Frances

Dear pet owners, my name is Frances. 

I live in Box Hill South, Victoria. I am a mature, reliable, calm woman who offers a home away from home for your pets. We only take dogs from one family at a time, so your dogs receive one on one care and attention from myself and my family.

I grew up around dogs, including Golden Retrievers, Cairn Terriers, a mixed breed dog (black Labrador/Collie cross), and a ginger Tom cat.

As an adult I have rescued two dogs from Shenton Park Dogs Refuge in Perth, WA, including an elderly Poodle (Jake, 11 yrs) and a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle called Cooper, who we rescued at 4 months old and had for 16 years, until last year. Cooper had separation anxiety and arthritis, so I have experience with these issues.

We have recently hosted the following breeds for doggy boarding (which include an overnight stay in our home): Labradoodle, Spoodle, Cocker Spaniel, Cavoodle, Border Collie, King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Greyhounds, Maltese, German Short Haired Pointer, Whippet, Fox Terrier, Malshie, Labrador and mixed breeds.

I also have experience doing home visits to check on cats, and visiting and walking a Border Collie.

My favourite dog trainers are Jan Fennell (The Dog Listener) and Victoria Stilwell (The Secret Language of Dogs). Both use gentle, calm, and patient, reward based training techniques, which I have used with my dogs. Jan Fenell's approach particularly helped our Spoodle's separation anxiety.

We have a family home with a fully fenced and secure back yard. It has lawn, an area to dig, shade under a Lilypily tree and Possums to bark at. Our garden is a quiet spot to relax, or a great place to play ball or frisbee with the kids. We live very close to two large ovals and multiple walking trails. 

We don't have any other pets currently. We are happy to host your dog/s, who would be our sole focus. We only take dogs from one family at a time (with a maximum of 2).

I have 3 children over the age of 10, who have grown up with a dog, and would love to shower your pet with love and play fetch. Because we have children we aren't able to host dogs in our home that show any resource guarding behaviours, or can be unpredictable or snappy when stressed.

Both my partner and I are able to work from home, so someone is around most of the time. Whilst with us, your dog becomes part of our family and we treat all our doggie visitors with calmness, kindness and love. 

I have a Police Check and a valid Victorian Working with Children Check.

I am available for dog boarding (includes an overnight stay at my home, for a max of 24 hours per night booked) or doggie day care (daytime care at my home - max of 10 hours per day booked). Drop off and pick up times between 7am - 9.30pm only please. 

I am also available for dog walking (standard walk is 30 mins) in my local area only (Box Hill, Box Hill South, Mont Albert and Surrey Hills).

To look after the health of your dog, our family and future doggie guests, all dogs we host at our home need to be vaccinated and treated for fleas/ticks/worms prior to their stay.

Whilst caring for your pet I will send you regular photos and text updates letting you know how they are, and what they are doing.

I hope I can help look after your dog, cat or other pets, and I would be delighted to do a meet and greet, to make sure we are a good match. 

Look forward to hearing from you. 

Kind regards Frances