Doggy Day Care Barnard Castle

About: My wife and I both grew up in houses that always had dogs although when we moved in together we always felt too busy to get our own. Luckily for us, mum and dad's dogs tended to stay over whenever they went away. We got the fun part of being around a dog, and the companionship that brings, but also the freedom not be tied down once they returned home. Now that I've retired, I'm free weekdays, weekends, evenings, extended stays or even staying at the dog's place if that was needed. Ideally I like seeing the same dog, or dogs, more than once so I can feel they see me as familiar and a small part of their lives. I usually miss them when they go home! We live right on the former railway line which is now a path and so is ideal. I love walking although am restricted to a steady pace because I suffer with ILD (lung disease). I can do fairly lengthy walks although can't go fast and hills really slow me down. This means that a small to medium sized (or an older) dog is my best fit although I have looked after dogs as young as one. Retirement means more availability so I'm ideally suited to being around for a dog when you're busy. I prefer to keep the flexibility that caring for other people's dogs provides, which is why I'm not looking to have a dog of my own full time. The fact I have the lung disease means it's best for me to keep active as much as I'm able and having a dog around gives the push to walk multiple times a day. We have very small garden which is fenced off but mostly it'll be walks to get out and about. We have an admittedly small 3 bedroom house so a small to medium size dog would fit best. The dog will sleep in the living room preferably in a bed provided by the owners. Although this site asks whether we'd allow the dog to be in furniture or beds, I'd prefer to stick with whatever it's used to at home.

“Stephen is great, Dave loved him. He even kept him longer as I was on a 12 hour shift, great communication and down to earth. More than happy for Dave to stay with Stephen again going forward. Thanks mate 🙏🏼”

Sam S.

“Yana has provided doggie day care for Henry for two days recently. She provided lots of photos and info about her care for him, walks, meals etc. When I collected him on the first day he was contented and happy and it was clear he was excited to go back again the following day. I can highly recommend Yana. Making arrangements for the care was easy and she provided excellent care for Henry.”

Ian S.

“We couldn’t have been happier. Jane-Louise was brilliant with Bessie and we would certainly leave her with Jane-Louise again.”

Jane P.

“Absolutely brilliant! Steven has been so good with millie and she has had the best day - she must have done because she went straight to bed when she got home 😁 very happy dog and owner - thankyou so much for having her. We will definitely be seeing you again and I'm sure millie will be very pleased to return! Also had regular updates and photos which was lovely.”

Eve L.

“Rosie had the best time with Elizabeth and most importantly Bailey. She came back exhausted each day from having non stop puppy play and was very excited to go there each morning. Thank you for looking after her!”

Laura B.

About: Hi im Angela Im a reliable and caring animal lover who genuinely enjoys spending time with animals , I will make sure your pet is comfortable and well looked after in my home. I often look after my friends and family's dog whenever they need me, i live around lots of fields , so there is plenty of places to walk and explore to exercise your dog. If your dog is boarding i will make sure im in contact with you, just to make sure that your dog is settled in my home and well looked after. Unfortunately my dogs have passed away,i owned 2 Labradors and a beagle, i have no children at home just myself and husband. Im available all weekdays to board or just daily sitting, & the odd weekends when im at home, i would take maximum of 2 dogs at a time. I have Secure gardens front and back, so you know the dogs will be safe, your dog will be played with in my garden and i have lots of balls/ toys/ they will be entertained with.

“Grace was amazing.she had never met Ossie and instantly made him feel comfortable.she was helpful, positive and he clearly was very happy to be there. When I went to get him he walked back into the house a couple of times and played in her garden while we chatted. I would recommend her to anyone”

Lucy K.

“Dominic provided day care for our dog, Monty. Monty has a great time, going for lots of walks etc. Communication with Dominic was really easy. Would definitely recommend!”

Tom S.

About: I’ve always loved dogs and have had them in my life since I was around 13. Over the years I’ve been around larger breeds including German Shepherds, Dobermans and Rottweilers, so I’m comfortable with dogs of different sizes and personalities. My own dog, Caesar, is a rescue I adopted in Sri Lanka when he was about 4 months old. I miss him a lot, and honestly one of the reasons I wanted to make this profile is because I genuinely enjoy being around dogs and caring for them. I currently work remotely, so I’m home most of the day and can give dogs attention, company and regular walks. I have a small fenced garden and there’s a walking path and open ground area only a couple of minutes from my house, which is great for walks and outdoor time. I know how important it is to leave your pet with someone you trust, so I’ll always do my best to make them feel comfortable, safe and cared for like they’re part of the family. I’m happy to follow your dog’s usual routine, whether that’s walks, feeding schedules, playtime or just lots of cuddles and attention. Pet care fits easily into my routine because I currently work remotely and spend most of my time at home. I also enjoy going to the gym and staying active, so daily walks and spending time outdoors with dogs fits naturally into my lifestyle. This allows me to give pets regular attention, walks, playtime and company throughout the day. I always want pets to feel safe, comfortable and relaxed while in my care. I have a small fenced garden and a walking path and open area nearby for regular walks and exercise. I follow the owner’s instructions carefully, including feeding routines, walking schedules and any special care needed. I understand every pet has a different personality, so I try to make them feel at home and give them lots of attention, patience and care.

“As this was willows first time away from myself I was quite nervous on how she would be however Ella-Marie was fantastic, kept me updated throughout and willow was a really happy pooch 10/10 and will definitely be using Ella’s services again!”

Josh

About: Hi we are Rachael & Aaron two work from home animal lovers. We have both been sitting pets for years now and have absolutely loved it. It's so fun meeting new people and caring for lovely animals. Additional pets are free :) We both work from home I am a Complaints Manager and my partner is a software developer so would be there for your lovely pets throughout the day. We started sitting while working and traveling in our home on wheels and now we have reverted to bricks instead of wheels have continued:) We are frequently between Leeds, York, Durham & Doncaster :) I am extremely houseproud and take pride in my ability to keep a neat and tidy house. I would treat yours with as much respect as my own. Note: should sitting days pass through a weekend we have our kids with us. We both have a very flexible schedule and can pretty much be anywhere any time so we can make ourselves available for your pets 24/7! We both work remotely in IT. We will always care for a pet as if they were our own. I like to make sure that your home is relaxing comfortable and stress free on your return!

About: I’ve had dogs my whole life - from Border Collies, German Shepherds and Jack Russels to rescue Heinz’s 57s. We’re an active household where dogs come first, we enjoy daily walks/runs and lots of play time. My current bestie, Fly, has a lifelong medical condition so I’m comfortable managing regular medication etc. She’s a Border Collie and enrichment is an important part of her day, including regular training. I work from home, I work downstairs near to my dog. We go for a 45 minute walk/run at lunch time and have short play breaks throughout the day. We’re an active household and like to be outdoors as much as we can. We have several walks near to our house. I have a secure fenced garden and there is a dedicated dog-room (heated conservatory) just off the kitchen which has direct access to the garden. The door to the garden is open whenever the weather allows it! The dog-room has a sofa, dog bed, water and toys. In the warmer weather there’s plenty of shade in the garden, dog friendly water toys and the kitchen is very cool for the dogs. I do have a dog crate if your pet prefers it. My dog Fly likes to take her time to get to know new friends, but isn’t possessive of her space, toys or food. We have at least one 45 minute walk during the day with off lead time (if suitable for your pet). I take regular half days/early finishes from work and use these for longer walks or days out with my dog - your pet can come on adventures too (see pictures for the types of places we go). I sometimes work away with plenty of notice. I have a primary aged son, he’s at school 8.45-5.30. He’s used to dogs and gives them the space they need.

“Obi had a lovely day with Amanda who was very well organised and caring and sent us updates and photos throughout the day.”

Nick R.

About: I have been looking after animals for most of my life, and would be happy to help with other peoples furry friends. I have a 3 legged cat and a young (ish) friendly dog. I like an active house, and am always happy to go out for extra walks, and will get out in any weather for some fresh air and a run around. I have experience with dogs of all ages and from small to large breed, and am confident and calm with nervous dogs or those who have come from rescue and need a little more special tlc. I can look after your loved furry friend Monday to Friday in the afternoons and evenings in term time with more flexibility in the school holidays. The family pets have the run of the house, and also have an outdoor run to go into when the weather is good. Our dog has a blast out in the woods in the morning before breakfast to work up an appetite and then a walk or run later in the day. We also have a large garden and attached woodland for exploring and to keep active brains busy

About: Welcome! Hi! We’re a pet-loving duo with over 16 years of hands on experience caring for animals of all shapes and sizes. From playful puppies and gentle senior dogs to reptiles, horses, and even cattle, animals have always been at the heart of our lives. Two Sitters, Double the Care As a team, your pet benefits from two experienced caregivers, providing extra attention, supervision, and companionship throughout their stay. We create a calm, structured, and loving environment where pets quickly feel safe, relaxed, and at home. Experienced With Every Personality We’ve cared for confident dogs, nervous rescues, energetic working breeds, senior pets, and those with medical or special care needs. Every animal is different, so we tailor our care to suit their personality, routine, and individual needs. We believe patience, understanding, and consistency help every pet thrive. Why We Love What We Do Looking after animals isn’t just our job it’s something we’re genuinely passionate about. Being trusted to care for a member of your family is a responsibility we never take lightly, and it’s a privilege to spend our days doing something we truly love. Training, Safety & Enrichment We are currently training our own dog in French Ring, so understanding canine behaviour, communication, and structure is part of everyday life. Your pet will benefit from: * A calm, predictable home environment. * Safe introductions and thoughtful management to help every dog feel comfortable. * Long-line walks (50+ ft) while building trust and reliable recall, giving dogs freedom without compromising safety. * Access to secure, private fenced fields for safe off-lead exercise, enrichment, and plenty of fun. Your pet’s safety, wellbeing, and happiness will always be our highest priorities. Care Tailored to Your Pet Whether your pet enjoys long walks, enrichment games, cosy cuddles, quiet companionship, or simply sticking to their usual routine, we’ll make sure they receive the care that suits them best. We treat every pet as an individual and strive to make their stay as happy and stress-free as possible. We Can’t Wait to Meet Your Best Friend If you’re looking for experienced, reliable sitters who will care for your pet as if they were our own, we’d love to welcome them into our home. We can’t wait to meet both you and your four legged family member! The pet sitting business is my career which means I’m available all week and all year to help with any of your pet related enquiries I have multiple different areas of fenced in space to provide different places for your pups to roam, also have a 20ft lead to offer security on walks without the need of going off lead whilst we build a strong relationship and bond!

About: I've taken care of a variety of dogs, big & small and tend to each of their needs including: daily walks, feeding routines, training reinforcement and their individual personalities. Neighbours, friends and family have relied on me to look after and play with their pets for over 9years. I have my own Cocker Spaniel puppy so have experience looking after young dogs. I'm comfortable following owners instructions for their pets and want to make sure they are as happy as possible leaving their dogs with me. I'm currently working from home so I can be in the house at all times to play with and look after your pet! I'm available for boarding weekdays and weekends and can also go to your home during the day for check-ins and walks with your pet. I have a large fenced in garden for your pet to play in and a very friendly cocker spaniel to make friends with! My dog is crate trained so has his own bed area. I can easily set up a crate for your dog too if provided.

“★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Thank you so much for looking after Odie! We were down for a wedding and it was so nice to not have to worry about the dog for the day. Was also lovely to have frequent photos and updates. Would definitely recommend. :-)”

Gordon W.

“Neha stepped I last minute to look after my two staffs while we were visiting the Yorkshire Dales on holiday, so that we could go caving. They were very happy playing with her dogs! Thank you very much”

Louisa M.

About: Boarding Kennels are a small purpose built, family run dog boarding facility based on our family farm 10 miles west of Durham city. The kennels are run by Ellie, who has both owned and had a passion for dogs their entire lives. Ellie now has a small team of Cocker Spaniels who are gundog trained and love being out working during the shooting season. Being small scale and a dog owner myself, I can offer a bespoke boarding service to your dog, where they will be treated as one of my own. I welcome dogs of all sizes, ages and special requirements. Including puppies, elderly dogs, working dogs, entire males and unspayed females. I work from home, and have a flexible routine meaning we have availability to look after dogs and cats 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. I have spent a long time planning my kennels to make them somewhere I would be happy to leave my own dogs. Therefore each kennel has a private heated and insulated sleeping area, as well as a covered individual run with lots of natural light. Dogs will have plenty of opportunity to explore our private farmland and woods while exercising. As standard I supply bedding, towels, leads, bowls and toys. However you are more than welcome to supply your own, as well as many other possessions you feel your dog will need while staying.