No kennels. No strangers’ houses. Your dog sleeps in their own bed.
Most dogs feel more comfortable staying in their own home when their humans travel. Familiar surroundings, routines, and smells help reduce stress and anxiety.
Here’s what you get when I stay while you’re away:
- I stay in your home throughout your trip. I don’t walk other clients’ dogs or combine multiple house-sitting jobs. I only leave for short periods when necessary.
- Your privacy and security matter. I don’t smoke or drink, and I’ll never allow anyone else into your home while you’re away.
- You’ll receive daily updates and beautiful photos of your pets. I was an advertising photographer for 40 years, so your dog may end up with better portraits than you have.
- Your pets get my undivided attention. They enjoy walks, plenty of playtime every day, and the same routines they’re used to when you’re home.
- Your home stays cared for and secure. Mail and deliveries are brought in, trash is taken out, and your home maintains a lived-in appearance.
- I care for our home as if it were my own. Everything is left neat and tidy inside and out, so you can simply walk in, unpack, and relax.
- I arrive and leave promptly at the agreed-upon times.
- Your satisfaction and peace of mind are my highest priorities.
Call or text Doug at 925.324.4880
Doug and Cooper are the perfect home-sitting team!
Doug and Cooper make a great home-sitting team! Doug makes sure your pets are well fed, groomed, and get plenty of playtime. Cooper will become your dog’s new best friend. He loves to play and socialize, and he even likes cats! When you return, your pets will be happy and your house will be in great shape.
Meet Doug
I’m a retired advertising photographer, longtime traveler, and devoted dog owner. After 40 years of running my own business and earning my clients’ trust, I now provide private in-home pet and house sitting throughout Santa Barbara and Montecito.
I understand that inviting someone into your home is an act of trust. I treat every home with the same care and respect I would expect for my own, and every pet as if they were part of my family. My goal is simple: for you to enjoy your time away knowing your home and pets are in caring, dependable hands.
If you’d like to see some of my photography, you can visit DougCrouchPhotography.com.
About Cooper
Cooper is my friendly, well-trained Miniature Australian Shepherd and my constant companion. He loves frisbee, enjoys meeting new friends, and gets along well with other dogs, cats, and even rabbits. For dogs that enjoy canine companionship, Cooper often becomes an instant playmate and helps make your time away even more enjoyable for them.
Because Cooper is part of my family, he accompanies me on every house-sitting assignment. Before every first booking, we’ll schedule a meet-and-greet to make sure everyone is comfortable and it’s a good fit for both your pets and Cooper.
Complete 24/7 Peace of Mind
Call or text 925.324.4880
Sit Doug, sit!
Check our calendar for availability.
On mobile devices, dates with an • are booked.
Dog Sitting Rates & Terms
Rate: $150 per day
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to secure your reservation dates.
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel, your deposit will be refunded if I am able to fill your dates with another booking.
Payment: Venmo, Zelle, cash or personal checks.
Call or text 925.324.4880 to reserve your dates
5 Wags Reviews
Doug and Cooper are a kind and trustworthy pair to have stay in your home and with your pets. They’ve stayed here twice for over a week and I’d like to have them again. Our 10 month old puppy loves playing with Cooper in our yard, and they’ve become best pals. We’ve come home to a dog who is well cared for, happy, and had plenty of playtime and tummy rubs. Doug has been very happy to pick up dog food, etc. if needed. Can’t wait to do it again. Thanks, Doug and Cooper!
Meredith Osborn
Doug did a great job taking care of Bob, my 11year old Goldendoodle. He fed him his special meals, brushed his teeth every day, took him out at least 3 times a day, and generally took as good care of him with as much affection as me! Doug texted me pictures of Bob every day too. Bob got along fine with Cooper. Highly recommended!
Seldy Cramer Speers
Look no further for the ultimate pet-sitter extraordinaire – Doug is simply the best! We entrusted Doug with our furry family members – a rambunctious dog and two finicky cats – for a lengthy three-week stint, and he exceeded all expectations. From the moment we met him, Doug exuded warmth, responsibility, and genuine affection for animals.
Throughout his stay, Doug not only cared for our pets with unwavering dedication but also ensured our home was left in impeccable condition. Walking through our door after his tenure, we were greeted not only by happy pets but also by a spotless house that sparkled with cleanliness.
But Doug’s attentiveness didn’t stop there. To our delight, we found our backyard transformed – our plants neatly trimmed and flourishing under his care. It’s evident that Doug doesn’t just fulfill his duties; he goes above and beyond, treating every task with the same meticulous care and enthusiasm.
If you’re seeking a trustworthy, compassionate, and thorough pet-sitter, Doug is the one for you. With him, you can rest assured that your beloved pets and home will be in the most capable hands. Our family is immensely grateful for Doug’s exceptional service, and we wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone in need of top-tier pet care
Yuliya & Gregory
My Minpin Murphy has serious anxiety and I am hesitant to take him to a kennel. Doug took care of him for 10 days and when I came home Murphy was happy and relaxed. I didn’t have to worry about him while I was gone because Doug sent me updates and daily pictures. I was able to enjoy my vacation and to have peace of mind knowing that Murphy was home in his own environment and content.
Doug’s dog Cooper is friendly and really helped to socialize Murphy. Doug went the extra mile to make sure my home and my dog were well taken care of.
Colleen Uhl
Doug C is a fantastic dog and house sitter. You can leave on your voyage knowing all is in good hands with Doug – as safety, care and well-being will be his priorities. He has watched my puppy, Posey, and all went perfectly. Doug is very neat and tidy, non-smoker. Likes plants too.
Bobbi Yuen
Doug watched our dog Pluto and home. He did an amazing job, took great care of the home, plants, pool and our dog. Our dog loves him so much. Doug is very friendly and flexible, I would recommend him 200%
Navya Gattupally
Doug Crouch did an outstanding job of caring for my dog and my house for 9 days. I returned to find my dog happy and my house well-cared for. I would recommend Doug to any pet owner / homeowner for his caring attention to both my pet and home.
Morgan Milligan
Doug and Cooper are a gift from housesitting heaven.
We have an indoor, free roam bunny rabbit and an 80lb hunting dog that live in tenuous harmony. Add in the usual esoteric pet feeding rules and you wonder who could possibly take over your day-to-day rituals while you are gone. Doug and Cooper can. While traveling we rest easy knowing that our home and furry family members are well taken care of.
Everyday we get beautiful pictures of the animals, and in those pictures you can feel the relaxing atmosphere Doug brings into your house when you are away. Having Doug and Cooper in our circle has allowed us the freedom and peace of mind we need to visit our out of state parents and adult children.
Jeremy Evans
Our new furry friends
Considerations
When you leave home, after a day or so your dog doesn’t know if you’re coming back. They can lose their sense of purpose and experience separation anxiety. Their behavior may change and they can become frustrated and angry. With that in mind here are some things I do to ensure their safety and happiness.
- I keep the same schedule they’re on when you’re at home.
- I engage them in as much play and exercise as possible.
- I walk your dog, either by themselves or with Cooper.
- I will never take your dog to a dog park or let them be around another group of dogs.
- I believe in positive reinforcement and will never negatively discipline your dog.
Quotes About Dogs
“Be the person your dog thinks you are.”
C.J. Frick
“Home is where the dog runs to greet you.”
Unknown
“My therapist has fur and four legs.”
Unknown
“If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
Will Rogers
“If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.”
Phil Pastoret
“Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail.”
Unknown
“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”
Josh Billings
“Even the tiniest Poodle or Chihuahua is still a wolf at heart.”
Dorothy Hinshaw
“When an eighty-five-pound dog licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.”
Kristan Higgins
“When your children are teenagers, it’s important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you.”
Nora Ephron
“A well-trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it.”
Helen Thomson