Michelle V.
Palatine, IL
Dog lovers here!
Pet care experience
Your 4-legged family member will be given play time, walk time, nap time, and a safe environment. My top priorities are safety and comfort. Repeat guests are excited when they arrive and I love to hear from guests' owners that their pet gets excited when driving down our street. I've become like the pet-grandma or pet-aunt to some very lovable dogs! I have developed a very successful acclimation process for both new and repeat guests. It's a must that the guest is comfortable in a crate to ensure their safety as needed.
Reviews
Michelle is great and takes fantastic care of our dog, we rest easy knowing he's in such good hands. We've been lucky enough to have her watch our pup twice now, and will certainly continue to reach out to her first and foremost in the future. 10/10 would recommend Thank you Michelle!!
Michelle does a wonderful job taking care of our Cooper! Cooper is always happy to go visit her and we know she takes the utmost care of him. Michelle is very safety conscious and gives her boarders lots of love and attention. Thanks Michelle!
Our dogs were returned in good condition (though they each had gorilla tape embedded in their fur which they had managed to chew off of Michelle’s crate liners - sorry Michelle!). Michelle is an experienced sitter who has specific processes in place which she clearly communicates. The daily feedback messages and pics were timely and detailed which we appreciated. We would have our dogs stay with Michelle again.
Michelle does a great job with my Tito’s! I feel like I can relax because she can handle anything for him. 😃
About Michelle V.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
It's best that guests are crate trained so while the humans sleep and while I'm out, pets, guests, and property are all safe. Playtime with other dogs is only with owner permission AND if I deem them compatible. Typical outing schedule (on a leash, typically double leash with more than one collar to ensure back-up for malfunctions): 1) First thing in the morning. 2) After morning meal - this will be until the dog poops and will sometimes also be their long (30-60 minutes) walk of the day. 3) Afternoon pee (between 12-3). 4) After dinner - this will be either until the dog poops or will sometimes be their long (30-60 minutes) walk of the day. 5) Bedtime pee Dogs are always taken out while on a leash (typically doubled), never loose. For drop off and pick up, even if your dog has good recall, they must be leashed. Safety when inside to prevent escaping is top priority.
Home
Information Michelle V. would like to know about your pet
* Does the dog like kids? * Does the dog know commands and have any fun tricks? * Is the dog crate trained? (Crate trained means will they go in the crate easily and be quiet. If the dog incessantly barks, whines, or tries to break out while in the crate, then the dog is not crate trained. Space is limited for dogs who will not utilize a crate and I have a screening process to ensure I can host a dog that does not utilize a crate. Again, while few exceptions are made, it is preferred that all dogs be crate trained everyone's safety and comfort) * Does the dog have mobility issues? (I am limited on services I can provide for those who have difficulty moving on their own. I cannot host dogs who can no longer stand on their own) * If the dog is under two years old, any lingering puppy behaviors (accidents, chewing, barking/whining without reason, etc)? (And even if older, are any of these behaviors still an issue?) * Does the dog have any special needs: extra potty breaks, medications, a special diet, outside of regular dog kibble, etc? * Is the dog's profile accurate and up-to-date? (Please ensure the correct breed and age are indicated in your pet's profile. It's also helpful that you have answered the questions in the pet's profile) * Is the dog up-to-date on their vaccinations?
A typical day
We walk primarily around our residential area. Further walks depend on the dog, schedule, and weather. Indoors we play fetch and let the dogs have their zoomies. I primarily work from home and when the weather is nice, I take my "office" outside. The dog guests love enjoying the deck with me. Sometimes we'll drive to a trail and some dog guests enjoy running errands with me (driving is only with owner permission and dogs who ride well in the car).
Services
Michelle can host
Michelle can watch in your home
Availability
A home-away-from-home environment: I provide a boutique service where pets are loved with personalized care. Safety and comfort are top priority. We love our repeaters who have been coming here for years and it's adorable how many of them now have dog-friends when here at the same time.
About Michelle V.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
It's best that guests are crate trained so while the humans sleep and while I'm out, pets, guests, and property are all safe. Playtime with other dogs is only with owner permission AND if I deem them compatible. Typical outing schedule (on a leash, typically double leash with more than one collar to ensure back-up for malfunctions): 1) First thing in the morning. 2) After morning meal - this will be until the dog poops and will sometimes also be their long (30-60 minutes) walk of the day. 3) Afternoon pee (between 12-3). 4) After dinner - this will be either until the dog poops or will sometimes be their long (30-60 minutes) walk of the day. 5) Bedtime pee Dogs are always taken out while on a leash (typically doubled), never loose. For drop off and pick up, even if your dog has good recall, they must be leashed. Safety when inside to prevent escaping is top priority.
Home
Information Michelle V. would like to know about your pet
* Does the dog like kids? * Does the dog know commands and have any fun tricks? * Is the dog crate trained? (Crate trained means will they go in the crate easily and be quiet. If the dog incessantly barks, whines, or tries to break out while in the crate, then the dog is not crate trained. Space is limited for dogs who will not utilize a crate and I have a screening process to ensure I can host a dog that does not utilize a crate. Again, while few exceptions are made, it is preferred that all dogs be crate trained everyone's safety and comfort) * Does the dog have mobility issues? (I am limited on services I can provide for those who have difficulty moving on their own. I cannot host dogs who can no longer stand on their own) * If the dog is under two years old, any lingering puppy behaviors (accidents, chewing, barking/whining without reason, etc)? (And even if older, are any of these behaviors still an issue?) * Does the dog have any special needs: extra potty breaks, medications, a special diet, outside of regular dog kibble, etc? * Is the dog's profile accurate and up-to-date? (Please ensure the correct breed and age are indicated in your pet's profile. It's also helpful that you have answered the questions in the pet's profile) * Is the dog up-to-date on their vaccinations?
A typical day
We walk primarily around our residential area. Further walks depend on the dog, schedule, and weather. Indoors we play fetch and let the dogs have their zoomies. I primarily work from home and when the weather is nice, I take my "office" outside. The dog guests love enjoying the deck with me. Sometimes we'll drive to a trail and some dog guests enjoy running errands with me (driving is only with owner permission and dogs who ride well in the car).
Location
Palatine, IL
Michelle V.
Palatine, IL