Dog Sitting Takoma Park

“Professional, thoughtful, and respectful of my home.”

Nissa

“Izy was awesome! Very communicative and I appreciated her reports. She took great care of my cat and I would definitely book her again in the future!”

Paulina V.

“I had a rover that cancelled mid-trip and fortunately Mia was able to take over the booking on only a few hours notice. She was super responsive and punctual and we were able to rest easy knowing our dogs were in good hands.”

Jaclyn E.

About: I have taken care of cats and dogs for the past five years. I am comfortable with dogs of any size. I have experience working with cats & dogs of all ages and am comfortable giving them medications. I volunteer with Lucky Dogs currently as a dog handler at events. Additionally, I volunteered for the Williamson County Animal Shelter through high school and undergrad, walking dogs as well as socializing and providing enrichment for cats. I have ample experience with stray/spicy kitties! I currently have a very flexible hybrid job and summer scheduled! This allows me to stick to your dog or cat’s routine to keep them as comfortable as possible :). *CONSTANT CARE POLICY FOR HOUSESITTING MORE THAN 24 HOURS* *this policy does not apply to drop-ins or housesitting for less than 24 hours* *constant care is a premium service and will not apply to all bookings* If your pet has a medical or non-medical reason(s) for which they require constant care, the sitter maintains the right to modify the house-sitting request rate to reflect the change in care up to an additional $50 per night per animal requiring constant care. Additional pets that do not require constant care will reflect the normal Additional Pet rate (found in services tab). Constant Care is a premium service designed for pets that cannot be left alone for medical or non-medical reasons. This includes animals who have accidents overnight or if the sitter leaves for more than 5 hours for the duration of the booking dates. Services include but are not limited to oral medication administration, assisted movement, assisted feedings, comfort, and companionship needs. Other requirements can be discussed before confirming/payment is made. I currently have a very flexible hybrid job and take night classes three times a week. I can customize and work with whatever your pet's needs may be! In the client's home, I am happy to do whatever your pet needs to keep with their routine! I am also an avid crocheter, so if your pet loves a snuggle buddy or someone in the house to hang out with, I am more than happy to be that!

“Larquana was great with our 2 cats! She played with them and even our scaredy let her pet him. She was consistent with photos, updates, and general communication. Much appreciated!”

Jess B.

“Juna continues to take fantastic care of my hound mix! My dog is always happy to see Juna, and I can tell from her consistent communication and her lovely walking/drop-in photos that my dog continues to enjoy Juna's care and company throughout each booking. Juna has proven to be capable and resourceful throughout all of her visits with my dog, and I'm confident she would be the same with yours, too!”

Jon M.

“Angela is a very nice and trustworthy person who took good care of our cat. She sent daily pictures and updates. Our cat was very happy when we returned!”

Kerry R.

“Andrew and Joelle were great, on short notice, and even our shy cats seemed to like them and came out to say hi when they visited. Highly recommended.”

Anne M.

About: My passion is making sure pets are cared for to the utmost quality. My pet sitting journey started by walking my neighbors dogs when I was just 12 years old and continued dog walking/pet sitting for family members/friends/clients until graduating college. My pet sitting has grown over the years and I definitely have grown more in love with it. I have a lot of cat sitting experience as well and have always cared for my grandma’s cats when she needs the extra help. I’m currently only pet sitting part-time. I am available after 5pm Monday to Thursday and after 12pm on Fridays. I’m available all weekends. This can be variable as I will also have days off from work which will allow me to have more availability. I live in a spacious 700 sq ft studio by myself. I also don’t have any pets that live with me. I live in a very dog friendly community with a dog park and large fields of grass perfect for off-leash time. I do also have large windows perfect for bird watching for my meow-er companions :)

“Landy is not only a wonderful person but you can tell she loves animals. My cat can be very stand fish to new people and immediately fell in love with Landy after the first visit. She also was very accommodating with my needs of pick up and drop off of my keys, just a wonderful wonderful sitter!”

Kassidy H.

About: As a life-long pet owner I have the experience and patience needed to give your pets the best care and attention no matter their age! I currently am looking for a job but don’t have one yet! As of right now I’m available anytime for your pups. Can’t wait to meet you and you doggies! I usually feed , bath, brush teeth , brush out hair, take them for walks , make sure they have enough play time and obviously lots of cuddles and kisses!!

About: I am excited to help take care of your fur baby! I am available for dog walks and drop-in visits. I have been a dog lover all my life. I know many of the dogs in the neighborhood and often find dogs running to me in excitement wanting to meet me. Caring for dogs has always brought be a lot of joy! I grew up with a yellow Labrador retriever as a kid. As an adult, once I was able to afford a dog, my then boyfriend (now husband) and I adopted our dog Hazel, a sweet 50 pound foxhound, from a local rescue organization. I have worked hard to train her well. She has had several medical issues over the years, so I have learned how to effectively handle medications, vet visits, post-op care, and recovery. While I am new to Rover, I have helped care for dogs for years for other family members and friends. I have helped care for many different kinds of dogs from a tiny Maltepoo to a large 70 pound mixed breed dog. I have dog sat regularly for my parents’ beagle, a friend’s boxer mix, and my mother in-law’s miniature German spitz that looks a bit like a Pomeranian. I have also walked many other kinds of dogs including a miniature dachshund and a large mixed breed dog that was mostly lab, pit bull, and husky. Most of the dogs I have cared for are under 50 pounds, and given my size, I am most comfortable with small and medium size dogs unless they are already very good on a leash and not reactive outside. I am very comfortable helping with dog walks, meal time, medications if needed so long as instructions are clear, and play time. Until mid-August, I have lots of availability for dog walks and drop-in care during the week and on weekends except for a couple weekends when I will be traveling. After August 16, I will have more limited availability but generally be available for dog walks or drop-ins on Saturday afternoons and/or Sundays. I always make a point of coming prepared and learning about the dog ahead of time to make sure I know what he or she needs and likes. I talk to the owner to get a sense of what the dog can and cannot eat, what if any medication they take and the dosage, how they interact with other dogs, how they interact with other animals, how they interact with people, and what they do and don’t like. Dogs have personalities like we do, so it’s important to know this ahead of time as best as possible to avoid putting dogs in uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situations. For example, some dogs are very social with other dogs, love daycare or dog parks, and just love to play. Others, like my dog, absolutely hate dog parks and are often skittish around other dogs they don’t know, but love meeting people. Still others may be a bit reactive to certain triggers like certain sounds or smells or other animals that don’t know. The more I learn in advance, the better. It is very important to take the time to build trust with pets and to make them feel safe and loved. I always let a new dog approach me first and pay close attention to their body language. I try to meet them on their level as well. Once I gain their trust, which usually comes fairly quickly, then I can safely play with them and walk them. When out on a walk, I never walk dogs off leash unless in a fully fenced yard or park. The only exception to this is a dog I own and know is trained very well and has exceptional recall even in highly distracting environments. Since our area is fairly urban with lots of distractions, cars, bikes, and other animals, I generally do not think it is safe for a dog to be off leash outside. I also prefer to bring treats on walks and have a mix of training treats and high value treats to help condition the dog to good behavior and keep them focused if there is a risky distraction they need to avoid such as a reactive dog or a stray cat. I clicker trained my dog and find this to be pretty effective. However, I follow the lead of the owner with their training methods and the terms they use for certain commands to make sure the dog feels confident and safe. It is worth noting though that I do not and will not use coercive or negative reinforcement methods such as prong or shock collars, hitting, or yelling at a dog. These methods are ineffective, cruel to the dog, and in many cases they actually worsen stress, aggression, and reactivity in dogs. When on a walk I am very cognizant of hazards to avoid like chicken bones, pesticides on lawns, glass, traffic, animals the dog may chase, etc. I generally do not read or text on my phone while walking so I can focus on the dog and making sure both of us are safe. This is especially the case for larger dogs, since I am only 5 feet tall. Ultimately, when I am caring for a dog as a dog walker or dropping in for a visit, that is the dog’s time. I get a sense of what they like and follow their lead so they enjoy their time. Hounds often like nothing better than to sniff everything outside. Dachshunds usually love to run and make noise. Retrievers often can play fetch for hours. Shepherds and herding breads like border collies sometimes like nothing more than to show off how smart and athletic they are or to herd a group.

“Lilla was great for visiting with my two pups! She was flexible and quick to respond when I needed a sitter due to unexpected trip to attend a funeral. She communicated well and provided me pictures of her visits. She even cleaned up after one of my pups when she got sick in the house. I’d recommend her and will use her again. Thank you, Lilla, and sorry about the pup mess!”

Jeff R.

“Derek was absolutely wonderful. Incredibly flexible with great notes . 10/10”

Tamirra G.

“Sarah is always so amazing with my scaredy cat! She truly cares about your pets well being! Excellent daily updates with lots of great pictures.”

Cooper C.

“Allison took wonderful care of my cat while I was away, supplied many adorable photos, and even let me know that my refrigerator had stopped working so that I could alert my apartment maintenance immediately!”

Caroline W.

About: I have ample experience taking care of all kinds of pets, with all kinds of medical needs, administering medication, walking dogs at any length that is required. I am available during most of a standard day and can work most times advanced noticed. Whatever you and your pets needs are, I will work to meet them. I provide pets with as much care and attention as possible when both boarding and caring for them in other spaces. I work hard to make sure every space I take them to is pet friendly and safe for them.

About: I have been dog sitting for my neighbors, friends, and family for many years. What I bring is patient, reliable care, a flexible schedule, and a genuine love for keeping dogs happy, safe, and well-exercised. I take the time to understand each dog's unique personality and needs, making sure they receive plenty of attention, play, and affection while also following each owner's preferences and instructions. Pet care fits easily into my weekly routine thanks to my flexible schedule. I'm available most mornings from 7:00–11:00 a.m., generally available throughout the midday and afternoon with advance notice, and available again in the evenings from about 5:00–8:00 p.m. I’m happy to work with owners to find times that best fit their needs. When I’m caring for your dog, my main focus is making sure they’re safe, comfortable, and happy. I’ll follow your routine and any instructions you leave, whether that’s feeding, walks, or playtime. On walks, I always stay aware of my surroundings and make sure your dog is secure and well cared for.

“Erin took great care of our pets. She was communicative from start to finish, provided thorough updates, and took great photos. She was excellent and would love to hire her in the future!”

Abigail A.

About: During the Covid-19 pandemic, I pet sat and walked dogs full time providing care to puppies, elderly, and special needs pups. I have cared for many different dog breeds and am skilled at meeting their energy level and curating visits individualized to each pup! I have experience administering medications, and working with pups who are vision/hearing impaired. I am currently working part time, so I have some time on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons that I would love to fill with some animal bonding time! I just recently moved to the area, and miss my old pet care clients! So I would like to rebuild pet care back into my schedule! I will be diligent and follow instructions given by pet parents! I prefer to walk dogs on a harness as it is safer when walking, as it’s hard to break or slip out of.