In addition to the years I've spent taking care of family dogs, I've spent the past five years fostering a variety of rescue dogs of all breeds and sizes. I've helped to foster and adopt out more than 15 rescue dogs at this point, with each one holding a special place in my heart! I have plenty of experience with dogs who are nervous, anxious, or shy. A lot of my foster dogs have come in being very nervous, understandably. I pride myself on creating a comfortable, relaxing environment for dogs to decompress. If they love to play and goof around, great! If they take more time to warm up to me, that's okay too! I usually find that sticking to a schedule, taking long walks around the neighborhood, and creating comfy spaces around the house where a dog can either be alone or snuggle up to me can do wonders for a nervous pup. My sidekick in all of this is my 5lb Brussels Griffon/chihuahua mix, Grizzy. He loves everyone he has ever met in his life - human, canine, or other :). While I do like to keep new dogs separate from Grizzy to start with in order to let them settle in a bit, dogs usually end up loving Grizzy just as much as I do. He's not huge on playing with other dogs, but loves hanging out with them wherever they are, whether that's in a comfy bed or looking out the back door into the neighborhood. If a dog needs space, then Grizzy is good with that too! If your dog needs a playmate to get their energy out, then Grizzy won't be a good fit; if your dog is looking for a snuggle buddy, though, Grizzy would be perfect! I'll make sure your dog is as comfortable in my home as they are in your own home. I'll have time for plenty of walks and playtime, as well as snuggles on the couch. I have most fosters sleep in a crate next to my bed, although if your pets are more comfortable snuggling up with you at night, they're welcome to sleep in my bed as well. I'm currently working from home full time, so I'd love to have your dog join me here at home! If you'd prefer, I'm available to stop by for a walk or a drop-in visit anytime during the day. I've fostered several rescue dogs over the past few years, all with varying levels of training and anxiety. I know how to make sure that a dog doesn't escape out the door or while on leash, when they may need more love, or when they're happier being left alone.