or doorbells.) If your fur baby is considered an aggressive breed or not other-dog friendly, an additional fee will be added, after we speak, positively. When you request to schedule with me, please explain anything I should know, I have all the time to talk about your pet! Communication is our key, because I want your pup to be happy and safe with me! I honestly look forward to having fun with your dog and get some good photos for YOU!! Thank you for reading all of this and I hope you choose ME! **PLEASE do look at the prices quoted! They are there for a reason, prices are per dog. Reach out anytime! Thanks you so much! Yours, Gretchen

A typical day

I love playing games of fetch, and snuggling up to a good movie! I am the kind of person who constantly talks to dogs, as if they are people- I just can’t help it!! I’m really used to Velcro Dogs- they type that just follow me around, from room to room, wanting to be with me, always! I Love that!

Location

San Marcos, CA

Gretchen W.'s Neighborhood
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Gretchen W.

San Marcos, CA

5.0 out of 5 stars
72 reviews