FAQ's

Yes to all three! 

Absolutely!! I have references for each service I provide.

I gladly accept Cash, Venmo, or invoicing through the Time to Pet Software.

Cancelation Policies

• Cancellations of "walks" may be made up to 24 hours before the scheduled walk with no cancellation fee. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are due in full. If I arrive at your house on the scheduled day and you forget to cancel, I will charge for the visit, regardless of whether I walk the dog or not. 

• Cancellations for private "training" with less than 36 hours' notice will be charged a $40 cancellation fee. If I arrive at your house on the scheduled day and you forget to cancel, I will charge the full price of the visit.

• Cancellations of "drop-in" and "in-home" vacation sittings may be made up to twenty-one (21) days before the first scheduled day of the visit. Cancellations made less than twenty-one (21) days before the scheduled service will incur a 50% charge of the service. No credits will be given for visits canceled due to a client's early return home. Clients returning home early must pay for the reserved number of visits.

• Cancellation of the "drop-in" and "in-home" vacation sitting during November, December, and January may be made up to thirty (30) days in advance of the first scheduled sit. Cancellations of less than thirty (30) days are due in full. Please understand that pet-sitting and boarding services receive more requests for reservations than they can handle during the holiday period. I may have turned away other clients because I reserved time for you during a busy season. No credits will be given for visits canceled due to a client's early return home. Clients returning home early must pay for the reserved number of visits.

Nope, I like all breeds, large and small. 

I will work with you before the in-person consultation to discuss your dog's unique situation. Your dog's comfort and safety are my top priority. 

***Dogs who require special handling or attention may require an additional charge.  

I have leashes, harnesses, poop bags, and treats. A collar with updated tags is what most owners need. If you need to send your dog out with specific treats for dietary reasons, that can be arranged. 

All pets need to be up to date on vaccinations, including rabies and flea treatments. If your pet is sick or contagious, please let me know whether services can be performed and whether any special arrangements need to be made. Please understand these requests are made in the best interest of your pet and other pets we may care for or encounter. 

Yes. I have a hand-to-hand policy for the safety of your home. Keeping your keys on file allows me to visit your pet(s) with much shorter notice, so you are not inconvenienced with meetings for key return and key pickup, which are $15 per occurrence. If you do not wish to keep your keys on file, a meeting will be scheduled to return your keys once you have returned home. 

Most of my walks are individual. I am happy to walk pups with a buddy or two, as long as they are similar in size and temperament and the owners give permission. 

Absolutely! I know life happens, and sometimes you get in a pinch and need help. Should you have a last-minute request, please try to let me know before the office closes so I can do my best to make it happen. The more notice you can give, the better. My office hours are 7 AM-10 PM Monday-Sunday. If you catch me outside of these hours, I will respond to your request first thing the next business day. 

Yes! When young puppies first come home, it's a transition process to begin walking outside (whether pre-vaccinations, the big city's scary bustle, or a combination of both). I will come to your home for 30 minutes to play and focus on socialization, practice puppy basics, offer tons of positive reinforcement and love, and clean up/replace wee pads. 

I train dogs with kindness, not intimidation. That means no shock collars,  prong collars, or leash jerks. Nope. I'm all about Force-Free training—teaching without pain, fear, or coercion.

My go-to method? Positive Reinforcement. It means I add something your dog loves—like treats or toys. I encourage good behavior. 

I also use a bit of Negative Punishment—but don't let the name scare you. It simply means removing something to discourage unwanted behavior. Is Fido getting too rowdy during playtime? A quick pause from the fun helps him learn to dial it down.

And, of course, I manage the environment to keep things calm and set your dog up for success because no one—human or canine—learns well in chaos.

So, in short, I combine science, snacks, and sanity to help your dog learn in the most positive way possible.

You bet! It's essential to maintain the routines your dog is accustomed to. The best and most effective training is rooted in Positive Reinforcement. What does that mean? Positive Reinforcement in its pure form means we reward the behaviors we want, so they continue to be offered by the dog. My rewards include treats, toys, verbal praise, balls, eye contact, belly rubs, and lots and LOTS of pets. I make training FUN to ensure those lessons stick. 

Yes! Your pet is part of your family, and I know how important it is to have someone you know and trust in your home caring for your pet.  

My training services vary considerably from dog to dog. They vary in structure, layout, cost, and duration. My training services are custom-tailored to the specific situation. I evaluate several factors before building a training plan for you, such as your dog's age, temperament, previous training, and the owner's desired goals. What will work for one dog and owner won't necessarily fit well with another. Because of these factors, I offer a 30-45-minute consultation as an opportunity to meet with your family and your dog to gain insight into the unique circumstances that affect your dog's training. I will evaluate the factors during the consultation and develop a training plan for your dog and family. From the training plan, I will be able to give you an accurate idea of the cost of accomplishing your goals. 

Absolutely! I love small critters! Count on me to check on them too. 

Many cats are shy, especially with new people. I will search your house for your cat to make sure she is only hiding and not injured. If your cat hides, I will ask you to show me their favorite hiding places. Even if your cat hides, I will spend the full visit time at your house. Often a cat that hides on the first visit will come out of hiding and get attention on the second visit. Some cats hide very well. As a result, I may not be able to find them. I will use other evidence to ascertain that your cat is doing well when this happens. Evidence includes seeing if food is being eaten and if the litter box is being used. 

I believe in taking care of you and your pets. Your and your dog's safety is our #1 priority. Below are the protocols I follow for each visit.

• I will be equipped with safety equipment, including face masks, hand sanitizer, and company-approved leashes. I will always practice social distancing.

• Dogs may wear their harnesses and flat collars; however, I will be equipped with a company-approved leash to clip to the existing gear.

• I will have a mask, which will be worn inside buildings, homes, and anytime I am close to other people.

• I will use hand sanitizer. It should be used after touching any surface or coming into contact with anyone. Hand sanitizer will be used before arriving at each scheduled appointment.

• I will always stay 6+ feet away from people while on a walk and avoid crowded places.

• I will not allow other people or dogs to touch the dog I am walking.

In addition to the safety measures above, I will ask all our clients to practice safety precautions and social distancing when using our services.

How can you, the client, help:

• I ask that all dog equipment be left near the front door for easy access.

• Please leave the collar and/or harness on your dog, so they are ready to be clipped in.

• Practice social distancing when I pick up/drop off your dog.

• If you or a family member are feeling ill, please notify me so I can take proper precautions or cancel the scheduled walk.

• Please consider bringing your dog out to the porch and handing the dog off outside if you are home.

• Please disinfect commonly used areas such as doorknobs, entrance table, etc.

• Help me limit my time in your home by placing food and any needed supplies in plain sight with easy access.

I will continue to follow guidelines from state, local, and health officials and keep my policies up to date.

If you have any feedback or additional steps that would help you feel more comfortable, please get in touch, and I'll do my best to accommodate.