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What you can expect

A professional, polite and warm greeting when you speak to or meet us, and an absolute commitment to you and your pet, as extended members of our family.

A trial prior to familiarise your dog with its carer, surroundings and ensure that an evaluation can be made that there is appropriate chemistry and suitability.

Reassurance that your service provider has a duty of care to your pet throughout its service experience and undertakes to abide by the five animal needs as set out in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Honesty and transparency.

A pet information/booking form that is an initial pain in the butt (sorry!) because we need a lot of important information from you to ensure we are properly equipped to look after your pet on an ongoing basis and to ensure we also comply with our licensing obligations.

A commitment and ongoing communication from us, your pet carer to keep you informed immediately if issues arise or problems are found during your pet’s service experience with us.

Appreciation for your business – we never forget you have a choice.

Open and honest answers to your questions.

An initial ‘meeting and greeting’ when we meet you and your pet to understand you and pet’s needs and to ensure we are also suitably equipped to fulfil our obligations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Assurance that we are fully insured, providing protection for your pet whilst in their care. A copy of our insurance is available on request. Medical treatment immediately if issues arise or problems are found during your pet’s service experience with us.

Assurance that your pet carer is pet first aid trained and has access to a vet in the event of an accident or emergency.

A discussion with your carer on your dog’s planned activities and its general health and behaviour prior to the required services, if required.

Your dog’s collar will also be tagged with our name and contact details whilst your pet is in our care.

Assurance that when we transport your pet, your dog will not be left unattended in a vehicle (unless collecting or dropping off other dogs) and it will be transported using suitable crating or harness and in a vehicle with adequate ventilation and temperature control.

Frequently asked questions

What if my dog and your dog don’t get along?

Before we accept any first-time bookings we will always have a meet-and-greet session to introduce both ourselves and our dogs in a mutual area. This can be anywhere between my home and yours as long as it's far away enough to get the dogs out of defence mode as dogs can be very territorial near their own home. The initial social meet will allow our dogs to be relaxed and sociable in a natural state, ideally, in a place they can be off lead. I am confident in most cases, we can overcome any initial hesitation our dogs may have by further encouragement and time.
How do you ensure my dog’s safety in regard to dog-nappers?

First and foremost I will never leave your dog unattended. (Unless it’s an emergency where they will only be locked safely in a house or vehicle for no longer than absolutely necessary) Our home is in a very safe neighbourhood and I will only walk dogs in areas where either I feel I have good control over the dogs, or it's difficult for them to reach us, i.e off the beaten track. In addition, while on walks, each and every dog will be fitted with a dog tracker from Pawfit which is connected to a live GPS giving those with access codes a real-time location of their dog. And finally, if a dog napper comes anywhere near your dog, I will protect them like my own, claws and teeth at the ready. Grrrr!
What if my dog is timid?

No problem at all! My collie Gwyn and I welcome almost all personalities and characteristics. Gwyn is gentle and patient making him a perfect companion for easing the concerns of a timid friend. There’s no need to rush into anything. We can introduce and integrate at a comfortable pace with your shy fur ball.
Are you trained in dog first aid?

Yes. I completed my Canine First Aid course through DogSafe, a course run by Excalibur South West and I recommend anyone with dogs in their lives to take the course themselves! Inevitably dogs get hurt or ill at unpredictable times which is a fact of life which may well occur while under my care. So I made sure I am ready for most foreseeable scenarios with a first aid course and kit at the ready.
How much experience do you have with dogs?

For almost as long as I’ve been roaming this planet we’ve had a K9 friend in our family, so taking care of dogs comes naturally. In my personal life, I have had the pleasure of caring for many of my family and friends' dogs as and when the need arises, from The Jack Chi to the notorious Rhodesian Ridgebacks, or from cuddly Collies to strong-willed Dobermans, and even a mischievous Portuguese Water Dog! I have also been fortunate to work alongside various farm dogs such as the Anatolian Shepard while Farm sitting in South Africa.
Do you have any formal training or certifications in dog care?

In addition to dog first aid, I am currently working towards the Canine and animal Welfare Ofqual level 3. However please be assured that with my combination of dog-related experience, 7 yrs in the Royal Marines and my current occupation as a Health & Safety officer, your beloved pets will be kept safe and secure.
How do you handle emergencies? What would you do if my dog becomes sick or injured?

We have a number of in-depth policies and risk assessments (available upon request) to cover all these areas.
Are you comfortable administering medication, if needed?

Absolutely. We can go over any medical requirements during the initial and final booking phases. Should your dog require specialist medication however this may need to be arranged through our local vet just a ball throw away.
What kind of activities would you engage my dog in while I am away?

Play, play and more play. I will engage with your dog in many forms of enrichment, both physical and mental such as hide and seek, basic training, adventure walks, sniff-n-search games, socialising and grooming. All of these increase a dog’s overall well-being but the best part is, what we think of as work, they think of as PLAYTIME! Our enrichment policy is available upon request.
How often will my dog be taken for walks, and for how long?

I will guarantee every dog gets a minimum of 2 trips out a day which will accumulate to a minimum of 2 hours, 2 minutes and 22 seconds...ish. Often more. Of course, we can discuss your dog's personal abilities and tailor the exercise regime to suit them.
What kind of food will my dog be fed, and how often?

You tell me! As part of the enrolment process, we will discuss exactly what your dog requires and is used to. In addition, we request you send with your dog any food and other dietary requirements along with, as disrupting a dog's meal plan can cause numerous issues, such as stomach ache and distress. We want your dog to be as comfortable as possible during their stay and their food is a key part of home life they should bring along, as well their own bowls and bedding etc.
How do you handle dogs that are aggressive or have behavioural issues?

I will do everything I can to accommodate your dog and we can arrange additional meet-and-greet sessions if required (at additional cost). Very often what is thought of as aggressive behaviour are often signs of a dog that is anxious, scared or stressed. These emotions can usually be overcome with some perseverance and patience. However, I am not a qualified dog trainer so if I can’t reassure your dog I’m a cool guy, then you may have to seek professional support before trying again. If your dog has other non-aggressive behavioural issues, let's chat, I love a challenge and hope to be able to make a difference in your pet’s life through the basic knowledge that I do have on positive re-enforcement techniques.
What is your availability, and how much notice do you need to confirm a booking?

For the moment I am mostly only offering services over weekends 12pm Friday through to 5pm Sunday. As and when I take leave from the day job I can open up weekday slots which I will try to advertise well in advance. Keep in mind though, if this is your dog's first stay/walk with me, we will need to arrange an introduction and trial stay. Please allow at least 3 full weeks ahead of your intended booking.
How will you communicate with me while I'm away to provide updates on how my dog is doing?

We can use text, phone calls, emails, WhatsApp or Telegram if preferred. If you have an alternative method in mind just let me know. I will give you an update at the start and end of each day but additional can be requested. Don’t forget, you can also follow your dog's adventures through Pawfit, our live tracking service. You will receive a notification before their main walk/s to log in. (Keep in mind Trackers will only be activated during walks)
Do you have any specific policies or requirements for dogs under your care (e.g., vaccinations, lead requirements, etc.)?

Yes, there are quite a few things to consider and getting the initial forms can feel slow going. But rest assured this is so that we know as much as possible so we can ensure your dog has absolutely everything they need when they need it. Our policies, questionnaires and checklists are available upon request.
What is your policy on cancellation or rescheduling, and is there a fee for either?

For most scenarios or situations you will receive a full refund for cancellation with more than 4 days' notice. In some cases, we may hold back any deposits made. Our terms and conditions are available upon request.

Looking for the perfect doggy treat, gift or accessory for your furry companion?

Sniff out - The Lyn Valley Dog House - Gwyn can't bark about this place enough! Jacquie has a fantastic range of treats & Nibbles as well as many hand-crafted accessories hand made in Devon and much more!