Here are some questions we’re frequently asked. (Have another one? Give us a call at 469-481-8900).
General
Pet Sitting & Dog Walking:
We primarily service the McKinney, TX area for pet sitting. We are also able to serve almost all of Prosper, Frisco and Allen.
Grooming, Scooper & Training:
Our service area for grooming & training are a little more wide-spread. Check out our list & map below:
- McKinney
- Frisco
- Prosper
- Celina
- Melissa
- Princeton
- Allen
- Van Alstyne
- Plano
- Little Elm
- The Colony
We have a scheduler on duty for most of the day between 8am – 8pm seven days a week! So, there are a few ways you can reach us:
- Text. You can text us any time at 469-481-8900.
- Portal. You can send us a message through the conversation feed in the TimeToPet portal.
- Call. You can give us a call at 469-481-8900. We take phone calls between 8:30am – 5:30pm seven days a week.
Yes! We are bonded and insured through Governor’s insurance and our underwriting is through Traveler’s.
We prefer to have your pets up-to-date veterinary records on file in case of an emergency. You can text them or email them to us!
If you don’t have a copy of them, just provide us with your vet information and we can request the records for you.
Records not up to date? No problem. We’ll pet taxi your cat or dog to the vet, accompany him or her through the vaccination process, and deliver the updated record to you.
We accept Zelle, Venmo, cash, and checks.
We also accept card payments, but there is a 3% transaction fee applied to these payments.
Pet Grooming
You are encouraged to walk out to the grooming van with your dog and your groomer. You will see that it is a very small space! When you combine the close quarters with sharp instruments and sometimes very wiggly dogs, there is the potential for an accident to happen. In fact, our insurance prohibits non-employees in the van while services are being delivered.
Constantly! The groomers wipe down the van between each pet. At the end of the day, the van is cleaned thoroughly as part of the re-set process for the next day. The vans are also deep cleaned, sanitized, and detailed once a week.
We will always try! Our groomers are skilled at developing a true, trusting relationship with the dogs they groom. Over time dogs are known to relax and go with the flow as they come to know what to expect and trust that they won’t be harmed during the process.
In these situations, we send a second groomer initially to help the lead groomer manage the pet (this is an extra $30 charge). Over time, we often find that the dog behaves better and the second groomer is no longer required.
In some cases, the dog will need a more foundational level of training and self-control before we are able to groom him. In this instance, we encourage you to work with our trainer to get your pet more comfortable with the process. Depending on what your pet needs help with, we can even bring the grooming van out for your training sessions to help!
We set your appointment date at the earliest possible date for which your groomer is available and confirm you have no obvious conflicts for that date (i.e. vacation, work trip, etc.). If the date works for you, but you would be unavailable during a specific time (i.e. doctors appointment, church, etc.), please let us know. We can typically work around this time restriction.
The arrival window for your appointment will be released 72 hours before your appointment date. This allows us to plan the groomer’s route in the most efficient way possible. The arrival window is a 2 hour block that your groomer could arrive within. The groomer will text you their ETA when they are headed your way on the day of your appointment.
Sometimes you could be asked to change your arrival window or the day of your appointment for unforeseen issues like a re-route due to a customer’s last-minute cancellation, a mechanical issue, or a groomer illness. We try to avoid these issues at all costs, but sometimes they are unavoidable.
Brush, brush, brush! The key to keeping your pet’s coat nice and healthy is, you guessed it, brushing. Daily is best, but every other day is a great option as well!
If you are unable to brush your pet out on a regular schedule, we can help! We can send a trained employee to brush your pet out in your backyard for you, on a schedule that fits your pets needs in between their regular grooming. Another option is to up the frequency of their groom. We can alternate between a bath/brush and a full groom every 4 weeks.
We prefer as much of a heads up as possible when you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.
If you cancel or reschedule your appointment within 24 hours you will be subject to a 50% non-refundable deposit to schedule your next appointment.
A light groom is a perfect option for both long haired and short haired dogs! This package consists of:
- Bath
- Brush Out
- Dry
- Nail Trim & Grind
- Ear Cleaning
- Teeth Brushing
- Anal Gland Expression
- Light Trimming Around the Paw Pads
- Sanitary Trim
- Bandana
- Cologne
A full groom is a great option for long haired pups that require a full-body haircut. This package includes:
- Everything in a Light Groom
- Full Body Haircut
- Or Shave Down
Yes! We offer a No Frills Bath for short haired dogs. This would just be a simple bath, dry, and nail trim.
The price would be about 25% less than our Light Groom package.
We also offer a DIY Bath for short haired dogs. This package makes you the groomer, but you get all the other benefits of the mobile grooming experience.
The price would be about 30% less than our Light Groom package.
We have a few options for pets with sensitive skin.
We can use our Bark2Basics Sensitive Skin Shampoo formula or if you have a shampoo that you prefer for us to use, we can use that.
The first time, yes. Because we are licensed and insured, after that, no.
Once the groomer and the dog have established a relationship, we can groom your pup whether you are home or not. Some customers leave us a key and others provide an access code in their account profile.
We do service apartments! We just ask that the owner brings the pet down to the parking lot for the groomer.
We can give your dog a flea bath, but this will not solve the underlying problem. You will need to get your pet on a topical or oral medication and do lots of treatment on your carpets and furniture to get rid of all fleas.
Yes we do! For cats we offer a bath & nail trim or a bath & lion cut (plus a sanitary trim).
We can completely shave them down if needed, but we do not offer a haircut (using different guards & scissors over the whole body) like we do on a dog.
This is a very common issue for both small dogs and large. We will send a second person to be the groomer’s helper in this situation so that the groomer is able to do an excellent job safely with the most comfortable support for your pup.
We send an assistant along whenever the dog is more than 65 pounds. Sometimes a very large dog has such excellent table manners that a helper is not required. The groomer determines this after the initial visit and we place a note on your file.
Yes! Once you have approved and bonded with your groomer we will always send the same one. If there is ever a situation where your primary groomer can’t be available at a scheduled time, we will give you the option of re-scheduling or trying another groomer.
The only way we can be sure of the groomer’s arrival time is to schedule you for the first appointment of the day. Even then, groomers are people and they sometimes get sick so your appointment date and time could be impacted by that. Another situation where your scheduled date & time could move is if the van were to experience a mechanical issue and we have no other van to put in place that day. We understand your time is important! We track and monitor schedule adherence and are pleased to say that we have a 95% adherence rate, one of the best in the industry. As hard as we try, though, a 100% adherence rate is not possible.
The groomer’s route is set 72 hours ahead of the appointment time and confirmations sharing the groomer’s expcted arrival window are issued ahead of time. In arranging the route, we accommodate customers’ specific timing requests to the best of our ability. If the arrival window doesn’t work for you, you will just let us know and we’ll find new date where you have better flexibility.
A rescheduling request might happen if a groomer calls in sick or if a van experiences a mechanical issue AND we have no backup van available. We do strive to keep one van available as backup at all times.
We have a scheduling team that works with you to find the right day for your appointment. On grooming day, the groomer will bring the van (which is a fully self-sufficient professional grooming salon) to your house and park outside. The groomer will say hello at the door and talk to you specifically about any special concerns, special grooming requests, or pet peeves to be aware of. Once the grooming begins, it usually takes about 90 minutes. When the dog is returned and you’re happy with the results, you pay at the door – usually by cash, Zelle, or Venmo.
We specialize in anxious and elderly pets! Mobile grooming is uniquely suited to these issues because the environment is close to home, quiet, serene, and fast compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar salon. Since you have the same groomer each time, the dog and groomer grow to love each other. Your pup will learn to feel safe and respond to the groomer’s requests through patience, love and repetition.
We can always brush out a few mats. The groomer is able to assess the dog at the door and tell you what will be possible. With very minor matting, this is a normal part of the groom. For more-than-minor matting, a de-matting fee can be applied and the mats can still be removed. The groomer will let you know what the situation is. When matting is severe, the dog will have to be shaved down to get a “do-over” on its hair. We have a policy with long-haired dogs who are prone to matting wherein we require a 4-4 or six week grooming pattern. In a 4-4 pattern, the dog receives a bath and brush out on one visit, then four weeks later it receives a bath and haircut. In the six week pattern, the dog receives a bath and haircut every six weeks.
If it is at all possible, yes! Our sitters have varying availability and schedules. We strive to keep the number of sitters visiting your home to the smallest possible number: one. Most times, however, there will be at least two sitters involved.
To keep them prepared and coordinated, they are trained and re-trained throughout the year. The training covers everything from entering the premises (preventing door darter escapes) to locking the premises on exit.
Before each engagement sitters are briefed on the client and particulars of each dog. This information is covered in writing and also delivered verbally by a sitter who is experienced with that client (usually the person who did the meet & greet). There is a written handoff between each sitter and you from visit to visit so that nothing gets omitted or overlooked.
A meet and greet is performed for multiple reasons, the main ones being:
- You meet one of your sitters face-to-face
- The sitter collects information on your pets daily routine and care so we can provide the best service possible
- You can show them the ropes (alarm codes, where items are located, etc.)
We have the Certified Professional Pet Sitter designation and are members of Pet Sitters International!
Our sitters are also trained in first aid and CPR through Pet Pro Hero.
Customers have different preferences for how they like their keys to be handled, and we can accommodate any request. There are 4 main ways:
- Key Registry. We have a secure key registry in which we keep our customer’s keys. On the day an assignment begins, the sitter picks up the key and installs it on the front door in one of our lockboxes. At the end of the trip, the sitter removes the lockbox and returns the key to the registry.
- Hidden Keys. We also have some clients that will place their key in a hidden location. On the first visit the sitter will collect the key, place it in the lockbox, and install the lockbox at the home. On the last visit the sitter will remove the lockbox and re-hide the key.
- Year-Round Lockbox. For client that use us frequently, they prefer to keep the lockbox. They will place the key and lockbox on the door for us before they leave, and remove it when they come home.
- Client Provided Lockbox. If you have your own lockbox you can place your key inside and the lockbox on the door before you leave. We would just need the combination code.
We provide peace-of-mind messaging, including photos or short videos in which you can “see it for yourself!” The walk really happened, food and water is checked, hello from your happy pet, and a “bye for now” message with confirmation that the door is locked.
These updates accumulate in the conversation feed in your TimeToPet portal. The system also shoots a copy, including photos, to your email address each time an update is made.
Sometimes during your trip unforeseen events can arise. For example, your pet can become sick, stop eating, refuse to take medication, have diarrhea, or any number of other things that the sitter will have to wrangle with. Any of these could cause the sitter to go over the budgeted time of 30 minutes per visit. When this occurs, the sitter will stay to clean up the mess or hand-feed your dog. If this takes a significant amount of extra time, we will reach out to you to discuss the situation and get further direction to manage any extra charges. Normally extra time is added to the invoice at $1 per minute.
Other times your pet might run out of food, medication, or may need something special (different food if they won’t eat, digestive supplement if they are having diarrhea, more potty pads, etc.) and your sitter might have to go to a store to pick up these items for you. In this case, we’ll get your approval and the cost of such items will be added to your invoice, along with the fee for the additional time.
Absolutely! Just shoot us a text or send us a message through the client portal letting us know that you were delayed and we will continue to care for your pets until you return home.
We take our business very, very seriously. Every employee is background checked, trained, and re-trained three times each year. The training covers A to Z everything from entering the premises (preventing door darter escapes) to locking the premises on exit.
Before each engagement, sitters are briefed on the client and particulars of each dog. This information is covered in writing and also delivered verbally by a sitter who is experienced with your pets.
We are 100% confident that each sitter will be prepared for the visit and will execute it perfectly.
During a visit, our sitter will let your pets out to potty, take them out on a walk if wanted, give their meals along with any medications needed. There is also playtime and lots of love given during the visit!
Our sitter will also bring in your mail/any packages delivered, water any plants if needed, take out the trash on trash day, etc. We can take care of anything to keep your home and pets on their daily routines.
We offer several options for visits!
- 30-minute Visit
- 45-minute Visit
- Almost Overnight #1
- 2 hour evening visit
- 1 hour morning visit
- Almost Overnight #2
- 2 hour evening visit
- 45-minute morning visit
- Overnight Visit (10-12 hours of overnight care)
Our overnight visits are limited due to staff availability so the more of a heads up you can give us on your dates, the better.
Yes! We specialize in care for exotic and backyard animals, including:
- Chickens
-
Goats
-
Rabbits
-
Birds (parrots, cockatiels, finches & more)
-
Reptiles
-
Ferrets
-
Tortoises
-
Hampters
-
And other non-traditional pets!
Ideally we want to do once a day, but we can do every 36 hours if needed.
Yes! In the event that something more complicated like insulin is required, our sitters are experienced with this. You will have an opportunity to train the sitter at the meet & greet as to how medications are administered.
Yes! Visits are up to 30 minutes and usually this is plenty of time to feed, water, and exercise pets plus take care of plants, trash, and mail. If there are an extensive number of plants to be watered] the watering can be spread across multiple visits.
In the event more time is needed, the sitter will reach out to determine how to proceed. For example, if something minor is left undone, we might arrange for the next sitter to complete the task. If something major needs doing, we will check with you. For example, if your pet has a diarrhea accident on the carpet, the sitter will make his or her best effort to get it up but we might check with you to see if we can send a second sitter by with a wet vac to more fully remove any stain.
The sitter will send you an update with photos at every visit. The update appears in your account with us and there is a cc: to your email address. For the most part a sitter will call you only if there is an urgent question. You can always send a message or special to the office and we will make sure it gets to the prior, current, or next sitter at your home.
Pet Boarding
We don’t have a traditional boarding facility. Our boarding is actually done out of our owners home. This way your pet still feels at home while you are away.
Typically we only board one dog-family at a time so the only dogs your pet would be around would be their housemates and our owners personal pups. Her three small dogs are very used to having visitors over and love making new friends!
We can only board dogs that are over 6 months of age and over 25 pounds.
They also must be potty trained.
Drop off and picks up’s can be scheduled anytime between 7:30am – 6:30pm.
Unfortunately no. We are only able to board dogs at this time.
Dogs are welcome to sleep where they are comfortable! If they are used to sleeping in a crate, we have some available or you can bring along theirs. If they are used to sleeping in a human bed, dog bed, or the couch – all of those options are available as well.
We don’t require a meet & greet for boarding, but if you would like to visit before hand we can certainly set that up.
Please bring along their food and any medications they may need.
We have plenty of dog beds, blankets, & toys but you are welcome to bring those as well!
Yes! Your dog will never be left along for long periods. We treat our guests like family and ensure plenty of human interaction throughout the day.
Dog Walking
We have three options for dog walks to fit your pets needs:
- 15 minutes (1 dog only)
- 30-minutes
- 45-minutes
This depends on your pets. If they are used to walking together and all do well on their walks, then yes.
If one (or more) of your dogs are reactive or like to pull during walks, then we would recommend walking them separately.
If it is at all possible, yes! Our walkers have varying availability and schedules. We strive to keep the number of walkers visiting your home to the smallest possible number: one. Most times, however, there will be at least two walkers involved.
The short answer is no! Once we have completed the meet and greet our walkers can walk your pup anytime you need.
We can come out anytime you need us! We operate 7 days a week from 7am – 7pm.
We walk in most weather conditions. If it is lightly raining we can still get a walk in, however a heavy downpour may affect the walk. In these cases we make sure the dogs go out to potty & then we focus on expelling their energy through inside play time.
Yes! Our sitters will send over a walking report after each visit. This report includes photos, a short update about how the walk went, and a GPS map of where they went during their walk.
This will come through as a portal update and an email.
Yes! As a general rule our walkers avoid walking near other dogs while out. If they see another dog out, they will redirect the walk.
Yes we do require a meet and greet before we walk your pup for the first time. This can be done via Zoom or in-person.
This gives our team a chance to meet you & your pup, along with learning about their daily routine and walks.
Pooper Scooper
We can come out weekly, twice a week, or bi-weekly for your scooper service.
If you have a preferred day of the week we can accommodate that!
We do recommend keeping the dogs inside while our technician is working on the backyard. This is mainly because we spray a deodorizer and sanitizing spray around the back porch that we like to keep them away from until it dries.
However, if having the dogs outside is absolutely needed that day we can skip the spray during that service.
Yes! After the yard has been scooped we will spray a deodorizer and sanitizing spray around the back porch.
No, you don’t need to be home. Our technician just needs access to the backyard.
No contracts! You can start or stop services at any time.
Our initial clean up fee is priced per 13-gallon bag of waste removed from the yard. It is $20 per bag.
We will try to work around the weather when we can. So if it is raining in the morning you should see us later that afternoon.
We can still service during light rain, but unfortunately a heavy downpour or thunderstorm may result in rescheduling your service to a different day.
Securing the gate is the very most important thing! You will receive a message and picture by update to your account with a cc: to your email address which is geo-stamped and time-stamped of the closed and secured gate when the technician completes the work.
Yes! We will do our best to accommodate specific requests to match your trash day and family activities.
All of the waste is removed from the property at each visit.
Yes! Your technician will send an ETA when he or she is headed your way and an update with a photo of the secure gate when they leave.
Great question and the answer is … right away! Listening and self-control are essential skills and the sooner you align with a trainer on a program for your pup, the sooner you are on the right path to the best possible relationship.
The first step is to get a program together that addresses his or her grooming anxiety. Building a relationship with the groomer will be a big help. Further training that includes daily brushing for long-haired dogs and behavior modification will make all the difference.
This behavior is not unusual. The dog perceives a threat to themself and their owner and reacts quickly and strongly to get control of the situation. Our trainers will work with you both to help the dog understand that you are in control of this (and all other) situations and he / she should look to you for direction. The program will include a number of exercises and milestones that will help you get past this type of reactivity.
We start out every new training client with a Training Assessment. This is where our trainer Hooper will come out to your home to meet with you and your pup. He will assess any issues/problems you are having and create a plan of action.
After the assessment you would be scheduled with Hooper for 1 hour sessions based on his recommendations.
Typically our trainer works with the dog owner for one hour sessions. We develop a program that is like a roadmap to help you reach your training objectives and then get together for one-hour sessions as we work our way through the roadmap.
Our training method is based on Learning Theory and using positive and rewarding techniques to shape the behavior of your dog.
We will work with dogs of ALL ages. Contrary to common belief, you actually can teach a dog new tricks.
Yes, we can work with dogs of any temperament.
Recall, or calling your dog to you, is probably the single most important command we can teach our dogs. In addition Sit, Stay, Down, Shake and Spin are great commands to have.
No trainer can tell you that. It depends on how much time you have to give to the training, what your level of ability is and what your dog’s individual capabilities are.
As soon as possible! There are things you can do from day ONE to positively desensitize your puppy to things like grooming, nail clipping, ear cleaning and wearing a collar.
Typically in the first lessons, nothing but you and your dog and some “High Value Treats” that you can get at any store.
Jumping, biting, leash pulling, over excitement, destructive chewing are some examples of behaviors we can help you change.