Working with dogs is my passion. I foster rescue dogs and have spent years as a coach at a dog camp for kids. In this role, I have three years of experience working with kids on training all different dogs--from the relaxed to the reactive, the tiny to the huge. :) I also love spending time learning about dog behavior. Although I would consider myself a novice, I have specifically been learning about positive reinforcement training and caretaking for dogs who present with reactive or anxious behaviors. If this sounds like something you would like to work with me on, please reach out and we can come up with a plan that works for you. My priority is building a trusting relationship with you as well as your dog. I will take your lead in learning your dogs needs and what you expect from me as your dog's caretaker. I will provide suggestions and guidance for ways that I could make my time taking care of your dog even better (do we want to practice some training? Would you like me to go for a short walk around the block? Is there an enrichment activity I could set up for your dog before I leave?). As a former public school teacher with experience teaching students with adverse life experiences, I know how hard it is to leave your students with a person who might not understand them and might hinder the classroom experience you've been fostering all year. I hope to be the person that you trust fully to hand over the leash to without a second thought. I'm currently a dog mom to Yuri, a high-energy, stubborn, and affectionate standard poodle and Gus, a food motivated pit bull mix puppy who loves to cuddle and chew whatever he can get his paws on. My goal is to truly be your substitute dog mom and take care of your dogs the way I would want somebody to take care of my own. Please do not hesitate to reach out with your specific dog care needs!