House Sitting West Dorset

About: I have 10 years experience caring for dogs, including my own dogs, and dogs of family members and friends. I have my own dog, Larry, who I absolutely adore. He will stay with my husband whilst I dog sit in other homes. I work full time as a speech therapist, however, much of my work is done from home. Aside from dog sitting, I am available for evenings for dog sitting and walking. My husband Will works from our home, and also has a rover account. He is available to take bookings during week days and also weekends. We have a secure fenced back garden for rest breaks. We are very lucky to live near many open fields for long dog walks, but can also accommodate for older or less mobile dogs.

“Tianna came over to meet Freddie before the dates of the booking to run through things and meet him. She got on well with him and took time to Understand him. He’s a lurcher and a bit of a wuss lol. Oniy my second time away from him. Freddie was really well cared for and loved Tianna staying. He slept with her and she kept in touch and checked things so he didn’t fret too much She’s a kind responsible person who I thoroughly trusted and would recommend. Freddie is now trying to find her! Come back Tianna lol 🐶🐾”

Julia D.

“Puddle was just great! Easy going and kind. Beckett had a lovely time. He was very chilled when we got back. Thanks puddle !”

Molly P.

About: We are a family of 3 husband David and daughter Charlotte aged 10. We are living in our camper travelling the UK and Europe with our 2 dogs Ernie and Luna. We are looking for House sits to look after pets. My husband works remotely on his laptop. Charlotte and i will be looking after pets as Charlotte would like to ve a vet when she's older. I have volunteered at animal shelters from a young age and have administered medication before and worked with very nervous and distressed animals and have built a trusting bond 🥰 I work remotely so i have all the time to be with your pets. I just work from my laptop and I am my own boss so nothing demanding. I can attend to all your pets needs 🥰 I can sit all day and evening with your pets and give them plenty of cuddles and let them out when they need to go out and feed them at their scheduled time, no problem 😊

“Annabelle was quick to reply, easy to communicate with and responsive whilst booking and then throughout the stay. Nala was well cared for during Annabelle’s stay and Annabelle was kind enough to send photos and keep me updated while we were away. Our home was very clean and tidy on our return, making the whole thing very easy with no hassle or concerns. We will definitely ask Annabelle to look after Nala and our home again in the future!”

Chloe P.

“Ro filled us with confidence from the moment we met him, he was calm around the dogs which was lovely to see. I had no concerns leaving them with him and they were happy and relaxed when we returned. I would wholeheartedly recommend Ro as a dog sitter.”

Rupert & Lizzie

“We highly recommended Sophie as a dog walker and sitter. We have a very anxious border collie who is a rescue. He has a slow burn with people and Sophie dealt with it like a champ. She started working with him the beginning of June, visiting him and working with him to build trust before taking him to the back garden and then eventually for walks and finally staying at our house for a full week to watch him without incident. Fair to say Murray loves Sophie and gave her lots of cuddles. Sophie has a very calm and kind demeanour that Murray took to right away. We will definitely book Sophie for all walks and pet sitting going forward.”

Michelle Y.

“Nina looked after our french bulldog Bella in our own home for the weekend (Friday-Sunday) whilst my family & I went to a family wedding. Beforehand, Nina gladly came over to meet Bella, finding out everything she needed to know in order to look after her well. This included checking Bella's routine, diet, habits etc. We knew that Nina would be popping in throughout the weekend but we feel that she went above and beyond. As we felt Bella did not need overnight visits, Nina came first thing in the morning to let her out etc and stayed for every visit at least 2-3 hours - visiting throughout the day for extended periods, before settling her for bed. Nina also sent us regular photos and videos which reassured us that Bella was being well cared for. In addition, Nina helped to train Bella which was definitely an added bonus. We 100% trusted Nina & could not have found a better dog sitter. We would absolutely recommend Nina to anyone requiring a pet sitter. Thank you so much for taking care of our family dog so well x”

Melanie K.

“I highly recommend Edita, she looked after our puppy for us this weekend and has done a fantastic job. She has been kind, loving and taken her out for some lovely walks. It means a lot to trust someone with your dog, but Edita made us feel comfortable about leaving our puppy with her and it was clear to us that she’s a dog person and spent lots of time doing nice things with her. Thank you so much ❤️”

Lauren S.

“Incredible!! As previous visit agata sent pictures throughout and they were so relaxed with it all. Book her again for 5 more stays throughout the year!!”

Iain C.

About: I have cared for animals my whole life, working on a farm for 6 years. Carry an animal management level 3 diploma & own personal insurance. Owned my own buisness Kosha a pet sitting company since October 2025 and wish to grow further in my pet sitting career I work full time within pet sitting - time off will be notified or dates privately booked up will be available on my calendar. Weekends (Friday to Mondays) House sits available along side all other care, Weekdays (Tuesday to Thursday) Walks and welfare visits before and after 8am to 2pm, Overnight stays available however not Day sits on these days. I DO NOT DO DAY CARE WITHIN MY PERSONAL HOME. Due to having my own pets within my family home, I do not wish to stress out mine and your pets. I enjoy following your pets routines to help reduce stress. Mental and stimulating games and play time while also keeping the balance with down time, Keeping your pets happy and healthy while you're away.

About: I grew up on a dairy farm with all kinds of animals and domestic pets and have had a lifelong love of dogs. I was trusted to look after pets for other people from an early age and regularly look after the dogs of friends, neighbours and work colleagues. I absolutely walking and my morning and evening walks are always the highlight of my day. I am currently working full time in a school five minutes from home, and walk my dog every morning before school and in the afternoon after school. I live in the beautiful Dorset countryside and have some wonderful varied woodland walks on my doorstep. At weekends I usually take dogs to the beach, always the highlight of the week! I am off work for half terms and school holidays and love being able to spend more time looking after pets. I have a fenced garden with room to play and run around and a super friendly cockapoo called Paddington who adores the company of other dogs. I stick to a routine of regular feeding times, two walks every day and regular play time and cuddle time! I will work to the routine of your dog to make them feel safe and welcomed.

About: Reliable and conscientious, caring and pro-active with 20 years experience in dog walking and dog sitting for friends and family. Based in Dorchester, Dorset. Access to a private garden and a multitude of walking routes, green spaces and bridleways, ideal for dog walks in the countryside, year round. Dependable and attentive = available to help with dog walking, boarding or general pet care. I provide daily feeding, walks and playtime, and take care of grooming and health needs on a weekly basis. Located in Poundbury, Dorchester, with access to a private fenced garden and a wide variety of walking routes, green spaces, and bridleways—perfect for countryside dog walks all year round. The household has no other pets.

“We were a little worried about having a house sitter for our two pugs. We found Karen on Rover.com and she was trustworthy, bonded with our dogs very quickly and really looked after them very well. We received photos every day whilst away and Karen was the perfect house sitter. We could see that our dogs were very happy on our return. Thank you Karen”

Kim H.

About: I have 6 years of experience training my own dog at home. I love dogs, they are my favourite animals in the world and one day I hope to own a dog sanctuary where I can rescue countless dogs across the country and the world. This is the start of my journey towards that. I believe that a happy dog is a well-managed dog. My approach is Force-Free and focuses on Positive Reinforcement to build a bond of trust and mutual respect. Here are the 8 core pillars I use to ensure every walk or visit is a high-quality learning experience: • The "Continuous to Variable" Method: I use treats to "bank" good behavior. For new skills, I reward every success; once mastered, I switch to random "jackpot" rewards to keep your dog focused and motivated without needing a bribe every time. • The Three D’s of Mastery: I help dogs bulletproof their commands by gradually increasing Distance from the dog, the Duration of the task, and the level of Distraction in the environment. • The "Be a Tree" Policy: I never allow a dog to pull. If the lead goes taut, I stop completely until it slackens, teaching them that a loose lead is the only way to move forward. • Tiered Reward Systems: I use "Standard" kibble for easy tasks and "High-Value" treats (like chicken or cheese) for emergency recall or high-distraction situations. • Short, High-Intensity Bursts: Dogs learn best in 5–10 minute sessions. I keep training short and always finish on a "win" to keep their confidence and engagement high. • Positive Reinforcement Only: I focus entirely on rewarding desired behaviors. I never use aversive equipment like choke chains or prong collars. • The "Watch Me" Check-In: I train dogs to respond to a "Watch" cue, allowing me to regain their attention immediately if a squirrel or another dog appears nearby. • Capturing Calmness: Beyond active commands, I reward "Settle" behaviors. If a dog chooses to relax while we wait at a crossing, they receive a calm reward to reinforce a relaxed default state. I balance a professional part-time role in Dorchester with a disciplined morning routine of market analysis, which I typically conclude by 11:00 AM. This structure allows me to dedicate the vast majority of my day to taking dogs on high-energy adventures through the Dorset countryside. While my professional shifts can vary, I am consistently available all day Monday, Tuesday, and Sunday. I pride myself on reliability and clear communication, ensuring your dog's routine is never disrupted. My long-term goal is to transition into full-time animal care, so I treat every walk as a commitment to building a lasting bond with your pet. I ensure that every pet has their own dedicated personal space, including their own bed, food, and water to maintain an stress-free environment. Your dog will have easy access to a secure, fully fenced garden for play and relaxation. During our outings, I strictly limit my groups to a maximum of 4 dogs at any one time. I believe that maintaining total control is the key to a safe and enjoyable walk in the Dorset countryside. For dogs that are less social or require more focused attention, I also offer specialized solo walks. To provide a truly comprehensive service, I can also incorporate basic training during our walks and offer grooming services, such as baths and brushing, to keep your pet looking and feeling their best. I will eventually get the license to have dogs at my property if you would prefer that as well.

About: Hi I am Ellie, and I adore animals. I am kind, responsible and have been house and pet sitting almost continually for 2 years. I have regular clients and some fantastic reviews. I have a wealth of experience with looking after dogs, horses ponies and cats. I enjoy moving around and seeing different areas and being able to enjoy long walks in the beautiful countryside. I have my little friendly and well behaved cocker spaniel with me who absolutely loves coming to sits with me, he is very used to all dogs and animals of all ages and it has worked out fantastically with my little furry partner in tow. I work remotely so will be available and on hand all day to take care of everything. My usual routing is a walk before work, a lunchtime stroll and then one in the evening with anyone who is keen. I make sure to communicate with home owners and take note of all the pets needs. I am security aware and clean and tidy. I am used to looking after large homes on my own and feel completely comfortable doing this.

About: I've taken care of all types of dogs from the age of 18, looking after my parents small dogs (Cavaliers) and large dogs (standard poodles) for months at a time when they would go on holiday. I have carried numerous dog / house sits for friends and family, ranging from small to big dogs, puppies and cats. In 2025 and early 2026, I travelled for 10 months around Europe, New Zealand and Australia and was hired for 5 x dog sits in Australia over the last 2 months of my stay. Two 10 day sits, and three 3-6 day sits. I have experience with handling and administering medication, with a recent sit, all three pets requiring AM and PM medication. I work remotely from my laptop full time, so can give around the clock attention to your beloved pets & take great care of your house. I am incredibly organized, neat and tidy. Early morning person who can adapt to any pet's routine. I am great at sending updates during a sit, so if you wish to only receive one update and one photo please let me know and I'll make sure not to send any more than this! If you have a particularly shy or harder dog to deal with then please do not hesitate to contact me as I am confident and love a challenge. Barking does not bother me as it is just them expressing how they are feeling. I work remotely from my laptop full time, so can give around the clock attention to your beloved pets & take great care of your house. I am incredibly organized, neat and tidy. Early morning person who can adapt to any pet's routine. I work remotely from my laptop full time, so can give around the clock attention to your beloved pets & take great care of your house. I am incredibly organized, neat and tidy. Early morning person who can adapt to any pet's routine.

“I was delighted to have Olivia stay at my home for 2 nights and look after my adopted Rescue Dog, Riley. He has only been with me for 2 weeks and I had never planned to leave him so early in the process but Olivia came to my rescue! She has so much experience with dogs and in particular rescue dogs so I knew Riley was in good hands. She kept me up to date with how he was doing and I was able to have those 3 days away without worrying. Olivia was supposed to finish her responsibilities last night at 8pm but my travel was delayed by over an hour and she was happy to stay on until 9pm. I have no hesitation in recommending Olivia for her kindness and patience in dealing with Riley. It’s obvious that she loves animals and wants to do what’s best for them”

Olive B.

About: I raised my 5 year old cocker spaniel, who loves ditch-the-bowl training. I'm a freelance outdoor instructor offering stimulating, long winter walks with new scents to enrich happy dogs. My two dogs enjoy morning and evening walks. With the garden always open, I provide 1-2 long weekday walks and adventurous weekend outings away from Sherborne. My garden is fenced, so they cannot escape. My two dogs will keep your dog company who are both very friendly and are used to other dogs staying. If they were to travel in the van I have seat belt clips, clips and a crate in the rear. I have a crate if your dog needs it's own space in the house too (Rusty sleeps under the stairs and Indi can sleep in our bedroom, so your dog can either sleep in the kitchen or living room). If you needed me to stay at your house, then I don't have to bring my dogs as my partner also works from home. We love dogs! We don't have children so they get a lot of fuss. I tend to use kibble/treats on their first walk with a retractable lead, to get a sense of recall and connection with the dog.

“Sarah was amazing - ran with unintentional chaos like a pro, spoilt Bernie rotten and generally treated both of us like members of her family. Just the support system I needed and a great communicator. I'm pretty sure Bernie was deeply disappointed that she wasn't a permanent addition.”

Jennifer D.