Leaders of the Pack at Ruperto’s Dog Hotel
Ever wondered what it would be like to be a professional dog sitter? One of our most popular members, Jos and his team give you the low-down on a day in the life at Ruperto’s Dog Hotel:
A Day In The Life
“We normally wake up when the first dog for day care arrives at around 07:00, and get the dogs ready for walks at 08:00. We start walking the dogs that are staying in the hotel and visit the homes of owners to collect dogs for day care duties. We do the first walk of the day for an hour or two depending on dog energy levels. When we get home we give the dogs fresh water, feed them and go back out to do the midday walks.
Older or low energy guests stay at the hotel to enjoy a nap and some cuddle time.
Frenchie out on a Walk in the Woods
After the midday walk we have a break at home, and while the dogs are resting we start the mammoth task of cleaning the house. It’s important that we keep the house and transport vans clean at all times (a seemingly impossible mission as we find dog hair in the most unexpected places!) This is also the perfect time for grooming. Our grooming tip is that it’s easier to remove mud from dog fur when the fur is dry. We also brush long-haired dogs such as long-haired pointers and long-haired dachshunds at least once a day.
Two Cheeky Little Fellas Enjoying Their Walk in London
Finally, it’s now time for the last walk of the day and drop-offs for any day care dogs. Sometimes, we will play in the large garden we have (a rarity in London!), but this depends on the weather as it’s not always sunny here! If it’s cold outside we walk puppies and older dogs for less time and use coats for any dogs that can’t handle the lower temperatures.
Other activities we like to do is to hide treats around the house. When a guest stays with us for a longer period we like to teach them tricks – our guests love these challenges and it’s also good to keep their mind stimulated.
Chilling by the Lake
We’re lucky to work with a certified dog trainer, so we’re experienced and confident enough to resolve any issues with dog’s not getting on. Our trainer also offers sessions for owners who need to work on more difficult issues with their dogs. Thankfully, we have a balanced pack!
In addition to dogs, we have also looked after 2 lovely guinea pigs in their home and feed additional animals such as fish when their owners are away.
“Oh, hey”
Dogs seem to sniff us out! A while ago, I was coming home after a night out with friends and spotted a dog in our front door. It was a beautiful Siberian Husky and the taxi driver told me I was crazy when I approached the dog because he thought it was a wolf. She stayed with us that night and we returned her home safely the next day. The owners only realised their dog had escaped when I contacted them the next morning! We like to think the dog heard about us in the park and wanted to stay one night for free in our hotel!
The hardest thing about being a dog sitter is being outside for long periods when it’s cold and raining. It’s also hard to say goodbye to dogs that stay with us for long periods because we get really attached to them.
Jos – The Dog Whisperer
We love our jobs because everyday is different. It’s also really rewarding to see the dogs happy; how they change and grow all the time. It’s always funny when the owners come to pick up the dogs and the dogs refuse to leave (not so funny for the owners). We also love getting to know every dog because they are so different, it’s like meeting new friends all the time. They also offer unconditional love and don’t ask for anything in return. Sometimes we feel they are easier to deal with than most people!”
– Jos, owner at Ruperto’s Dog Hotel
If you’d like to use Ruperto’s Dog Hotel visit their profile on DogBuddy here.