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Karen L.

Ajax, ON

5.0 out of 5 stars
4 reviews
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These prices are for 1 dog, including a booking fee of 11%.

Services

Karen can host

16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs
Spayed and neutered dogs only
No females in heat
Takes only 1 client at a time

Availability

My home is a quiet, low-stress sanctuary where I work from home full-time, ensuring your dog is never left to wonder where their person went.

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Boarding Cancellation Policy:

About Karen L.

Communication

100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
100% bookings with photo updates

Skills

30 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

I pride myself on being an intuitive caregiver who speaks "dog." I’ll keep you updated with regular photos and check-ins so you can see your loyal companion is relaxed and respected.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has no pets
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs not allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Information Karen L. would like to know about your pet

1. Core Health & Safety Bite History & Aggression: Explicitly ask if the dog has ever bitten a person or another animal. Medical Conditions & Medications: Get a list of all health issues, current medications, dosages, and specific "tricks" (like hiding pills in cheese). Allergies: This is critical—some dogs have severe reactions to common treats or even certain types of grass. Vaccinations & Flea Prevention: Confirm they are up-to-date to protect your own pets or other clients' dogs. Emergency Contact & Vet Info: Get the name of their regular vet and a local 24/7 emergency clinic, plus a local secondary contact if the owner is unreachable 2. Daily Routine & Habits Feeding Schedule: Ask exactly how much, what brand, and when they eat. Also, ask about "resource guarding" (aggression over food or toys). Potty Routine: Are they fully house-trained? Do they use pee pads, or do they need a walk every 4 hours?. Sleeping Arrangements: Does the dog sleep in a crate, on a dog bed, or in the "human" bed?. Exercise Needs: How long are their typical walks? Are they high-energy or a "couch potato"?. 3. Behaviour & Triggers Leash Manners: Does the dog pull, bark at other dogs, or have "leash reactivity"?. Separation Anxiety: Can the dog be left alone? If so, for how long (e.g., 2 hours vs. 8 hours)?. Triggers & Fears: Are they afraid of thunderstorms, vacuum cleaners, or loud trucks?. Escape Artistry: Is the dog a "bolter" who tries to run out the front door or jump fences?

A typical day

Your pup will have: A fully fenced, secure yard for private patrol and playtime. A 5-minute stroll to the waterfront park and miles of trails for those high-intellect sniffing sessions. A lifelong dog lover with extensive care experience and a work-from-home schedule that lets me devote my full attention to your pup

Location

Ajax, ON

Karen L.'s Neighborhood

Your pup’s calm home away from home

Pet care experience

I offer more than just a place for your dog to stay—I provide a dedicated, home-away-from-home experience tailored to their specific pace. I don’t just "watch" dogs; I provide a structured, intuitive environment tailored to breeds and needs that other sitters might find challenging. I truly enjoy and understand the unique temperaments of Chow Chows, Akitas, Old English Sheep Dogs, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. I have extensive experience with these intelligent, loyal, and sometimes stoic breeds. I know they require a sitter who respects their boundaries, understands their protective instincts, and knows how to build trust through calm, confident leadership. Whether your pup is a "one-person" dog or needs a structured environment to feel secure, I’m equipped to provide exactly that. Having cared for my own seniors, I understand the nuances of aging—from managing precise medication schedules and mobility assistance to recognizing the subtle signs of discomfort. *please inbox to inquire if not seeing availability on the calendar.

Reviews

Joana S.
Boarding • May 03, 2026
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She was our first dog sitter through the Rover app, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. She took such great care of our dog, and we could tell Jasper had a fantastic time while we were away. She also kept us updated with texts, videos, and pictures, which gave us so much peace of mind. We would definitely love to book her again in the future!

Adrian F.
Boarding • Apr 16, 2026
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Karen took wonderful care of Mochi from April 9–14. From the start, she was reliable, communicative, and clearly experienced with dogs. Mochi was happy, well looked after, and settled in comfortably under her care. Karen provided regular updates, which gave great peace of mind while we were away. It was clear Mochi received plenty of attention, exercise, and affection throughout the stay. I wouldn’t hesitate to trust Karen again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a caring and dependable dog sitter.

Aileen H.
Apr 01, 2026

Our experience with Karen was absolutely wonderful! From the moment we met her, it was clear she genuinely loves and understands dogs. Our Old English Sheepdog can be a bit high-maintenance (and very fluffy!), but Karen handled everything with patience, care, and lots of affection. We received regular updates and photos, which gave us so much peace of mind while we were away. It was obvious our pup felt comfortable, happy, and well cared for the entire time. We came home to a relaxed, well-exercised dog—and maybe even a slightly better-behaved one! We wouldn’t hesitate to trust Karen again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable, caring dog sitter! Karen gave me peace of mind to leave my Dog for three weeks and I was able to enjoy my vacation!

Lei G.
Mar 26, 2026

I cannot recommend Karen enough! She has truly been a ‘dog whisperer’ her entire life. Having grown up with dogs and personally owned and cared for them for over 30+ years, she has a level of experience and intuition you just can’t teach. Whenever she watches my pup, I get regular updates and photos, and it’s clear they are having the best time. She is incredibly patient, reliable, and treats every dog like a member of her own family. If you want the peace of mind that comes with lifelong, seasoned dog lover, she is the perfect choice!

About Karen L.

Communication

100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
100% bookings with photo updates

Skills

30 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Senior dog experience
Special needs dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Safety, trust & environment

I pride myself on being an intuitive caregiver who speaks "dog." I’ll keep you updated with regular photos and check-ins so you can see your loyal companion is relaxed and respected.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has no pets
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs not allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Information Karen L. would like to know about your pet

1. Core Health & Safety Bite History & Aggression: Explicitly ask if the dog has ever bitten a person or another animal. Medical Conditions & Medications: Get a list of all health issues, current medications, dosages, and specific "tricks" (like hiding pills in cheese). Allergies: This is critical—some dogs have severe reactions to common treats or even certain types of grass. Vaccinations & Flea Prevention: Confirm they are up-to-date to protect your own pets or other clients' dogs. Emergency Contact & Vet Info: Get the name of their regular vet and a local 24/7 emergency clinic, plus a local secondary contact if the owner is unreachable 2. Daily Routine & Habits Feeding Schedule: Ask exactly how much, what brand, and when they eat. Also, ask about "resource guarding" (aggression over food or toys). Potty Routine: Are they fully house-trained? Do they use pee pads, or do they need a walk every 4 hours?. Sleeping Arrangements: Does the dog sleep in a crate, on a dog bed, or in the "human" bed?. Exercise Needs: How long are their typical walks? Are they high-energy or a "couch potato"?. 3. Behaviour & Triggers Leash Manners: Does the dog pull, bark at other dogs, or have "leash reactivity"?. Separation Anxiety: Can the dog be left alone? If so, for how long (e.g., 2 hours vs. 8 hours)?. Triggers & Fears: Are they afraid of thunderstorms, vacuum cleaners, or loud trucks?. Escape Artistry: Is the dog a "bolter" who tries to run out the front door or jump fences?

A typical day

Your pup will have: A fully fenced, secure yard for private patrol and playtime. A 5-minute stroll to the waterfront park and miles of trails for those high-intellect sniffing sessions. A lifelong dog lover with extensive care experience and a work-from-home schedule that lets me devote my full attention to your pup

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.
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Karen L.

Ajax, ON

5.0 out of 5 stars
4 reviews