What are some good questions to ask a potential pet sitter?

I think it’s very important to ask for credentials up front. If you’re just going to have a neighbor or friend watch your pets that’s one thing, but I think many pet owners don’t realize that anyone can call themselves a pet sitter. Make sure you are entrusting your home and most importantly your animals to someone who is a professional, make sure they are insured, have some type of certification, check references and make sure you have a consult before setting any pet sit visits up.

What is the perfect day for you?

Any day I can work with dogs is a pretty close to perfect. My favorite days on the job are when I can take a few dogs hiking or out to a lake. This probably sounds very nerdy, but I also like to spend time at dog parks and observe behavioral tendencies and instincts when dogs are playing and meeting. It’s also pretty darn satisfying when I am training and start to see the light bulbs going off!

What is your favorite breed of dog? and why?

Well, not to be cliche, but pound puppies are the way to go. I’m also one hundred percent behind the movement to call them the  All American dog. Most of the shelter dogs I’ve worked with are the epitome of the species. Every time I think about it, it blows my mind, the fact that these animals have the capacity to trust again, to be eternal optimists even after in some situations being abandoned or physically hurt by their owners. It’s one of life’s miracles and we as a species would do well to take some lessons.

What is the naughtiest deed a pet has done while the owner was away?

Wow, I feel like I’m telling a secret. Luckily, I haven’t had anything too terrible happen, honestly, the worst has been hiding and pooping! I’m sure the day will come though when I’m at someone’s house and Fifi decides to find mommies Prada shoes! That’s why there’s insurance right!

I love that you do overnight stays! personal question: do you let the dogs sleep with you? Mine want to know

Of course. I have always kept the bed open to the pups. I do sort of have to lay down the law though. It’s part of my training regimen that when dog’s start acting out or losing their place in the family, priveleges are taken away and sleeping in the bed is usually the first to go.

As a trainer, give us one basic tip for training a new puppy.

BE PATIENT!!! I think a common mistake with new puppy owners is that they are so eager they start out the gate trying to train basic obedience and recalls. Start with the basics, bonding, building trust, and socialinzing your puppy should come before perfecting a sit stay. Get your newbie into a puppy class. I would recommend Behave Canine Solutions, I personally vouch that these trainers really know what they’re talking about.

What is your travel distance for pet care?

I like to keep my work in the northeast and southeast, I don’t get downtown too much and then I have a few clients in southwest. I do make exceptions for my special needs or handicapped pets though. That’s my big passion and I’ll make it out of my way from them.

Hush puppies or cornbread? (my husband is from chattavegas)

Ha ha ha ha ha, a true southerner puts those into separate categories!! Hush puppies with your seafoods and cornbread with the homegrown veggies on sunday’s. My grandmother makes the best skillet cornbread, ok, you’re making me miss Louisiana now!

What do you love most about your job?

I love the fact that I have been able to translate my story, my passion and make it work.

What inspires you to do this kind of work?

Many many things draw me to working with dogs, but I;ll tell ya what really got me and it just happened about two years ago. I went through a really tough few years with a dog that I chose to keep after a failed surgery that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He was a big boy, you can imagine what all that entails. A lot of people that knew me were shocked by the decision and some were even mad at me for my putting my life on hold. Those thoughts never crossed my mind. What inspires me is that before I had gone through this process I would have never thought I could be so giving or selfless or compassionate. That’s when I really understood the power of dogs, that they can teach us so much about outselves and about life. If you want the rest of the story, that might be another article!

What was that one WOW moment that you knew you were doing a good thing?

I haven’t ever questioned that one. I suppose the first time I was able to give someone peice of mind. Knowing that they could go to work and that their beloved dog who couldn’t go to the bathroom by himself or that needed a bandage changed, would be in good hands and loved and safe until they got home.

Any other thoughts you would like to share?

Give your dog’s the love they give to you!!!

With the holidays approaching be sure to plan ahead the care for your pets! You can contact DogMa Care at 503.816.5009. Become a fan of DogMa on Facebook!

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