K Goodwin

Our dog, Pepsi, has really bad separation issues and so can't be left on her own. We have tried dog sitters before and they haven't worked out - with the last ones she came out panicking worse than if she'd been left home alone. I explained this to Claire and instead of the usual "oh she'll be fine" Claire came up with a strategy to ease Pepsi into staying half a day with her over a few weeks. Pepsi was still reluctant at first but it's now a couple of months on and instead of sitting in the car shaking and refusing to get out, she leaps out of the car and runs to Claire's door.

Claire also gave us some good advice about what to do (how to act) when leaving her and picking her up and it's worked wonders. The vicious cycle of Pepsi getting worried/scared making us feel anxious about leaving her and her picking up on this, and that making her worse has ended.

It's clear that she really likes Claire - she will walk away from most people if they bend down for a fuss, but Claire gets a kiss!

I am over the moon to have found somewhere I can take Pepsi when we can't take her where we are going (out cycling usually) . She always gets a good walk out with Claire's lovely dogs, Dillon and Tai, and comes home ready for a good sleep.