Here is my transcript from a recent (and very strict!) interview while still living in Los Angeles. I am now working in NYC again and am available immediately for in-home pet care and/or dog walking services. Thanks for reading! :) INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT Q: Are you available to take services on Thanksgiving and or Christmas, plus other major holidays during the year? A: Yes. It’s still a ways from now, but I could probably make Thanksgiving and/or Christmas work. All other holidays are totally fair game - always. I am passionate about working with dogs and making sure they receive the best care possible. 

 Q: Do you have a cell phone and how often do you check your messages and emails? A: I do. I have an iPhone 5C and I check email and messages as soon as my phone alerts me that something new has been delivered. In the rare case that it’s fully silenced? I still check texts and emails every 15-20 minutes or so. 

 Q: Do you have daily access to a computer and ability to print and scan for this job? A: Yes. I have a printer and a Mac laptop. The laptop goes with me pretty much everywhere. 


 Q: Do you have texting ability on your phone? A: Yes, and I text quite frequently. 

 Q: Do you have any formal dog training, vet tech or pet sitting experience or education? A: Yes, my extensive resume can easily be emailed for review. I have worked for Healthy Spot in daycare, additionally I worked part time in their grooming department and also in dog-specific retail sales. I have also worked in other boutiques such as the NY-based Trixie and Peanut which also caters to pet owners and their love of canines. :)
 Q: Are you able to dispense subcutaneous injections for a diabetic dogs/cats? If not, are you interested in learning? A: I have never done it but I’ll certainly be interested in learning how to do so. 

 Q: Are you comfortable taking dogs off-leash to the dog park or permitted dog beaches or trails? A: Yes, but only IF the dogs are pre-approved by my trusted supervisors or have been behaviorally evaluated by a trusted trainer. They must not be characterized as "dog-aggressive". If the dog or dogs have not been pre-approved, then no, I would not be comfortable with anyone going off-leash. As a dog owner myself, I see how frequently dogs can get into fights at dog parks when off-leash and that is usually due to careless dog walkers and owners who don’t keep eyes on their doggie clients.
 Q: Are there any breeds of dogs or types of animals you are not comfortable caring for? A: I used to have a slight fear of Rottweilers growing up but have not had a problem with them in the past 15 years. As long as the dog is not constantly showing his/her teeth, I can get along with pretty much anyone! :)

 Q: How would you handle yourself in any stressful situation with a pet? A: That would depend on the type of stressful situation. If the dog were to suddenly have aggressive tendencies, I would probably refrain from making eye contact with the dog, keep him on a firm, short leash and scold him verbally with words like “NO” and “BAD” if he tried to bite me or anyone else around me. I am familiar with the Milan approach in which you pin the dog but I have chosen not to do that to discipline my own dog so for experience reasons only, I would rely on verbal scolding. I never overdo it though...too much scolding can easily be tuned out. I choose my commands and my delivery/timing of those commands carefully. Also, the more concise - the better. Short verbal commands are always better than longer phrases like "Don't growl like that!" I've seen many new owners make that mistake. 
 Q: If you were pet sitting for a traveling client whose dog required 2 walks a day, what time of day would you visit the dog? A: Some time between 7am and 10am (depending on what the dog was used to) and probably again between 5pm and 7pm.

 Q: What types of duties do you think this client would ask you to perform during the above service?
 A: I would play with the dog - play catch with a ball or frisbee, toss his/her toes around to fetch, cuddle/wrestle and I’d also take the dog out for 2 walks. One at each end of the day. These walks would involve plenty of exercise and would each last up to about 1/2 an hour. Before leaving, I would also make sure the dog had have plenty of water in close proximity. Q: How would you assimilate a new dog to the "pack"? A: I would let the other members of the pack have about 20-30 minutes with the new dog (all dogs would be on short but relaxed leashes) in a contained environment before assuming that all of the dogs assigned to walk together were in fact ok to walk (and/or travel) together regularly. I would also be sure to pick up the new dog (if about 30 lbs and under) to see how he reacts/reacted to my physical touch.

 Q: Do you have a fully secured enclosed yard if able to board or do daycare? A: No, unfortunately I do not. Not yet.
 Q: How long do you think is allowable to leave a dog unattended in our care? A: Based on my dogsitting experience AND how I like to care for my own dog Teddy, I would say no longer than 3 hours if possible. 


 Q: Have you or are you currently working for another Pet Sitting and Dog Walking company? A: No, I am not currently working for anyone and in the past, I only worked on my own as an independent contractor. I was usually only approached for dogsitting jobs while working during the day at Healthy Spot (see website) or by close friends and friends-of-friends. :)