Tonya Holowitski H.

Tonya Holowitski H.'s Experience

A couple of years ago, I left the workplace to start my own practice in my field. However, my priorities shifted, and that led me to venture into dog walking and dog boarding. I have cared for almost a dozen dogs with 100% satisfaction from owners. I have found great satisfaction in helping owners when they need assistance with their dogs. I enjoy people as much as I do dogs. Our dogs are in many ways an extension of ourselves as much as they are our greatest loves. So it is important for me to get to know you over time so I can look after your dog in a manner you will feel confident in. When a dog is in my care, you can expect plenty of attention, activity, and care. Toys in my house are there to be played with and destroyed. They are plentiful. I have a dog toy box on the main floor and another upstairs. Treats are included; however, you will need to provide their food. Dogs get the bulk of my attention. Sometimes I need to feed myself, but I have played fetch in the house with a dog for over two hours straight because that is what he wanted to do. Other dogs may like doing that outside. I do use a 100 ft leash in the park to allow for the fetch experience without the risk of running away. I walk dogs using a heavy-duty waist belt, which allows for safer walks for both the dog and myself. I use leash attachments with handles, which let me respond quickly to dog reactivity and emergencies. In the evenings I use glow collars for safety. I prefer owners to make sure to have their dogs have tags. If your dog does not have a tag I will use a lost dog tag with my phone number on it. On average I am rescuing 2 - 4 lost dogs a year in my neighborhood. None had tags on them, resulting in me using Facebook and walking around looking for owners. Dog safety is important. You can expect regular updates and photos. I do have a dog emergency kit on hand. I have a lot of experience administering medication if required.

Tonya Holowitski's Availability

Information Tonya Holowitski H. would like to know

I need to know your dog's routine and commands so I can provide consistency. Do you have any feedback on successes and challenges with past dog sitters? What can I expect when walking your dog? How does your dog engage with other dogs and people? If a child asks, can they pet your dog? What is their prey drive when they see rabbits and cats? Do they have any quirks like trying to chase buses and trailers?

A typical day

I am home full-time and care only for dogs. This means I am very flexible in my availability. The only reason I leave the house when caring for a dog is for a medical appointment or a quick errand. I try to schedule those around my dog-sitting and dog-walking schedule. I am very committed to the dogs in my care. I love taking dogs for walks and giving them lots of attention. My home is very dog-friendly, with plenty of toys and activities to keep everyone occupied. I have a fenced-in backyard with the occasional hole, and large beef bones (6-12 inches) scattered throughout. I have a low, unfenced deck, and 4 waist-high garden boxes, which dogs tend to treat as an obstacle course. They are very welcome to do so. I am a gardener. Gardens surround my house. When I garden, the dogs are always with me. At the front, I keep long leads so they can safely keep me company, and our next-door neighbour kindly lets the dogs hang out in their grass. The dogs tend to find it greener on their side. A large park sits behind my home. A portion of it is an off-leash park. I have 100 ft leashes so the dogs I look after can enjoy playing in the park as though they were off leash, without risking them running away. Our backyard is fenced in, and we've strategically placed large rocks so no one can dig a hole to escape.