John W.
Winter Garden, FL






Services
John can host
Availability
I work from home with a flexible schedule, which means your dog will get plenty of attention, care, and companionship throughout the day. Whether your pup thrives on routine, loves spontaneous play, or just wants a cozy nap buddy, I’m here to match their vibe. Daily walks are already part of my routine, and I’m happy to add in extra leash walks or outdoor time to keep your dog exercised and happy. Your pup is more than welcome to lounge on the couch or pick a favorite spot—this is their home away from home! After school and on weekends, my three dog-loving kids join the fun, ready to play fetch, offer extra snuggles, and make sure your dog feels like part of the family. From morning tail wags to evening belly rubs, your pup will never feel alone—and you’ll always get updates to see the fun they’re having.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
About John W.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
Your dog’s safety and comfort are our top priorities. We live in a spacious, two-story home with hardwood floors—so don’t worry if your pup has an accident. We understand that happens and are happy to keep things clean and stress-free. Our screened-in back patio offers a secure space for fresh air and play, and we’re currently installing a full privacy fence to give dogs even more freedom to explore safely. Our quiet, family-friendly neighborhood is perfect for peaceful leash walks—cars drive slowly, and the sidewalks are full of friendly faces. Inside, our home is calm, smoke-free, and full of love. Our three children (ages 7 to 10) are gentle, kind, and well-trained themselves when it comes to showing respect and affection to every dog who visits. Whether your pup needs belly rubs, playtime, or just a comfy spot to curl up, they’ll be treated like part of the family. With 30+ years of hands-on experience as a dog owner and former kennel employee, I know how to spot the early signs if something isn’t quite right—and I’ll act quickly, communicate clearly, and get the right help if needed. When your dog stays with us, you can relax knowing they’re in safe, capable, and loving hands.
Home
Information John W. would like to know about your pet
To make your dog feel completely at home, we’d love to learn a few important things before their stay: • Does your dog have any history of aggression or behavioral issues? For the safety of our family and other pets in the neighborhood, we’re not able to accommodate dogs with past or present aggressive behavior. • What’s your dog’s daily routine? Knowing your pup’s normal habits—when they eat, sleep, play, and go for walks—helps us maintain consistency and comfort. • Do they have any special needs, medications, or food allergies? We’re happy to administer medication, accommodate food restrictions, and provide any extra care your dog needs. • What’s their diet and feeding schedule like? Please bring along their food, and let us know the portion size and frequency of meals so we can stick to your routine. • Do they have favorite toys or comfort items? We love playing with our guests and want to make sure they have familiar items that help them feel secure. • Can we treat them to a homemade dog cookie? For first-time guests, we’d love to bake a special welcome treat (with your permission, of course)! Our goal is to be as loving and comforting for your dog as possible. We want our home to be your pet's favorite vacation destination.
A typical day
A typical day in our home is calm, consistent, and filled with little moments of joy—perfect for dogs who crave both companionship and a bit of structure. During weekdays, our kids are at school, so the house stays quiet and relaxed. My wife and I both work from home, which means your dog will never be alone and will always have someone nearby for belly rubs, potty breaks, or a midday stroll. I love stepping away from the desk to take your pup on leash walks around our safe, slow-paced neighborhood. It’s great for both of us! Afternoons are when the fun ramps up. Once the kids are home, the backyard becomes our favorite hangout spot—playing fetch, tossing a ball, or just enjoying the fresh air together. We often walk to our nearby park as a family, and your dog is always welcome to join the adventure. Weekends follow a similar rhythm with extra room for fun. If you’re comfortable, we’d love to take your dog on outings to local parks or even a dog park to help with healthy socialization and new sights and smells. On Sundays, we attend church as a family, but it’s one of the only times your dog will be home alone—and even then, it’s never more than a few hours. Your pup will experience a balanced routine of rest, play, and love—with plenty of cuddles in between.
Location
Winter Garden, FL
Former Kennel Employee + Dog Lover
Pet care experience
Hi, I’m John Whitford—and I’m thrilled to team up with my daughter, Heidi, to care for your furry family members! With over 12 years of hands-on experience working in a professional kennel and a lifetime (30+ years!) of loving and caring for dogs, you can trust your pup is in expert hands. Whether you have a playful puppy or a gentle senior, we welcome all ages, breeds, and temperaments. I’ve trained animals, exercised with them daily, and understand the individual needs that come with every stage of a dog’s life. Although we don’t currently own a dog, that just means your pup gets our full attention and a calm, pet-free environment. We’re a family of five—my three children are all dog lovers and can’t wait to shower your pup with affection, snuggles, and playtime. From tail wags to tummy rubs, your dog will feel like part of our pack. Let us give your dog a loving, safe, and fun home-away-from-home!
Reviews

Our dog Toby had the best time with this family! They were so attentive to him and good with communicating with us during the 2 week stay at their home. We will soooo be using them again when we have to go out of town.
John Whitford is my pet sitter and I will continue to have dogs as long as John is in the pet sitting business.. I always make sure John is available before I book my cruises or my trips.. Otherwise I do NOT GO! Good work, John! Always…
About John W.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
Your dog’s safety and comfort are our top priorities. We live in a spacious, two-story home with hardwood floors—so don’t worry if your pup has an accident. We understand that happens and are happy to keep things clean and stress-free. Our screened-in back patio offers a secure space for fresh air and play, and we’re currently installing a full privacy fence to give dogs even more freedom to explore safely. Our quiet, family-friendly neighborhood is perfect for peaceful leash walks—cars drive slowly, and the sidewalks are full of friendly faces. Inside, our home is calm, smoke-free, and full of love. Our three children (ages 7 to 10) are gentle, kind, and well-trained themselves when it comes to showing respect and affection to every dog who visits. Whether your pup needs belly rubs, playtime, or just a comfy spot to curl up, they’ll be treated like part of the family. With 30+ years of hands-on experience as a dog owner and former kennel employee, I know how to spot the early signs if something isn’t quite right—and I’ll act quickly, communicate clearly, and get the right help if needed. When your dog stays with us, you can relax knowing they’re in safe, capable, and loving hands.
Home
Information John W. would like to know about your pet
To make your dog feel completely at home, we’d love to learn a few important things before their stay: • Does your dog have any history of aggression or behavioral issues? For the safety of our family and other pets in the neighborhood, we’re not able to accommodate dogs with past or present aggressive behavior. • What’s your dog’s daily routine? Knowing your pup’s normal habits—when they eat, sleep, play, and go for walks—helps us maintain consistency and comfort. • Do they have any special needs, medications, or food allergies? We’re happy to administer medication, accommodate food restrictions, and provide any extra care your dog needs. • What’s their diet and feeding schedule like? Please bring along their food, and let us know the portion size and frequency of meals so we can stick to your routine. • Do they have favorite toys or comfort items? We love playing with our guests and want to make sure they have familiar items that help them feel secure. • Can we treat them to a homemade dog cookie? For first-time guests, we’d love to bake a special welcome treat (with your permission, of course)! Our goal is to be as loving and comforting for your dog as possible. We want our home to be your pet's favorite vacation destination.
A typical day
A typical day in our home is calm, consistent, and filled with little moments of joy—perfect for dogs who crave both companionship and a bit of structure. During weekdays, our kids are at school, so the house stays quiet and relaxed. My wife and I both work from home, which means your dog will never be alone and will always have someone nearby for belly rubs, potty breaks, or a midday stroll. I love stepping away from the desk to take your pup on leash walks around our safe, slow-paced neighborhood. It’s great for both of us! Afternoons are when the fun ramps up. Once the kids are home, the backyard becomes our favorite hangout spot—playing fetch, tossing a ball, or just enjoying the fresh air together. We often walk to our nearby park as a family, and your dog is always welcome to join the adventure. Weekends follow a similar rhythm with extra room for fun. If you’re comfortable, we’d love to take your dog on outings to local parks or even a dog park to help with healthy socialization and new sights and smells. On Sundays, we attend church as a family, but it’s one of the only times your dog will be home alone—and even then, it’s never more than a few hours. Your pup will experience a balanced routine of rest, play, and love—with plenty of cuddles in between.
John W.
Winter Garden, FL
