About Me

Hello! I'm Mark and live here in Chippenham (SN14) with my family, our dog Molly, previously our hamsters and I'm currently responsible for the flocks of Wood Pidgeons, Buntings and other birds that get fed every day!

Who's in our Home

You'll often see my wife and I around the Chippenham area with our Westie, Molly. You may have encountered her. She's the one that's been so well socialised she thinks everyone is a member of the family and loves nothing more than dropping into Grounded in town for some snacks and a few cuddles.

We're doing more than just Dog Sitting!

When your dog stays with us they get more than just a safe place to stay. We treat them like a member of the family, we'll try not to spoil them too much, no promises! We don’t just take your dog’s name and feeding schedule then 'look after' them - we like to turn the stay into more of a 'retreat' where we'll have adventures, fun walks and play sessions, along with relaxing evenings of grooming, cuddles and sofa time to make the stay enriching and memorable.

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About the Services I offer

I offer a range of services including dog walking, home visits, doggy day care and overnight stays.

Reinforecement training is included in the services, see below.

- Dog Walks

You can book a 30 minute or 60 minute walk, morning and/or evening. We do these throughout the day. I'll come and collect your dog for free if you're within 5 miles of SN14 as that's most of Chippenham. Please be aware that from pick-up to drop off can be around 2 to 3 hours depending on where we go and who I have to collect and drop off as I go around. Please note that walks are on-leash until recall is clearly established.

- Check-in Visits to your home

Choose from a 30 minute or 60 minute visit check-in on your dog. If you're having a busy day or need to be away at work, etc. then why not book a home visit so your dog has some company, can be let out and given some lunch or dinner as needed. I'll also spend some time keeping your dog company and have some cuddles and play. While I'm there I'll be happy to run around with your doggy while we put out the rubbish, turn on the lights, draw the curtains, bring in the Amazon parcles, etc. as needed.

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# Why not have your dog stay at our home and be part of the family environment?

If you're going to be away for the entire day and don't want your dog home alone then let's have them stop at our family home for the day. They'll be in great company! Molly the Westie will be there for doggy company and my wife and I will be there for human company.

- Doggy Day Stay at our home

A typical Day Stay will see your dog walked in the morning, given lunch, we'll have a cuddle and rest period afterwards, then a play in the afternoon with a few treats to break the day up, followed by an early evening walk and dinner if your dog is a 2-meals-per day dog. We usually run the Day Stay from 8.00am to 6.00pm but can be flexible around the exact times.

- Overnight Stay at our home

If you're going to be away overnight bring your dog to our home and we'll look after them for you overnight. We'll do a fun evening walk and dinner, a good brushing/grooming session, a bit of play with thier favourite toys and then hit the sofa for some cuddles and relax time. Overnight your dog will be upstairs with us unless they prefer to sleep alone. In the morning we'll go for a walk and have breakfast. Overnight Stays run from 6.00pm to 9.00am the next day, but as always we can be flexible on the exact times.

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Reinforcement Training

If your dog seems to have lost thier edge with basic commands and behaviour then just let me know. We can include that in the walks and stays. Sit, Stay, Down/Stay, Recall, Pulling, Jumping Up, Threshold and Reactivity can all be covered.

Structured Training Sessions - I'll be offering these later in 2025.

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Other Information

- We have only 2 guest dogs at any one time.

- Your dog will need to have current vaccinations and Flea/Tick treatment.

- Your dog will be supervised 24/7 as my wife and I work from home, no dogs are left alone.

- If you need medications administering we can do that to your vets guidelines.

- Our visiting dogs are allowed to sleep wherever they feel most comfortable, in our bedroom, on our bed, on thier own. If you want to have your dog separated or in a crate or pen then just let us know.

- We do at least two walks per day of 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the dog's energy level and weather, varying length and location to suit your dog.

- Non-Smoking home with an enclosed walled garden and large gates. 

- DBS Cleared and Fully Insured.

- Trained in Dog Behaviour, Law and First Aid with the BCCS.