Smarty Paws announces the addition of a new service – Dog Sitting!

Your puppy/dog will live in my loving home just like any other member of my family. Along with the resident monsters, he will receive lots of attention, exercise and socialization with humans and other dogs. There will be crating time but it will be limited to overnight, mealtimes if/when other dogs are present and occasional brief periods during the day only if/when I can’t provide supervision (I do shower on occasion ).

What I do:
1. Feed your dog according to your feeding schedule and instructions.
2. Administer oral medications, vitamins, supplements as requested and provided.
3. Walk your dog 2x daily (weather permitting).
4. Play and socialization time, with humans and other dogs, indoors and out, throughout the day.
5. Hugs, kisses and belly rubs throughout day!
6. Reinforce any current training.
7. Routine brushing/combing, if required.
8. Flexible pick-up and drop-off times. Getting home a little late and don’t want to wait until the next day to bring your furkid home? I will accommodate late pick-ups up to 11pm.
9. Provide day-care. Perhaps you are not going away but will be out all day and don’t want your furkid home alone all day.

There are limits on the size and number of dogs I can sit for at one time so be sure to book your pooch’s stay early!

The following restrictions apply:
1. Dog sitting by appointment only. Please contact Smarty Paws at least 2-weeks in advance to check for availability – earlier for holiday weeks.
2. Your dog must be comfortable in a crate. There will be very limited crating but dogs will absolutely be crated overnight and during feeding times when other dogs are present. Puppies that are not potty trained will be crated periodically during the day in accordance with a potty-training schedule.
3. Your dog MUST be dog friendly. Sorry - for the safety of my dogs, other clients’ dogs and your own dog, I cannot sit for dog-aggressive dogs!
4. You must provide proof of current vaccinations from your vet AND a recent Bordatella shot (within 6-mos). Again, this is for the safety of all dogs in my home.
5. Your dog must be on a flea & tick prevention protocol and free of fleas and ticks.
6. Size limit of 35lbs! I can sometimes make exceptions so please call me to ask about your dog if over 35lbs.
7. Special-needs dogs, injured dogs or dogs sick with something non-contagious: Boarding of these dogs will depend on the level of their needs and amount of boarders I have at the time. Please contact me to discuss your dog’s needs. If I do not feel I can meet or keep up with your dog’s needs, I will ask you to make other arrangements. If your dog is sick, I will need a statement from your vet that he is NOT contagious.

What I DON’T do:
1. Take in a sick dog that is contagious. If your dog is sick, I will need a statement from your vet that he is NOT contagious.
2. Train your dog. I will work to reinforce the training your dog already has but I will not teach new behaviors (unless it’s a slow time and I get bored ).
3. Provide food – Your dog’s diet should NOT be changed when boarding so you must bring enough of your dog’s regular food and treats to last for his entire stay.
4. Bathing/Grooming. If you bring me a dirty dog, you will get back a dirty dog. If you bring me a tangled/matted dog, you will get back a tangled/matted dog. However, if your dog requires regular brushing/combing, that will be done. And, if your dog somehow gets dirty during his stay (any diggers out there? ), I will bathe him before you pick him up.
5. Administer medication by injection. Oral medications only.
6. Day care every day. Day care is by appointment and subject to my availability.
7. Pick-up or Drop-off.
8. Take credit cards.

Rates vary from $35-$50 per day, per dog, depending on your dog’s size and needs. Daycare (up to 10 hours) is $25.