Maria N.
Maria N.
Highlights
Pet care experience
@TheBigDogWalkingco on socials
I share my home with six of my own beloved dogs, and caring for them is genuinely the best part of my day. Walking, training, playing, rehabbing, and just hanging out with them is my happy place. Every one of my dogs has been a rescue, and I’ve always had a soft spot for the pets who need a little extra patience, understanding, and skill. If you're worried yours is “too much,” a bit reactive, or needs a handler who won’t be fazed, I’m your woman. I’m experienced with multi-dog households, large-breed handling, and reactive behaviour management. My biggest dog was a 70kg mastiff, and my current crew includes a couple of Dachshunds, a couple of Dobermann, and a Terrier cross. I’ve cared for everything from kittens to Maine Coons, and Chihuahuas through to Beagles, Spaniels, Huskies, Great Danes, and more. I’m also IVDD-rehab experienced, with hands-on knowledge of crate rest management, mobility support, medication schedules, sling-walking, and caring for extra-needs pets safely and compassionately. Because of my own dogs, I have limited availability for house-sitting, but please feel free to message me and we can always chat through options. I know how stressful it is trying to find someone trustworthy, reliable, and genuinely experienced, and my goal is to help you give your pets the safest, happiest care possible. If you want someone who truly understands dogs with quirks, challenges, medical needs, or big personalities, I’d love to help.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Maria is such a great person! She did care of Ollie as her own dog! Recommended 100%! She is very experienced with big doggys like mine!
Paddy seemed very happy and well looked after with regular updates on how he is doing.
Maria was very responsive, kept us updated and instantly put us at ease as first time users of the service. Belle had the best day and we were able to enjoy our day away knowing she was in great hands. Highly recommend!
Maria has been great with Reggie. She has looked after him like we would. Reggie is now an old man and he should be allowed to do as much as he pleases.... a good rest. Thanks for looking after him, Maria
I can only say good things about Maria and have booked her more than once to look after my cats and chickens. The cats have quite specific diets and Maria has no trouble appreciating and accommodating this and their areas in the house have always been left cleaner than when I left! One of our cats is extremely aloof with people so seeing her actively go up and look for cuddles from Maria was more than enough proof that she's great with animals. She is very diligent and even spotted a health issue we had with one of the chickens whilst we were away, and every time we've come back to happy healthy chickens. I'm very happy to have found someone reliable and will certainly keep booking Maria.
Maria has looked after my two rescue beagles on multiple occasions, both for evenings and holidays. One of them is reactive with other dogs and the other one is a boisterous cuddler who loves everyone whether they like it or not. They are both complete flight risks who destroy toys like nobody’s business and destroy the house if they’re not walked. This is all to say that they are a handful and a half and I trust no one more than Maria to look after the two of them. You haven’t seen excited until you’ve seen Milo (the reactive one) greet Maria, she is his favourite person on the planet and I know why. Even though he scares some people and lots of dogs she understands him and meets his needs when others would shy away. She gives him the boundaries he loves and covers his head over with a blanket when he wants a nap. She also taught him not to pull on a lead which I will be forever grateful for. Maria is a fierce protector of the dogs in her care while also being the most gentle and kind person for them. She understands reactivity and she understands beagles!!
Calendar and availability
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ||||||
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
30 | 31 |
Schedule
I'm self employed and having my own dogs dictates most of my schedule so I'm flexible. I can accommodate on-the-day walking and drop in requests.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
I can offer a calm and quiet environment with play and training depending on your particular pet's needs. They want to snuggle under a blanket and watch reruns of Gilmore Girls? I got them. They wanna hike until they can't stand up anymore? I can do that too. They like their dinner warm and their water bowl with ice in it? At your service. I am here to help you provide the best life for your pets.
Pets
A typical day
What we get up to is totally dictated by your pet! They want blankets and massages whilst watching Judge Judy? I can do that. They want to go play fetch until I can't move my arms and their tongue hits the floor? Let's go! They need some extra work on desensitising them to the big wide world, other dogs, motorbikes or just leaving the house? Tell me what their favourite treats are and I can help you do this for them. My aim here is to give you and your pet what they need to make them happy, so you let me know what they love, and I'll do it.