Hi, I'm Sandra!
I am a certified dog trainer, behavior consultant, & pet sitter, utilizing humane & evidence-based methods 💜
I'm a member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) & the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). I own a little business called Benny's Best Dog Training. You can find me on Google and Nextdoor.
I started working with dogs as an undergrad 10 years ago, as a dog handler, pet sitter, & overnight caretaker in daycares in NYC, working up to managing a couple of facilities. I also worked & volunteered at rescues in NYC & Phoenix. I currently volunteer my time as a handler, trainer, & behavior consultant 🐶
Pet sitting:
I have experience with most dog breeds & am comfortable with pups of all sizes, ages, & temperaments. Working with anxious, reactive, and aggressive dogs is my bread and butter, so if you need someone with more experience and behavior knowledge, I'm the gal for the job! I'll gladly look after your cat, gecko, hamster, tarantula, teacup pig, or pygmy goats as well!
If Lucky is an active guy who enjoys the outdoors, I'd love to take him hiking or running. Or, I would be happy to snuggle on the couch with your more mellow pooch :)
I have no issues administering medication or doing other house sitting duties (picking up mail, watering the plants, taking out garbage, you name it!).
I treat your home with respect and leave everything clean and tidy.
I'm insured, bonded, & first aid certified. I'm clean, punctual, honest, always reachable, and provide daily picture updates.
As I have three somewhat dog-selective dogs of my own, I would pet sit in your home. I also like the idea of not creating additional stress in pets by disrupting their environment & routine.
My partner takes care of our pups while I'm away.
I am self-employed with a flexible schedule and tons of free time. I currently do limited in-person training and am mainly working on separation anxiety cases, which are done remotely.
My schedule can be completely customized to fit your needs :)
I ask that your pets wear their up-to-date ID tags. I like to use two points of safety when walking a dog - meaning, I use a carabiner or a coupler to attach their collar to their harness or another collar, which reduces the risk of slipping out of their equipment if your pup is a flight risk.
I am careful about opening doors/gates and do regular perimeter walks to ensure your yard is secure.
**Please note that I charge 2x the listed price if:
1) Your pet requires 24/7 care, with no option to occasionally step away for 2-4 hours during the day to run an errand or go to an appointment.
2) You are located more than 45 minutes from where I reside.**
** There is also a $10 charge for each additional pet, with possible discounts for multi-pet households. **
Feel free to reach out with any questions!