SUZI'S HOME FROM HOME
FOR DOGS
Can I come and see you/host family before my dog is due in?
What if my pet doesn’t settle in?
Some dogs do get more home sick than others however which is why we follow a strict procedure for new clients that I know, through experience, works .
1st meeting - meeting in a park for a walk with myself and my dog , you and your dog and their host and their dog ( unless your dog is booked into my house )
2nd - you take your dog to the carer's house and stay with them for a bit .
3rd - you take your dog to the carer's home and leave them for a short while .
4th - your dog has a sleepover at the carer's house (trial fees are payable), dropped off early enough in the evening so the carer can feed them and walk them as that is so important for bonding. Pick up at 10am the next morning (I offer a dog taxi service for a reasonable price if needed)
You are more than welcome to join us between and after these meetings on as many of our group walks as you like , get to know us and watch your dog integrate with the pack and start to feel secure.
I hate to tell you but with most dogs it's harder for us as owners when we leave them than it is for them...!
When do I pay my booking fee?
Once you and I (or the host family) have confirmed that it's a good match and we are all happy to go forward with a booking, a 10% deposit is due to lock in your booking.
I generally only have one dog (or more if they're from the same family) with my host families at a time whereas I take various dogs at my home . It's important to get your booking confirmed as soon as possible as other clients may be exploring the same host or may be wanting one of the places at my house, especially during busy periods.
The balance must then be paid on or before drop off, which can be paid in cash to me or via bank transfer.
Once you've confirmed your booking you will be invoiced via email then receive an electronic receipt upon any payment .
Please note your dogs place cannot be confirmed until I am in receipt of the booking form as well as deposit.
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Deposits are non refundable.
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Please note that if a booking breaks down due to no fault of my own, all fees are non refundable.
What do I need to bring for my dogs stay?
You must provide enough food for the duration of the stay , any medication along with instructions, food bowl (we always feed the dog from their own bowl), their bed or crate, any favourite toy (if they are homesick or struggling to settle in this toy won't be shared with other dogs but will be used for one to one bonding), a blanket or cardigan with your scent, towel and brush if they require it (long haired dogs/dogs who like to swim in the river), tennis balls if they use them at the park, harness and lead (non-extendable lead if possible).
The only other thing we need is a positive, happy attitude and a cheery goodbye! Dogs can feel your emotions and we don't want him/her feeling worried or scared when you leave. Your dog is on his holidays too!
Please note - your dog must be appropriately groomed on drop off, if your dog is overdue and in discomfort then they may be taken to my groomers while you're away and you will be invoiced. This only applies to dogs who require regular grooming - we don't have a problem with natural dog aroma!
What times can I drop off and pick up?
This can generally be arranged between myself you and the carer to suit everyone, if you have an early morning flight though I suggest you drop off the night before. Before you are invoiced I will need to know if pick up is after midday as £10 will be added on for afternoon care .
Daycare is 9am-5pm , any hours after that are charged at £2 an hour .
Please do speak to me directly as there is some flexibility with timings .
Can you keep my updated on how my dog's stay is going?
You will receive daily updates via WhatsApp unless you opt out.
If your dog is with one of my host families then I will make a WhatsApp group from the point of booking confirmation; here we share photos from group walks, photos from the host's house and any minor concerns. It's also handy to make arrangements.
If you do want to have a break and only hear from us in the very unlikely case of an emergency then that's fine too although only one client in my boarding history has said this but two days into her holiday was missing her dog so much she caved in!!!
Do my dogs need to be vaccinated/de-flead/groomed/wormed?
Your dogs need to be all of the above.
I work on a trust basis between myself and my clients so I don't ask for proof but for the health and well being of all dogs in my care as well as yours please make sure this is done.
Do you take un-neutered dogs?
We will of course on occasion take puppies who haven't been de-sexed and this will be discussed on initial meetings. Please keep track of when your bitch puppy has her first season, I have looked after bitches in season before but they must be placed with a host family who have no dogs of their own and no other bookings, she will also only be road walked on lead.
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If a Bitch comes into season whilst in my care, your emergency contact will contacted.
Do you take dogs with special needs, medical issues or behavioural issues?
I try to meet the needs of every client and in most cases this is possible . Dogs with epilepsy / diabetes / arthritis are mostly placed with me as I have the experience and I have completed canine first aid courses; my own pug, Cash, suffers from epilepsy and is on medication although still occasionally fits so I am aware of the care needed and how to administer medicaton.
A target for the future year is getting all of my hosts trained up in canine first aid although in the interim I provide 24 hour support to them .
Some dogs unfortunately haven't had the best start in life and we by no means exclude them from our services. They do however need to be placed more carefully and the process would be more detailed so I would not be able to take a dog with behavioural issues at short notice unless they are a regular user of our services. I have two host families who are my "go to" for these dogs as they have no young children and/or no dogs of their own, plus they have a less hectic household. Please do discuss in depth with me on initial meet ups and be as honest and impartial as you can. There will be no judgement and there is 9 times out of 10 a solution suitable to all parties.
Where will my dog sleep?
The Clue is in our name!! Dogs in our care become part of the family, they are allowed on sofas and beds (unless you specify the dog is not allowed upstairs)
Please do bring your dog's own bed and detail on the booking form where your dog sleeps at home, but night cuddles do come as part of my home from home service.
What happens if my dog becomes ill?
This has of course happened on occasion.
You will be contacted immediately regardless of the severity, if you are un-contactable then your emergency contact will be informed by me personally not the host. If I have to make an immediate decision before I'm able to speak with you then I will do this for the dogs safety and well being. This is why I have your dogs vets on the form, even if it's just a phone call to them then maybe a visit but you will be kept informed.
The most common ailment I've come across is a bad stomach which is easily rectified and dogs bounce back very quickly.
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Any vet bills are payable by the client.
What happens if I have to cancel?
Of course this is sometimes unavoidable but unfortunately the deposit is non-refundable. If you do need to cancel for whatever reason please do so as soon as possible so that your dog's place can be re-allocated.
What happens if I am late to pick up/drop off?
Again, this is sometimes unavoidable. Please communicate with me when possible.
A common problem is flights being delayed and of course there is nothing you can do about this however if you have only paid for an overnight stay on the final day and you arrive to pick up after 12pm you will be charged £10 for afternoon care.
I do offer a dog taxi service which can either be booked at the time of the initial booking or added on, just contact me direct and I will provide you with a quote and organise this (you might decide you want a drink on the plane!)
Are you and your hosts insured?
I am fully insured and I have an enhanced DBS check, my hosts are all added on my insurance policy.
If you wish to have a copy of this please do not hesitate to ask .
Will my dog be walked off lead?
This is something that is very much up to you. It's my hope that a bond is built up between carer and dog in the introduction and trial process that results in a dog who runs off lead with its family is also able to do so on holiday.
We group walk daily so everything is supervised by me but please do discuss any individual concerns directly with me.
All dogs who stay with me or one of my hosts will have one of my boarding collars on with my name and post code .
Dogs are never left unattended in a vehicle.
Dogs are never walked off lead on the street.
I do have a small amount of GPS trackers that I use for puppies or dogs with a hunting scent who can wander off.
Please do let us know, in writing on the booking form and in person at initial meetings, any recall tips that work particularly well with your dog.
In the unlikely event of there being an unforeseen problem with your dog the host will contact me immediately where I will use my judgement and experience and you will be contacted by me personally.
If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me.