5.0

In our home, pets are not just guests—they become part of our extended family. We strive to create a welcoming and comfortable environment while also maintaining clear boundaries for safety and structure. Our fully fenced-in backyard provides space for play and potty breaks. Although it is enclosed, we ask that owners inform us if their dog is an escape artist, as we have many dogs in our neighborhood and cannot risk a dog getting out. To maintain a safe and clean space, we have dog gates restricting access to the kitchen and bedroom areas. Our kitchen leads to the basement, and we have noticed that unsupervised dogs may wander downstairs and have accidents where we cannot see them. However, if we are in the basement, dogs are more than welcome to join us under our supervision. We strongly encourage meet-and-greets, especially for dogs who have never been boarded, have not stayed in another home, or may be fearful in a new environment. We want every pet to feel comfortable here, but just as importantly, we want our home to remain a safe space for our own animals and for us. Unfortunately, we have encountered situations where owners were hesitant to fully disclose their dog’s behavior, resulting in aggressive incidents toward us or our pets—something we take very seriously. If your dog has previously bitten another dog or shown any signs of aggression, our home is not the right fit. We are not willing to be test dummies. Our dogs—and even we—have been attacked or bitten during meet-and-greets and past stays, leaving both them and us traumatized. Because of these experiences, we are extremely selective about the dogs we allow into our home. Safety is our top priority, and we ask that owners be upfront and honest about their dog’s behavior. We understand that dogs may behave differently when their owners are not present, sometimes displaying signs of insecurity or anxiety. While we have experience with anxious dogs, we recognize that anxiety manifests in different ways and at varying levels. If a dog exhibits anxious or insecure behavior that includes nipping at other animals or us, we will reach out to the owner to discuss the behavior. If the owner is unresponsive or the dog escalates to aggression to the point where we cannot safely interact with them, we will have to contact Rover’s Trust & Safety team, which may involve further action, including police intervention. Please understand that this policy is in place for the well-being of all animals in our care, the safety of the people in our home, and the overall experience of each pet’s stay. While these situations are rare, we ask that owners respect our decisions if we determine that a dog is not a good fit for our environment. Open and honest communication about your pet’s behavior helps us create a safe, enjoyable space where they can thrive, play, and relax as if they were in the comfort of their own home.

Your pet will receive attention and care, as I work from home most days, allowing me to provide consistent companionship throughout the day. Potty breaks are given every 1-4 hours or as needed, ensuring your dog stays comfortable and happy. We'll enjoy activities like playing fetch in the yard, engaging in indoor games, and, if requested, going on walks for some fresh air and exercise. Please note that walks are an additional service that should be paid for during booking. However, when the weather is nice, we love taking our own dogs on walks, and if your dog is a good walker, we’re happy to bring them along at no extra charge. During colder months, such as winter, we typically do not take dogs on walks, as icy conditions and cold pavement can be harsh on their paws. We do not supply booties for other dogs, so if winter walks are important, owners will need to provide proper paw protection. Even though I work from home most days, I still have work responsibilities, including daily virtual or phone call meetings that require a quiet environment for an hour or two. If a client’s dog is excessively barking to the point where I cannot focus, I may need to leave the house temporarily to accommodate my other work responsibilities and return in a couple of hours. While we understand that dogs bark occasionally, excessive barking—such as barking every five minutes consistently—is not ideal for our home. We have had dogs in the past with uncontrollable barking, which is disruptive, so we ask owners to be upfront about their dog’s behavior before booking.