No breed preferences, per say. I love herding dogs (as mixed breeds, personally.) I’d like to come over and meet your dog, (regardless if it’s a walk dog, hang out dog, or sitting dog.) I don’t want your dog(s) to become awfully confused/frightened if I was to just show up when you're not home; me being a random stranger invading their territory. Also, I want you to be comfortable enough around me that you feel okay leaving you pet my care. I feel like that just can't happen without actually meeting beforehand. I like to see where the leash, poop bags, food, bowls, treats, etc are kept. Ask about any allergies, medications, feeding schedule/amounts, if they have any major fears (like fireworks,) or triggers (like squirrels,) and what they like best (like belly rubs or peanut butter.) This is not necessarily important for walk dogs or home visits, but if I'm petsitting (definitely if it's longer than a night or two,) I would need to bring my dog with me. Not the one pictured, (I feel as though I should mention that. Onyx is my soulmate, and was my ESD, but passed away in Dec 2017.) I have an Aussie/ Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Ret. Mix, named Copper, (he's in a couple other photos.) My wife works a full-time and a part-time job, and the days when she works both, she's not home from 8:30AM-9:30PM at the earliest, but she can be working as late as 1:30AM depending on the night. If she worked just a 9-5 it wouldn't be a big deal. Another reason for us to meet beforehand, Copper.

The walking area depends on where you live. I have multiple chuck-its (indoor & outdoor) depending on if you have a fence or not. I’m willing to take your dog somewhere; a local dog park, if they’re into that. (I used to be solely in charge of watching up to 50 dogs in a play yard at once, so I can tell the difference between playing, rowdy/vocal playing, and when someone isn’t playing anymore.) I've taken dogs of "mine" to Princeton, to the beach, to a 9 acre fenced in dog park (Timber Creek Dog Park, NJ), to New Hope & Lambertville. If your dog is food motivated, but maybe also a little shy or not quite sure of themselves yet, we could do “nose work” around your house. Using kibble, or small pieces of a stronger smelling treat (like a jerky.) I would put your dog away (in another room,) while I “hide” the treats. Starting in 1 or 2 rooms, placing them in visible, but not just on the floor types of places. I like to use stool legs, TV consoles, a fan base, and things that dogs avoid- like a vacuum, or having to go under something/in a tighter space than they normally would to get it. They really have fun with it, tails wagging the whole time, and when they face their fear(s), and I tell them how great they did, they get so excited. (Like a kid riding a bike without training wheels for the first time.) If they still like food, maybe too much? I have several treat balls I can put their kibble in, to make meal time last longer, (which is not only good for the brain, but also good for the gut, as slow eaters have less chance of bloating.) Cuddling is always an option- some dogs are perfectly content just hanging out, and that’s ok.