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Michelle H.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Profile image

Michelle H.

5.0 out of 5 stars
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Lawndale, CA

Prices include all fees.

Highlights

Enhanced background check
8 years of experience
Has a fenced yard
Home full time
Can administer medication
Special needs experience

Pet care experience

Reliable, trustworthy & loving

What sets me apart is my depth of hands-on experience and the structured, thoughtful way I care for dogs. Over the past eight years, I’ve fostered numerous dogs for different rescue organizations, which has given me experience with puppies, adolescents, seniors, high-energy breeds, shy or anxious dogs, and dogs adjusting to new environments. I understand canine body language and prioritize calm, confident handling so dogs feel safe and secure. For walks - I genuinely love exercise and being outdoors, and I’m happy to provide long, active walks for high-energy dogs or slower, shorter walks for seniors or more relaxed pups. I focus on safe leash handling, reinforcing good walking manners, and making each walk both physically and mentally enriching through sniff breaks and engagement. For drop-in visits - I go beyond just a quick potty break. I make sure pets receive attention, play, fresh water, feeding as instructed, medication if needed, and a clean, comfortable space before I leave. I’m attentive to details and happy to send regular updates and photos so owners feel completely at ease. For boarding - My home includes a large, fully fenced yard for safe outdoor time, and I offer structured play, enrichment activities, and optional agility-style exercises for active dogs. At the same time, I prioritize rest and calm energy so dogs don’t become overstimulated. I have experience with basic obedience, leash manners, crate training, and positive reinforcement. I’ve also worked alongside a professional trainer to further develop my understanding of behavior and proper handling techniques. For puppies, I focus on consistency and building good habits. For senior dogs, I’m patient, gentle, and mindful of mobility and medication needs. Above all, I’m dependable, communicative, honest, and trustworthy, and treat every dog as if they were my own. My goal is to provide safe, structured, loving care tailored to each dog’s unique personality and energy level. 🐾

Qualifications

87% response rate
Usually responds in under half an hour
100% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards
8 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration
Senior dog experience

Ratings and reviews

5.0
stars
2 ratings
Matthew G.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Drop-In Visits • Apr 21, 2026

Michelle went over and above for our boy. She was communicative, helpful and genuinely cared about our dogs well being . She is the real deal .

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Sean B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boarding • Apr 14, 2026

Michelle was amazing with my dog, who had an amazing time. I will definitely trust Michelle again with my pup in the future. She made sure she had plenty of exercise and her dog and mine became quick friends.

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Carrie E.
Mar 04, 2026

Michelle is amazing with our Clint. She takes the time to know your pup and really gives them the attention they need. Our Clint, a black shepard mix, has alot of energy and loves to play all the time. She knew exactly how to handle him. We really appreciate how in tune Michelle is with our dog. Thank you Michelle!

Kay C J.
Mar 04, 2026

Well you have been graced with the opportunity to use the best animal lover/dog walker in the world!! I have watched Michelle with animals for over25 years. Her love for them is unrivaled, her connection is perfection and her instincts with them is both a gift and a blessing! Michelle is patient and caring with all animals and they naturally gravitate to her loving spirit. She sets boundaries to give them a sense of comfort and engages their unique personalities to motivate them excellence in behavioral skills! I have seen her foster dogs with her time and energy and also train and love her own dogs to be simply amazing!

William E.
Mar 03, 2026

Michelle Hughes is probably the biggest dog lover that I have ever met. My wife and I have left our dog with Michelle numerous times and she has gone above and beyond caring for our pet. Our dog is a high energy breed and requires a lot of exercise. Michelle always took the extra time to walk and play with our pet that was needed. Michelle is also a very experienced and responsible dog caregiver. She always made sure our dog was fed in accordance with our instructions. In addition, she did a great job setting boundaries with our dog and was helpful in training him. We have used other pet sitters in the past, and Michelle was by far the best we ever used.

Sally C.
Mar 03, 2026

I highly recommend Michelle for dog walking and pet care. Over the past 8 years, she has fostered many dogs for several different rescue organizations, caring for dogs of all ages, sizes, and temperaments. That experience has given her hands-on knowledge in everything from structured walks and leash manners to crate training, basic obedience, socialization, and helping anxious or newly transitioned dogs feel safe. She has trained her own dogs in obedience and advanced commands and has worked with a professional trainer to deepen her understanding of canine behavior. Michelle is calm, patient, and attentive, and she knows how to provide both structure and affection. She is also dependable and communicative, which gives real peace of mind. Any dog in her care will be safe, well cared for, and genuinely loved.

Calendar and availability

Available
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Schedule

Pet care is part of my everyday life as a stay-at-home dog mom to a tri-pawed Husky mix who has never met a dog she didn't love. I have plenty of time for walks, potty breaks, exercise, and lots of extra love and attention, and I build my schedule around each dog’s needs.

Where your pet will stay

Home characteristics

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has 1 dog, has cats
No children present
Dogs not allowed on bed
Dogs not allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Safety, trust & environment

Pet care is part of my everyday life as a stay-at-home dog mom to a rescued tri-pawed Husky mix who has never met a dog she didn't love. I have plenty of time for walks, potty breaks, exercise, and lots of extra love and attention, and I build my schedule around each dog’s needs. Safety and trust are always my top priorities. Whether in my home or yours, I create a calm, secure environment where dogs feel comfortable and cared for. On walks, I closely monitor body language to ensure positive, safe interactions and to avoid stressful situations. I follow each dog’s routine carefully; meals, potty breaks, exercise, and any special instructions, while keeping communication open with regular updates. My goal is to provide dependable care that feels consistent, attentive, and stress-free for both pets and their owners.

Pets

A typical day

A typical day is structured, active, and tailored to each dog’s needs. Mornings usually start with a potty break and a walk to burn off some energy, followed by breakfast and calm downtime. Throughout the day, we rotate between walks, supervised outdoor time, play sessions, and enrichment like fetch, basic training refreshers, puzzle toys, and sniff walks, depending on each dog’s personality. I have a large, fully fenced yard where dogs can safely run and explore. For more active pups, I also have simple agility-style setups where they can practice jumps, weave poles, and confidence-building activities under supervision. It’s a great way to keep high-energy dogs mentally and physically engaged. For social dogs, we’ll play and interact throughout the day. For more mellow pups, I focus on calm companionship and a relaxed routine. I make sure there’s plenty of rest time so they don’t get overstimulated. My goal is to keep every dog active, enriched, and feeling safe and at home while you’re away. 🐾

0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs
Dogs over 1 year old
No females in heat
Crate-trained dogs only
Takes only 1 client at a time
Michelle can host up to 1 pet per night
Please let me know about any special needs, preferences, routines, quirks, or triggers your dog may have. The more I know, the better I can tailor their care and make sure they feel comfortable, secure, and loved while you’re away. My goal is to make their experience as smooth, fun, and stress-free as possible!
These prices are for 1 dog.

Prices include all fees.

Each sitter joining Rover needs to pass a background check. And by booking on Rover, you can get photo & message updates, 24/7 support, and reimbursement for eligible vet care.

Prices include all fees.