My brother and his wife have a husky who's very excitable and every time I'm around the dog, I'm able to calm her down and make her feel more relaxed in any environment she's in... That (among many other reasons) is why they call me a 'dog whisperer'. :) My family got our first dog when I was nine years old. Seventeen years later and six months into being without a dog in my life, I got a dog of my own. I've just realized that life is simply better taking care of dogs, whether they're my own or not. I have watched others' dogs anywhere between 2-3 times a month. I like taking the dogs for walks/runs (depending on their physical ability), to dog parks, or wherever else they like to go. My own dog loves car rides, so sometimes we'll just go for a drive. :) I have stayed at others' homes to do it, I've taken them into my own home, and I've been the dog-walker. I prefer to watch the dogs in their own homes (though I'm very open to having them stay with me), as that's what they're most familiar with - it's easier for me to adjust to new surroundings than it is for a dog, so why not go to them? :)