Merrick R.
Merrick R.
Contact for Boarding
from $55 per night
Highlights
Pet care experience
Private home boarding (1 dog only)
Hello! I’m Merrick, and my wife Catalina and I provide private, in-home boarding for one dog at a time here in Skokie. We both work from home, so your dog is rarely alone and receives consistent attention, care, and supervision throughout the day. Our goal is to create a calm, structured, low-stress environment—especially for dogs who don’t thrive in busy, multi-dog settings. Our home includes a large, securely fenced backyard for safe outdoor time, along with comfortable indoor spaces (including a finished basement) for relaxing. We follow a consistent daily routine with regular potty breaks, outdoor time, and opportunities for play or rest depending on your dog’s personality. We also have experience administering medications and caring for dogs with specific routines or needs. You’ll receive daily photo updates so you can see how your dog is doing while you’re away. If you’re looking for a safe, calm home with personalized care and attention, we’d be glad to host your dog.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Merrick and his wife have been our “go to” care givers for the past few years. Our dog has been well taken care of and feels completely at ease while in their care. They provide a warm and welcoming environment for our pet as well as regular exercise. I appreciate their many pictures and regular updates on our dogs well being. I would highly recommend their services.
Mickey again really joyed his stay with Merrick & family! We love the photo updates and know he’s being well taken care of while we’re away.
We can tell our pup had a great time staying with Merrick! He was very communicative, sent pictures every day, and we could tell, cared very much about the comfort of our pooch. We definitely would book again and highly recommend
Excellent care for our dog, Izzy! We received great updates and photos, and it was clear she was happy, comfortable, and well loved while we were away. We would absolutely trust them with Izzy again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a caring and reliable dog sitter.
Our pup Mickey really enjoyed his stay with Merrick & family! Communication throughout the whole process was clear and friendly, and we felt completely at ease having Mickey spend the night. I would definitely recommend Merrick to anyone looking for a sitter!
Merrick and his family were fabulous hosts for our Service Dog. Being a Service dog requires a lot more time and attention given they are used to working long hours everyday. We were delighted to see the pictures they shared with us and communication was great, leaving us relieved knowing she was in great hands. Will definitely use them again!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Pet care is built into our daily routine. My wife and I both work from home full-time, so dogs are rarely left alone and are supervised throughout the day. We follow a consistent schedule with morning and evening routines, regular potty breaks, and structured downtime. This predictable environment works well for dogs who are comfortable settling into a steady routine.
Where your pet will stay
Home characteristics
Safety, trust & environment
We provide a safe, controlled home environment designed to minimize stress and maintain consistency. Doors are kept secure, dogs are always leashed when outside the yard, and we maintain a clean space with no accessible hazards. Because we host only one guest dog at a time, we’re able to closely monitor behavior, energy levels, and overall fit. Our home is best suited for dogs who are comfortable in a structured environment and can coexist calmly in a shared space.
A typical day
Days here are calm, structured, and consistent. Most dogs enjoy 3+ outings in our large fenced yard for sniffing and exploring. Inside, the environment is relaxed and low-key, with plenty of space to rest. We’re nearby throughout the day for supervision and attention, while allowing dogs to settle naturally without constant stimulation. This setup works best for dogs who are comfortable in a home environment and don’t require high levels of ongoing intervention.