I've been caring for others' pets since I was a teenager whenever a friend needed someone to care for their fur babies. I am typically the pet sitter for friends or family who go on vacation without their pups. I always had animals growing up (fish, bunnies, birds, dogs, etc). I was fortunate enough to take classes with a local dog trainer when I first adopted my dogs 6 years ago which has been very helpful in managing behaviors. I am a school employee currently on summer break with no trips planned due to the rise in the cost of living, so my schedule is wide open at the moment until school starts back up on August 17th! During the school year, my schedule is pretty much jam packed with work and caring for my 2 year old in the evening, although I might be able to find some time to do something quick like drop in visits or a 30 min walk a few times per week. Once I've gotten to know a pet and their owner, I may be available to do pet and/or house sitting throughout the school year (I'm more cautious about pet sitting currently due to the age of my child and the presence of other animals in my home, so I would need to make sure it's a good match with my dogs ahead of time if dog sitting is involved). While walking dogs, I always double check that their leashes are secure and harnesses are not too loose. If walking in an area with less traffic or on a narrow path, I instruct the dogs to sit while cars pass by for safety. If a dog acting in an aggressive manner is being walked towards us, or if one is in someone's yard, I always cross the street to avoid a potential issue. If there is a possibility of walking or sitting more than one animal at a time, I make sure to introduce the animals ahead of time and talk to their owners to make sure they're a good match. It is also important to me to make sure any dog I walk has some time to cool off before I offer food or water (i.e., deep chested dogs susceptible to bloat) as well as checking the temperature of the pavement before walking a dog on a hot day. If possible, early morning or early evening walks are preferable in order to keep the dog comfortable. When taking care of my pets or dropping in to check on others', I always give love and attention first before feeding them or taking them on a potty break. I also make sure everything is picked up off the floor and all doors are locked. If dog or house sitting is a possibility, I would need to meet the dog(s) ahead of time to make sure it's a good match, and if possible, take them on a walk or 2 in order to familiarize myself with them before showing up at their house in order to reduce the chances of the dog being frightened. I take the safety of my animals as well as others' very seriously.