Lake County Dog Walkers Offer a New Take on Dog-Sitting

I heard a dog barking playfully as I logged on to www.lakecountydogwalkers.com for the first time – a comforting sound.

It's definitely not what comes to mind when you think of a kennel or boarding for dogs. But, as the website says, think outside the box.

Dog people who are reluctant to use traditional boarding facilities might consider trying Lake County Dog Walkers & Pet-Sitting Services next time they leave town.

This Mentor-on-the-Lake business provides pet sitting, dog walking and pet care services for its own city, Mentor, Grand River, Concord, Painesville and surrounding Lake County cities and suburbs.

But rather than receiving dogs at an uncomfortable, pricey facility, Lake County Dog Walkers comes to their client's homes, allowing dogs to remain where they feel most comfortable.

Visits are a full 30 minutes, claiming to be twice as long as visits for the same fee elsewhere.

In particular, requested outdoor walking time packs the punch of the service. As world-reknowned dog behavior specialist Cesar Millan says, “Fish swim, birds fly, and dogs walk. Having a dog should not be about only fulfilling our human needs; we owe it to our dogs to give them what they need.” So why not bring them outside their fishbowl backyards?

Of course the dog-walking service is also available on its own accord — for instance, if a dog owner may be simply too busy to take what dogs consider a good long walk.

Mary Roulette, owner of Lake County Dog Walkers, has lived in Mentor-on-the-Lake with her family for more than 20 years, and feels passionately about the area's benefits to dog owners: , and .

Roulette said staff at Lake County Dog Walkers are all experienced, bonded, background-checked, insured through Kennel Pros Inc. and available around the clock, year round.

Carol of Mentor was initially hesitant to invite a stranger into her home. Her testimonial: “Well, I'm sure glad we met, because our animals have never been better. Our two cats, Kit Kat and Oreo, and our old dog Lizzy light up when you come to the door. Going out of town is no longer a worry.”

Sitting and walking rates ($14-16 a time, depending on frequency) and details are available on the website, as well as mileage reimbursement and grooming rates. Winter services are typically available 24/7 weekdays and weekends. Vacationers are encouraged to book services as far in advance as possible to ensure availability. The minimum time is two weeks. which allows for a preliminary meet-and-greet.

References to dog walkers or pet sitters are available upon request.

Free “doggie sleepovers” are also available under certain circumstances.

Contact Lake County Dog Walkers at 440-231-4765 or LCDW@roadrunner.com, or find the business as a registered member at www.care.com.