About Dog Sitting Manchester
Meet Melissa
Hi, I’m Melissa — I started Dog Sitting Manchester, and I’m the one who’ll be looking after your dog like my own.
I’ve been caring for dogs here full-time for over 11 years, and from the beginning I wanted to create something very different from a typical busy daycare environment.
I know that for the people who choose me, their dog isn’t “just a dog”. They’re part of the family - and choosing who to trust with them really matters.
Why I started Dog Sitting Manchester
When I first started, I kept hearing similar stories from dog owners.
Some told me their dogs were stressed at drop-off and collection from larger daycare settings. Others worried about noisy, chaotic environments, too many dogs together, their dogs learning bad behavioural habits, having no place to rest, and simply not receiving much individual attention or care.
I wanted to offer the opposite.
A calm, loving, home-from-home environment where dogs could genuinely feel safe, relaxed and understood.
That’s why I’ve always deliberately kept my numbers very small and been careful about which dogs I bring together. Some days I may only have one or two dogs with me. What matters isn’t filling spaces - it’s making sure the dogs in my care feel safe, loved, understood and deeply cared for from beginning to end.
Knowing each dog as an individual
One of the parts of this work I love most is getting to know the tiny details that make every dog different.
Their routines. Their friendships. The things that make them excited. The situations they find difficult. The little changes in their body language that tell me when they need reassurance, space, rest or a change of pace.
I naturally notice small details and patterns, and after more than a decade of spending my days with dogs, that awareness has become a huge part of the way I care for them.
I don’t want a dog simply to be supervised while they’re here. I want them to feel understood.
This can be especially important for nervous, anxious or sensitive dogs. Over the years, many owners have told me how surprised they are by how quickly their normally nervous dog has settled with me - when they’ve struggled to settle elsewhere.
And there are few things I love more than hearing that a dog recognises where they’re going, pulls their owner towards my home on the way here, and can’t wait to come back through the door.
More than 11 years of friendships
One of the loveliest things about doing this for so long is that I’ve been able to build relationships with dogs over many years.
Some have been with me since they were puppies. I’ve watched them grow up, learn, build confidence and form friendships with other regular dogs who become genuinely so excited to see one another again.
That continuity means I know my regular dogs incredibly well - their personalities, habits, preferences and the subtle ways they communicate.
Dog care has never been something I do alongside another career. This has been my full-time work and a huge part of my life for over a decade.
I’m also qualified to Level 3 in Dog Behaviour, and my interest in behaviour, psychology and how animals experience the world continues to shape the way I care for every dog who stays with me.
What you can expect
I personally review every enquiry and take time to understand your dog before agreeing that they’re a good fit.
Together, we’ll talk about their personality, routine, experience with other dogs, any anxieties or individual needs, and the dates you’re looking for.
I’m DBS-checked, insured and first aid trained. Dogs come to my home for day care and overnight boarding, with very small numbers and dogs carefully matched to help keep the environment relaxed and enjoyable from beginning to end.
I discuss suitability, availability, care arrangements, drop-off times, collection times and pricing directly with you.
A second home they’re happy to come back to
Ultimately, my aim is simple.
I want every dog who comes through my door to feel safe, loved, understood and genuinely happy to be here.
And even after more than 11 years, seeing a dog so excited to come back still makes me smile just as much as it did at the very beginning.
