Ross

AVAILABILITY

Do contact me if you are looking for a sitter. All well behaved, housetrained small to medium size dogs (up to Labrador) will be welcome. If they can sleep in a basket and are happy to be alone occasionally for a few hours without barking, we will get along very well.

Notice: for new dogs, please give at least a week'snotice, to allow for a meet and greet.

No non-neutered/non-spayed dogs, or non-housetrained puppies, thank you.

MY AVAILABILTY: I will often have availability for dog boarding during school holiday times and half terms, also at weekends during term times (Saturday through Sunday and into Monday mornings). I work from home as a musician. I will often have availability for doggy day care on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during term time.

EXPERIENCE: I have looked after my own dogs (Jack Russells) for 25 years, and also dogs belonging to friends and neighbours. Now that I no longer have my own dogs, I would like to offer other owners the reassurance that their pets can be looked after and treated as one of the family while the owners are away from home. This includes meeting all their needs: a safe, dry and comfortable place to sleep; fresh drinking water; good food; access to garden toileting areas, stimulation through play, and exercise through walks.  

I enjoy canine company and am willing to do all the mucky jobs that come with caring: picking up poo, basic brushing and cleaning, wiping weepy eyes etc. I recently spent a year volunteering with a pet dog training instructor, so I have experience of the behaviour of many different dog breeds. If any undesirable behaviour occurs, I use positive reinforcement to shape and reward acceptable behaviour. I would never shout at, hit or hurt any dog.

I also have experience of looking after partially sighted dogs with diabetes, injecting them twice daily with insulin, and have training in dog first-aid.

WALKIES: A small enclosed public garden with lawns, shrubs and trees is about 8 minutes walk away. Ham Lands and the towpath at Teddington Lock are about 10 minutes walk away, and Radnor Gardens 20 minutes walk. I will only walk your dog on a lead (extending lead is fine) so they will always be recallable for safety. In very hot weather, I can offer the dog a cooling pad to lie on, and a bandana soaked in cool water. Any walks in very hot weather would be taken very early in the cool part of the morning.

My garden has plenty of lawn, secure fencing and a patio area near the house which can be fenced off from the main garden.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Any dog that I will look after for you must wear a tag with the owner's surname, address and phone number. This is a legal requirement in place to protect your dog (Control of Dogs Act 1992). Your dog will need to be up to date with vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. This helps ensure that I can keep all dogs free from illnesses and parasites. Any dog that I look after will be walked on-leash only. 

I am aware of items which are poisonous to dogs, and will be on the lookout to avoid these (eg grapes, chocolate, daffodils, onions, chewing gum, sugar-free sweets, avocados, flower bulbs, acorns, coffee grounds).

PLEASE NOTE: I do not look after dogs who are extremely boisterous or reactive to other dogs with aggressive behaviour. Your dog must be housetrained and able to walk calmly on a lead. All well behaved small to medium size dogs (up to Labrador) will be welcome.