I like knowing the usual things like allergies, preference of toy types, anticipated frequency of potty breaks, exercise tolerance. It’s also helpful to know an owner’s preference for updates. Some want an update only every few days; others prefer updates every few hours. I’m completely fine with the full spectrum, so just let me know your preference. I also like knowing training & behavioral goals so that I can be sure to reinforce them. Working on “leave it,” not jumping, heeling, “soft mouth,” not begging, roll-over, happily entering crate, stay, Canine Good Citizen, etc? Let me know, and I’ll work extra hard on that. My lead photo of a dog at a softball game is a wonderful example of this. The dog struggled with abrupt sounds and movements. After a week of concentrating on *gentle* exposure to more sounds and movements, she could calmly watch and hear all the loud sudden excitement and movements of a live softball game and know that she was completely safe. I LOVE being able to help with these types of things.

Because of my background in rescue & foster, I appreciate the uniqueness and quirks of every animal and am passionate about providing a positive experience for each animal. I love to stimulate pets physically, cerebrally, and emotionally. A typical day includes a good hike to a park, some play time there, excursions to any pet-friendly places I go, some puzzle time as part of their feedings, frequent play breaks, cuddles and belly rubs. Really, they’re immediately family, and I use my experience to guide what their needs are throughout their day so that it’s a positive experience for both of us. I don’t force long walks when a dog is clearly tired, and I’ll add additional experiences when a dog needs more attention. We usually close the day with some wind-down time with a chewy or a massage or cuddles, whichever best suits the dog (and the owner’s preferences).