I live in a house with a secure, fully fenced yard, and I only board one dog at a time -- no other pets and no children. I'm all about safety, prevention, and positive reinforcement. I don't rush the getting-acquainted process and the meet and greet is an important step in helping the dog feel secure. I have trained two of my previous dogs to be secure, certified Canine Good Citizens and pet therapy dogs. I work from home and my guest dogs are the center of my other activities. We walk in the neighborhood three times a day. Again, safety first, so we keep our distance from other dogs, even those I know, because dogs will be dogs and they can be unpredictable. We walk in our neighborhood pocket parks, but no dog parks because they are high-risk settings, especially for small dogs. My house is a dog-friendly/safe environment, and I am able to monitor the dog inside and outside of the house. To minimize its alone time, I run my errands on days when I don't have a dog guest. However, if the dog does ride in the car with me, it is in the backseat in a travel crate or has a dog-safe restraint. The dog is never alone in the car. It's important to me to have the dog's vet information and an emergency plan with the owners. Because I work from home, I have the flexibility to interact spontaneously with the dog throughout the day and communicate with the owners at any time. We walk before and after work and at lunch -- and we play for a few minutes in the backyard between walks to give both of us a break. I've found that a well-exercised dog is a relaxed dog. During the meet and greet, we tour my house and yard so that the owner can point out any possible temptations or risks that could be troublesome for the dog. I enjoy learning about each dog's needs so that I can respond to them. I follow the schedule and patterns they are used to in their own home. Predictability and routine help the dog feel secure.