I'm Silke and a professinal, self-employed trainer and consultant. I'm mostly working from home. My childhood dog was a "Small Munsterlander" called Alf. Unfortunately, I didn't have any dogs afterwards because I left the house and went travelling since. However, I was by my Dad's side who trained and coached dogs. From that time, I have my dog coaching and training skills I soaked up like a sponge when I was a kid.

Because I'm in Europe for longer periods every year since I arrived in Wellington eleven years ago, it would be unresponsible to have my own dog, even though I would love to. Until now, I was always looking forward to seeing my massage lady's Charlie, who's always ecstatic to see me. She says I'm his favourite client. :) 

When overseas, I mostly stay in homeexchanges, including cat sitting included in the house-swap. I'm happy to provide references for this. Cat owners regularly say that the cat behaved absolutely as if they hadn't been away, which apparently hadn't happened with other sitters before. One host would only exchange with me because she has a cat with a very severe, unknown past, so the cat only normally trusts family members. She likes to have me around, to the host's own surprise.

Now my friend, who is a dog-sitter, recommended this site. I would like to give some more doggy love and help dog owners by dog-boarding or walking their dog. 

My childhood dog was educated as a hunting dog (not for hunting in fact, rather for preventing him to hunt, so he would really "listen" to even sign language from afar), so, as mentioned above, I have heaps of experience with dogs from those times. How they behave, e.g. with runners, etc., so I will be a responsible dog-sitter.

How would dog-caring or -walking look like? I'm happy to walk your dog, and also care for him in my own home when the situation allows. I'm renting two rooms on airbnb, and would only have a dog that is ok with other people, and ask my guests in advance if they are ok in terms of allergies etc. If the dog owner wishes, I would have the dog only when not hosting guests. The dog would be in the lounge area. There is outdoors space, unfortunately not fenced or secured. Alternatively, there is the balcony for a shady day. Due to working from home, I would walk the dog several times druing the day. Other than that, I'm very good at listening to the dog owner and do whatever special treatment is needed for the dog. Small dogs only please.