Dog Boarding in West Haven

Hi guys, we are back! After several months of being displaced because of water damage, we are back home and ready to enjoy pups again:)

Hi! I'm Mark and my wife Kate and my four boys (Jeremy, Thomas,Hunter, & Matty) would love to watch your dog(s). We have plenty of experience when it comes to dogs and in all honesty we can't get enough doggie time!

We are a family who loves being together and doing everything together. Unfortunately over the past few years we haven't been able to take our dogs on vacation with us and finding a safe, comfortable, and affordable place for them to stay has always added an extra stress that really shouldn't be there.

On our last drive back from Florida in the spring we all talked about how we would love to start helping others out when it comes to dog watching and I am very proud to say that since joining Rover we have just fallen in love with this opportunity and have enjoyed meeting all these new fur babies as well as the owners!

When we go away we expect our dogs to be treated like little princes so rest assure that when you drop your dog(s) off they will be treated the same! Whether your dog(s) are here for a few hours or a few weeks just know that they will all be treated like a member of our family. The dogs that we watch always enjoy our family walks everyday as well as watching TV and playing video games with the boys. Oh and Kate loves to make homemade treats in the kitchen with the dogs as well as making dog toys for them to play with. We try to make the dog(s) visits as stress free and enjoyable as possible.

We also like to treat our furry friends to a trip to the dog park and even over to Wentworths for ice cream (they make a K-9 crunch) on those hot summer days!

While away we can text photos, face time, or do whatever you need us to do in order to give you peace of mind! Our prices include everything from lodging to walks to snack and YES we can pick up and/or drop off for no additional fees!! If there is anything that we can do to make your dog(s) feel more at home or you have any special requests please just let us know!

Any questions feel free to ask and we will get back to you asap. Thanks for your time and we look forward to hearing from you :)

Mark & Kate Barriger

We have fostered for a variety of rescue organizations over the years and have offered dog sitting services to the Yale community since 1993. In 2008 I took a pet first aid course through the Red Cross and we created our initial Rover profile in 2016. We love it!

NOTE: Because we accept multiple dogs and do not crate unless the owner instructs us to do so we have made our profile on the long side to give you a feel for our household and our dog care style. As much as we love dogs and have oriented our household toward their happiness and safety it would be unrealistic to think that we will be the perfect fit for every dog and their owner. Therefore, although our long profile may seem tedious and the plethora of photos unnecessary, we do hope you’ll read it through before contacting us as most of your questions would be answered here.

A picture is worth a thousand words! In addition to our profile pics, the photos of boarding dogs that we upload have been set to public. We urge you to read our profile completely and to look at the photos to get a feel for our home and family and for the sort of dogs who board here. AFTER you have done that you can contact us for a potential booking and a meet and greet if you are so inclined.

We live on a dead-end street in a quiet neighborhood and have an older home that is cozy and geared toward canine comfort and fun rather than human aesthetics. Dog beds, blankets and pillows are scattered on the floor. There are indoor and outdoor doggy toy boxes and these are frequently emptied by the dogs. Stuffing from toys that have been ripped open is not an uncommon sight. Dogs may sit on the furniture or snooze on human beds.

The relaxed, “doggie-sleepover” look and feel of our home does not mean that it is dirty or unsafe. Medicines and cleaning supplies are not accessible to the dogs and the flooring and dog bedding are cleaned regularly. We have our recycling bins elevated so that dogs cannot cut their mouths on tin cans or chew on plastic. We try to be proactive and avoid problems in matters of safety while at the same time being relaxed and indulgent when it comes to fun and comfort.

Our backyard is enclosed with a fence that is 6 feet tall and locked. I do this full time so the dogs have potty breaks in the yard every 2-3 hours, free roam of the house and constant supervision and attention.

NOTE ABOUT OUR FENCE: One of our dogs was a digger and would escape by digging under the fence. We dug a one foot trench along the fence line and attached wood to the fence— meaning the fence now extends about a foot underground to prevent escape.

One great feature of our house is that there aren't any doors that open directly onto a public street. Our back door opens into the fenced in backyard and our front door opens onto an enclosed entry porch with a separate door. This gives an extra layer of protection against a visiting dog bolting and running loose.

We tend to be a good match for dogs who are diggers, climbers and general escape artists as our home and property thwart their efforts. If you have such a dog and you’re anxious about leaving them our set up may put you at ease and spare your pup from being cooped up in a kennel somewhere.

We are custodial grandparents of a teenage girl. She is an honor student and athlete as well as an animal lover. She loves helping out with the dogs and our repeat clients love her and appreciate the extra TLC their dogs receive from her.

We usually have our profile set to accept up to 5 or 6 boarding dogs but on average we usually have two or three. We prefer the hunting breeds and their mixes as they are almost unfailingly good natured. However we are open to any type of dog except the bully breeds. Sometimes there may be overlap between pickups and drop offs resulting in a greater number of dogs for a few hours, especially on Sundays.

Dogs are pack creatures and usually very social beings. The majority of dogs are thrilled to be in our home, roaming free and playing with their friends. We try to create a setting that appeals to their instincts, provides a different experience from what they have at home and distracts them from the fact that their favorite humans aren’t around. Even dogs who are shy or hesitant often blossom here, quickly find their place in the pack and have an awesome experience.

However, there are dogs who simply aren’t going to adjust and relax in a setting with multiple, free roaming dogs. We have been doing this long enough that a brief meet and greet is enough to give us a sense of how your dog would do here. We prefer that all dogs have a meet and greet before their stay. The larger your dog and/or the longer their stay, the more we will insist upon it.

Some of our doggie clients are elderly, disabled or a couch potato breed such as greyhounds. Our home works for them too. Once they get past the introductory stage most dogs respect another dog’s need for space and quiet. Many times we have had a pack of younger dogs chasing each other all over the house while a senior dog curls up in the corner on a cozy dog bed. We can accommodate just about anything except a dog with a bad temperament.

Since I’m always here anyway I’m generally relaxed about changes to your travel plans or delays in your return. I’m not going to freak if your plane is delayed or if bad weather makes driving unsafe and delays your dog’s pick-up. We’ve been through it many times and we don’t get upset.

We are also pretty good about last minute bookings. If your regular sitter bails on you last minute or you need to get away quickly due to a family emergency we will work with you and be as accommodating as we can providing your dog would be a good fit here.

Only a conscientious and loving doggie parent would make it through our entire profile. If you have then it’s a great first impression of you. We can only hope that your impression of us will be just as positive should you decide to set up a meet and greet.

Thanks for taking the time to read through our profile and for considering us for your dog’s care.

Hello there, welcome to Doggy Delight! A convenient and affordable alternative to costly kennels whenever you need to get away. I've got a small chihuahua/beagle mix who gets along great with other dogs. My place is conveniently located in a quiet part of downtown Bridgeport that is very walkable with several nice grassy areas that doggy's love. My doggy Shadae and I enjoy taking long walks, and we'd sure love some company. Give Doggy Delight! a try, you will not be disappointed!

***There is a $10/day added fee for boarding/daycare for dogs that are NOT housetrained.***

Hi. I have had dogs all my life since early child hood of many types - German Shepherd, Beagle, Basset, Great Dane, etc. Also cats, a skunk, squirrel and once a Red Tailed Hawk that had been injured as a young bird. My daughters, wife and I most recently had a beloved Portuguese Water Dog we named Shakespeare. He was the runt of a litter out of a champion show dog, Olivia. We loved him but he passed away due to a stroke at the age of 15 years. We miss him terribly but do not feel the time is best to take on another dog emotionally for our daughter, so providing love and 2nd family for your dog would be a great option. Hope you agree with us. Your pet gets as second family of Dad, Mom and daughter to shower she or he or they with love, scratches, rubs permissible treats!

Doggie daycare and overnight stays at my home.

Fun, safe and lots of love!!!!

Hi my name is Claudia. I live with my 17 year old son, my golden Retriever Gracie, and 1 cat.

I'm a retired owner of a Doggie Daycare and Boarding facility. I also trained service dogs for a great non-profit organization. With my experience in caring for all breeds and temperaments and because I missed the happy tails,the wet noses, the kisses and the unconditional love of all my doggies I decided to open the doors of my home to them. And here I'm now meeting new doggies every day.

I assure you that when your pups are under my care they receive lots of play time ,love, & outdoor exercise, Or if they prefer just to relax we have two private decks or cozy beds in the living room to nap.

About this sitter:

Doggie daycare and overnight stays at my home.

Fun, safe and lots of love!!!!

Hi my name is Claudia. I live with my 12 year old son, my golden Retriever Gracie, and 2 cats.

I'm a retired owner of a Doggie Daycare and Boarding facility with experience in caring for all breeds and temperaments. I missed the happy tails,the wet noses, the kisses and the unconditional love of all my doggies, I decided to open the doors of my home to them. Here I'm now meeting new doggies every day, with happy tales to share.

I assure you that when your pups are under my care they receive lots of play time ,love, & outdoor exercise, Or if they prefer just to relax we have two private decks or cozy beds in the living room to nap.

Why I love dog sitting

all my life!!.... I was eight years old when I got my first dog. I named her Fanny. And since then I haven't been able to survive without the unconditional love that only dogs can give.

Meet my pets

A friendly ,spayed Golden Retriever and two cats.

We have a fenced yard

My experience administering medication

yes. Oral and topical.

My name is David. I've been around dogs much of my life. Until recently, we had a wonderful Yellow Lab named Woody. My entire family loves dogs and we have dog visitors in our house for both short and long term stays. Rest assured that your pup will receive so much love and attention during their visit with us. I'm home most of the day, so your dog will have that all important companionship while your not at home. My wife Kelly is a dog lover as well and is here in the evenings for our overnight guests. Also I should mention my daughter Jenna will give your furry friend lots of hugs and playtime as well. I'm happy to provide references from our happy clients who can communicate our love for dogs and the special care we've given their dogs. We welcome the opportunity to provide a happy and safe haven for your dog.

Hello Everyone. My name is Monique Soleil and I am a full time experienced dog carer. My boyfriend Anthony and I have been taking care of dogs for several years now. Our passion for caring after our furry friends (furriends) developed through our participation for the ASPCA organization as volunteered pet guardians. Our mission was to give each pet an opportunity to be adopted and welcomed into a new loving home. Whether nurturing a sick kitten back to health or helping a dog learn to love and be loved, thanks to our care and attention, We single-handedly changed a pets life for the better. I am a veterinarian technician student who studies online and works from home. This allows me the time to supervise your dog during the day and provide careful and personal attention to him/her while you are away. As for my boyfriend Anthony who is a Veterinary Technician; He helps me a great deal with any special need dogs and medical administration requests . We both work together and LOVE what we do. We make sure to provide lots of TLC for your pet and most importantly we make sure to offer the quality service you and your pet deserve.

We promise to provide :

* Multiple potty breaks throughout the day.

-Morning, Afternoon and Evening-

* Pictures daily via Rover app

* A spacious and large backyard for running and exercise ( Entirely Fenced )

*A clean and dog proof environment

* And last but not least, lots of love and care.

MEET & GREETS ARE HIGHLY SUGGESTED. Although in certain circumstances this may sometimes be difficult we do prefer to meet and make sure it is the best fit for both parties. Your dog's comfort is most important to us. We will do everything to make sure your dog will feel just at home. Therefore During our meeting we will discuss all questions or concerns regarding their stay. This includes what will be needed as well as daily instructions and so on.

Every once and a while a dog enters your life and changes everything, and I wouldn't have it any other way! The love that I have for my dogs is indescribable, they certainly have become a huge part of my life and I find myself always working my schedule around my dogs. I understand how stressful it can be to leave your pet home while away but I can reassure you your pet will be spoiled with love, attention and playtime so you can enjoy a stress/worry free vacation. I send daily updates of photos and videos of your fur baby, we go for long walks over the weekend (1.5 Miles -2 Miles) and of course playtime in the backyard. I also accommodate any special requests, I have experience in administering shots and medicine. TONS of experience with puppies, crate and potty-training. I have personal experience from working with my dog trainer in behavior modification and leash training, if you have any questions just let me know!

I have always been a dog lover. My childhood and teen years were shared with three energetic boxers. Since I have gotten married we have owned two golden retrievers. Our first golden (Sandy) spent twelve wonderful years with us, sometimes sharing vacations with the family. After she passed we got a male golden (Jake), a beautiful and energetic dog who still is with us. Both my husband Nick and I love dogs. He seems to possess a natural affinity for animals and has logged endless miles taking Jake on various excursions. We have a fenced in yard that any dog would love to play in. We have always been devoted to our pets, providing for both their physical and emotional needs. My schedule is very flexible and I will be able to share quality time with any canine guest. We promise to provide a safe and loving environment for any pets who are left in our care.

Why I love dog sitting

I have been a dog lover all my life. I grew up with dogs and since married we have had two golden retrievers including my present dog Jake.

About my yard

Backyard is totally fenced in.

My experience administering medication

Yes if necessary

We are a retired married couple in our early sixties. John has had dogs since childhood and together we have had a dog our entire married life. We had my mother's dog living with us at one time.

While we keep a neat and uncluttered home, muddy paws and dog fur on the furniture are not issues with us. We couldn't imagine not cuddling on the sofa with our yellow Lab Scout. We have many windows for outside viewing and a sliding door from the spacious living room to a gated deck and gated and fenced in back yard. The kitchen also opens to the deck, which runs the length of the house. There is always fresh water available on the deck. This being said, no dog will ever be left unsupervised outside.

Dogs are allowed to sleep on furniture but we also provide dog beds. We will walk dogs and feed them according to owners instructions.

We take many outdoor breaks for exercise and relaxing. Scout enjoys bird and squirrel watching and good old romping the yard!

Hours for sitting are very flexible and include days, evenings, nights and weekends and holidays. We do require dogs to be spayed or neutered and new guests to schedule a free meet and greet through our experience we have seen new guest pups have an easier first time adjusting .

. We love our dog and are ready to welcome your pet to our home. We promise to care for your dog as we do ours and hope to meet you soon!

Sincerely, John and Patti