Michelle D.
Highland, Rochester, NY
Services
Michelle can host
Availability
We are an adventure duo -- you can catch us at the beach playing fetch in the water, hiking, or just taking long strolls along the canal! On days where the weather is rainy, we still get 3 walks a day (morning, noon, evening) with thorough wipe downs after! Meal times are interwoven with short training sessions. I have dedicated several rooms in my house to doggy activity areas -- agility equipment, floor mats, etc (see photos). Grooming is done very regularly. My pup has environmental allergies so we also do a water rinse daily when we return from our adventures. When your baby stays with me, they will receive the same treatment (if they are comfortable getting brushed). He is my entire life and I couldn’t be happier!
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About Michelle D.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have included photos of my home (and the excessive amount of dog toys we own) in my profile. Several of the rooms in my house are dedicated to doggy activities/enrichment and I also have a fenced in yard. I have also made sure that my set up allows me to separate dogs from each other if they ever get over stimulated -- I have enough rooms where each dog can be in their own room. I also have a doggy door so most days when the weather is not atrocious the dogs can relieve themselves/play as they please. Also my sun room is dedicated to dog care so if need be I can gate off/separate pooches that get too worked up (or just need privacy eating). I do have two crates — one for super small dogs and the other for dogs up to 35 lbs. My dog is crate trained but prefers free range so I have dog beds in every single room. Dogs are welcome on furniture but please make sure they have been recently bathed (within a few days before) if you are boarding as we keep our home extremely clean (the carpets get washed every month and vacuum and swiffering are done daily). We are probably not a good fit if your dog does not get along with other dogs, because my dog is still young and very energetic. If your dog does not like to play but does not react aggressively to other dogs attempting to initiate play, Momo would be fine as he does eventually give up if the other dog does not engage him at all. When we schedule a meet and greet, you can expect to meet us outside the front yard for a couple block long walk together before going to the backyard to let the pooches sniff each other out. Since Momo is a chow-mix, he is protective by nature and does not like it if other fur-babies he does not know well try to jump on his mom so I will likely only greet your baby after I put him back in the house.
Home
Information Michelle D. would like to know about your pet
Information about your dog - Meal times & meal quantity - Preferred routines - Favorite treats - Ground rules (e.g. sit before going outside, no jumping, etc.) - Training needs (will try to work on if I have time) - Leash reactivity? - Issues with Aggression? - Special requests/needs What you can expect during the stay: - Daily photos - Responses within an hour (generally) - Paw wipe downs before coming inside - Full body wipe downs at least twice a day - Basic grooming maintenance (e.g. daily brushes if your baby has matte prone fur) - 2 walks a day and/or tons of backyard play time (weather dependent) - Safety first: If I see any signs of aggression or reactivity, I separate the dogs in different rooms to allow time to cool off. If I need to leave the house at all, I also separate them just in case. - 24/7 security camera monitoring in backyard and in house (I always know where they are ? and what they’re up to, nothing escapes me!) What I expect: - Your dog is bathed within 1-2 days before boarding (ideally day of) - Paw handling desensitization (we keep house very clean, so we wipe down before coming inside) - Food with quantity per meal and meal times labeled on the bag you bring it in - Any special products, medications, etc to be provided
A typical day
Morning, noon, and evening walk (20 min each) Frisbee and fetch in the backyard Training and mental stimulation games in the house. We like to walk around the river, highland park, and irondequoit outlet bay in the summer.
Location
Rochester, NY
Pets
fenced yard, active, dog lover!
Pet care experience
I've raised two energetic puppies through adolescence and frequently provide dog-sitting services for friends in the area. I also have experience working as an enrichment specialist at a well-known doggy daycare in Rochester and volunteering as a foster for local rescues. I am experienced with anxious dogs and can adapt to your fur-baby's specific needs. I'm trained in basic human and canine CPR, and I'm skilled at recognizing early signs of reactive behavior in animals. While I'm not perfect, I'm highly attentive. Since I’m home most of the time, I’ll ensure your pet stays healthy, happy, and safe!
Reviews
Michelle was great with Ariel. She loved all the walks and special attention she received. Will definitely book again next time I go on a trip.
Michelle was very flexible and willing to work with our schedule changes, and took great care of our senior dog for a 10-day stay. She understood all of our concerns and gave us plenty of updates, and we went home with a happy pup!
Michelle, as always, was wonderful with Pax - her communication with us prior to his stay and during was on point and Pax always enjoys his time with Michelle and Momo and comes back appropriately tired (and mournful that Momo doesn't come home with us!).
Michelle is a treasure! When our original plan fell through a week before an international trip, Michelle agreed to take on our golden retriever right away. Our dog has some anxiety and doesn't do well in unpredictable environments, and Michelle closely considered and responded to his individual needs. She really went above and beyond, making homemade dog treats, trimming his nails, and giving him a handsome trim. AND she worked on training him, even teaching him some agility -- it might be my imagination, but I swear he seems better behaved since we got home. She sent plenty of pictures and videos. It made our vacation more relaxing and enjoyable knowing he was in good hands. We'll definitely re-use Michelle for our next trip!
About Michelle D.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
I have included photos of my home (and the excessive amount of dog toys we own) in my profile. Several of the rooms in my house are dedicated to doggy activities/enrichment and I also have a fenced in yard. I have also made sure that my set up allows me to separate dogs from each other if they ever get over stimulated -- I have enough rooms where each dog can be in their own room. I also have a doggy door so most days when the weather is not atrocious the dogs can relieve themselves/play as they please. Also my sun room is dedicated to dog care so if need be I can gate off/separate pooches that get too worked up (or just need privacy eating). I do have two crates — one for super small dogs and the other for dogs up to 35 lbs. My dog is crate trained but prefers free range so I have dog beds in every single room. Dogs are welcome on furniture but please make sure they have been recently bathed (within a few days before) if you are boarding as we keep our home extremely clean (the carpets get washed every month and vacuum and swiffering are done daily). We are probably not a good fit if your dog does not get along with other dogs, because my dog is still young and very energetic. If your dog does not like to play but does not react aggressively to other dogs attempting to initiate play, Momo would be fine as he does eventually give up if the other dog does not engage him at all. When we schedule a meet and greet, you can expect to meet us outside the front yard for a couple block long walk together before going to the backyard to let the pooches sniff each other out. Since Momo is a chow-mix, he is protective by nature and does not like it if other fur-babies he does not know well try to jump on his mom so I will likely only greet your baby after I put him back in the house.
Home
Information Michelle D. would like to know about your pet
Information about your dog - Meal times & meal quantity - Preferred routines - Favorite treats - Ground rules (e.g. sit before going outside, no jumping, etc.) - Training needs (will try to work on if I have time) - Leash reactivity? - Issues with Aggression? - Special requests/needs What you can expect during the stay: - Daily photos - Responses within an hour (generally) - Paw wipe downs before coming inside - Full body wipe downs at least twice a day - Basic grooming maintenance (e.g. daily brushes if your baby has matte prone fur) - 2 walks a day and/or tons of backyard play time (weather dependent) - Safety first: If I see any signs of aggression or reactivity, I separate the dogs in different rooms to allow time to cool off. If I need to leave the house at all, I also separate them just in case. - 24/7 security camera monitoring in backyard and in house (I always know where they are ? and what they’re up to, nothing escapes me!) What I expect: - Your dog is bathed within 1-2 days before boarding (ideally day of) - Paw handling desensitization (we keep house very clean, so we wipe down before coming inside) - Food with quantity per meal and meal times labeled on the bag you bring it in - Any special products, medications, etc to be provided
A typical day
Morning, noon, and evening walk (20 min each) Frisbee and fetch in the backyard Training and mental stimulation games in the house. We like to walk around the river, highland park, and irondequoit outlet bay in the summer.
Michelle D.
Highland, Rochester, NY