Melissa M.
Toronto, ON
Experience with challenging dogs
Pet care experience
As an owner of 2 challenging dogs, I know the struggle of finding someone you trust to care for your animal. I am well versed in handling dogs with leash reactivity towards dogs, humans, and other animals. I will not put your dog in potentially dangerous or uncomfortable situations - your dogs safety is my number one concern. I have experience handling and working with rescue dogs, working breed dogs, high drive dogs, fear aggression, stranger danger, separation anxiety and more. I have a strong understanding of dog body language and dog behaviour. I used balanced training with my dogs and I am familiar using flat collars, harnesses martingales, slip leads, halti’s, herm sprenger prong collars and transitional leashes. I can provide structured walks or decompression style walks depending on your preferences and your dogs needs.
Reviews
Melissa has taken care of all three of my large dogs several times over the past few years and my dogs love her! She tires them out with her walks and they come home happy and ready to sleep! She always shows up on time and takes them out as long as I ask her to. She is very responsible and makes sure to lock the door when she leaves. Very happy with her services!
Melissa has taken care of my animals many times. She is so sweet and caring towards them I would highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for someone to care for their animals. Melissa is passionate towards my pets and they always look forward to going with her.
Melissa has been such a life saver by helping me take care of my 2 golden retrievers, Frankie and Bella. I work really long hours so Melissa comes to my house and walks the dogs around lunch time when I can’t get away from the office, sometimes I even get her to come twice a day when I stay at the office late. Melissa is such a friendly person and makes sure that my puppies don’t get lonely sitting in the house all day while I’m at the office or out for the evening. She always takes them on long walks in the ravine near our neighbourhood. She’s very reliable and will always accommodate me and my hectic schedule! She is really a life saver and my dogs love her. I highly recommend Melissa as a dog walker!
Melissa was a great dog sitter! I went away to Punta Cana for a week and needed someone to baby sit my French Bulldog. Melissa reached out and I thought I would give her a try, she exceeded my expectations. She took him on multiple walks, feed him on time and played with him! Best part of all is she sent me updates via text messages with cute pics of my puppy having a blast. It was practically a vacation for him. She was easy to contact and extremely reliable. I now use her for the occasional night or weekend sitter.
About Melissa M.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Given the environment of midtown Toronto, I will always avoid dog parks or areas where off leash dogs frequent. Your dog will not be approached by other dogs and I do not allow on leash greetings or safety reasons.
Information Melissa M. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know if any behavioural issues ahead of time and how they are on leash. If your dog is large, pulls very hard and is leash reactive I will likely suggest a different tool to keep everyone safe and happy.
A typical day
I prefer to do structured walks that include portions of walking with me in a heel and portions of free time where the dog can sniff and explore (on leash). I am also happy to play fetch or tug on a long line to meet the needs of higher energy dogs require outlets for their energy and drive that leashes walks to not meet. I usually go to June Rowland park or school yards depending on time of day and if school is in session.
Services
Melissa can watch in your home
Availability
I am available for early morning, lunch time, or evening walks during the week and on weekends. I have 2 dogs so I can bring one of my dogs if you’d like your dog to have more exposure to a trained, neutral and social dog please let me know.
About Melissa M.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Given the environment of midtown Toronto, I will always avoid dog parks or areas where off leash dogs frequent. Your dog will not be approached by other dogs and I do not allow on leash greetings or safety reasons.
Information Melissa M. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know if any behavioural issues ahead of time and how they are on leash. If your dog is large, pulls very hard and is leash reactive I will likely suggest a different tool to keep everyone safe and happy.
A typical day
I prefer to do structured walks that include portions of walking with me in a heel and portions of free time where the dog can sniff and explore (on leash). I am also happy to play fetch or tug on a long line to meet the needs of higher energy dogs require outlets for their energy and drive that leashes walks to not meet. I usually go to June Rowland park or school yards depending on time of day and if school is in session.
Location
Toronto, ON
Melissa M.
Toronto, ON