How it works

Is your pet ...

Vaccinated

Insured

Registered with a vet

Micro chipped

The first thing we would need to do is to find out about you, you’re pets, and your needs. I may be asking questions like what medication does your pet need. Are there any special hand/verbal signals for your pet? Does he or she dislike joggers etc? Next we can decide the best way to acclimatise your pet to me and my dogs.

For very dominant or very timid dogs I would normally want to walk your dog with you accompanying us. This would show your dog that you think I am safe and secure. Once we are confident your dog is happy with me, we would then go for a walk with my dogs coming too. After that it’s time to try your dog indoors to get him / her relaxed in a smaller space. Again after, a walk and then all dogs together indoors.

Uppermost in my mind will always be the happiness and safety of all the dogs and pets, followed closely by all the humans. We can never be certain that our dog will like any individual human or dog, so gentle introductions are the best way to maximise our chances that everyone gets on well. How long all this takes varies from pet to pet. In some cases 20 minutes is all is needed for the whole process. For other dogs several days are needed. If you think your pet would benefit from a longer introduction period then we should get started without delay. Time pressures can cause anxiety transfer to your pet and make the process take longer. So if we get acquainted before that last minute trip you’d love to take: there would be no reason not to go. All visits while we are getting to know each other are free of charge as the pet would still be in your care.

After walks I will towel dry your dog and make sure he or she has water before I leave them at your home.

While your pet is staying with me (day care or overnight) it would be very reassuring for them if you can provide me with their normal food bowls and bedding. Although I have a box full of toys at home, if your pet has a favourite there is nothing to stop him or her bringing it with them.

Both my dogs have been neutered. If your female is in season, or may come in to season I am still happy to look after her provided she is not going to be overly distressed by the initial extra attention from sensitive noses.

If I were entrusting my beloved pets in another persons care I would want to be absolutely sure my pet was going to be safe and loved so please do feel free to ask all the questions you need to.

The Dogmother