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John W.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Profile image

John W.

5.0 out of 5 stars

Contact for Boarding

from $32 per night

Highlights

Enhanced background check
16 years of experience
Has a fenced yard
Home full time
Can administer medication
Special needs experience

Pet care experience

Former Kennel Employee + Dog Lover

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!

Qualifications

88% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
100% bookings with photo updates
16 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
First aid/CPR
Senior dog experience

Ratings and reviews

5.0
stars
3 ratings
Francesca F.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boarding • Jul 26, 2026

John was absolutely amazing with our dogs, Bleu and Simon! Bleu is our 80 lbs, 6 year old rescue mix and Simon is our energetic 1 year old Italian Greyhound, and John was incredibly patient, attentive, and loving with both of them. One of the things we appreciated most was how welcoming his entire family was. His three kids were so sweet with our dogs, and it was obvious that Bleu and Simon had an incredible time playing with them. It truly felt like they were part of the family instead of just being boarded. Throughout the weekend, John kept us updated with messages and photos, which gave us so much peace of mind while we were away. It was clear that our pups were getting plenty of attention, exercise, affection, and love. We couldn’t have asked for a better Rover sitter. If you’re looking for someone who will genuinely care for your pets like they’re his own, John is the one. We will absolutely be booking with him again the next time we need someone to watch Bleu and Simon. Thank you, John, for taking such great care of our babies!

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Sumaia R.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boarding • Jul 18, 2026

John was such an amazing find! i have nothing but great things to say about him and his kids! He clearly really knows a lot about dogs and how to take care of them, and made my senior dog feel super comfortable and welcome in his house. He is responsible and diligent and kept us posted with lovely pictures of Zidane snoozing peacefully or playing in his yard. Zidane didn’t even look back when I dropped him off! I will for sure be booking him again and recommend him to anyone looking for a caring home for their pets

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Jodi D.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boarding • Jul 19, 2025

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.

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Marilyn C.
Jan 20, 2023

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…

Calendar and availability

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Schedule

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.

Where your pet will stay

Home characteristics

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has no pets
Children 6-12 years old
Dogs allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 2-4 hours

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.

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.

0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs
Spayed and neutered dogs only
No females in heat
John can host up to 3 pets per night
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.
Each sitter joining Rover needs to pass a background check. And by booking on Rover, you can get photo & message updates, 24/7 support, and reimbursement for eligible vet care.