FAQ's
The below questions are those we're most often asked. Click on the area and question and the answer will display underneath it. If you'd like to know the answer to something that's not included here, please email us, call us on 845-708-5605, or use the Contact Us Form. Thank you!
Ready to go? To book a service and arrange your welcome consultation please click here.
General Questions
What services do you offer?
We are an all-inclusive dog care services business providing: private on-leash walks, group on and off-leash dog adventures, in-home pet visits, in-home overnight and extended sitting, in-home private boarding, day care, evening care, pet taxi, dog grooming, dog training, house sitting, yard pet waste cleanup and more. Special requests? Please let us know. For services details, please visit Our Services page.
What areas do you service?
Dog Hill services the following towns in Rockland County, NY and Bergen County, NJ
Monsey, NY | Nanuet, NY | New City, NY | Nyack, NY | Orangeburg, NY | Palisades, NY | Pearl River, NY | Piermont, NY | Pomona, NY | Sloatsburg, NY | Sparkill, NY | Spring Valley, NY | Stoney Point, NY | Suffern, NY | Tappan, NY | West Nyack, NY | Congers, NY | Haverstraw, NY | Bardonia, NY | Valley Cottage, NY | Garnerville, NY | Chestnut Ridge, NY | Montebello, NY
Saddle River, NJ | Ho Ho Kus, NJ | Oradell, NJ | Pallisades Park, NJ | Paramus, NJ | Cliffside Park, NJ
We will also cover Westchester and Orange counties, so please ask if you're not in Rockland County and you need our help. For service area details, please visit Our Services page.
How do I sign up for your services?
Please complete the Client Reservation Form, or give us a call on 845-708-5605. We will be happy to discuss your dog care needs. You will be invited to a complimentary welcome consultation, and this first meeting will help familiarize us with you and your dog or other pet, and give you an opportunity to go over their routine and any special dietary and exercise needs.
Are you bonded and insured (and what does that mean for me as a client)?
Dog Hill is fully bonded and insured, and proud members of Pet Sitters International (PSI), the largest governing organization in the pet care industry. As members of PSI, we are required to abide by the highest of standards.
What it means to you and all of our clients is peace of mind. We take responsibility for your pets and possessions when you put them in our care. That means that your property and your pets are fully covered should anything occur while in our care. Having these policies in place demonstrates a level of professionalism and commitment that you can trust.
What certifications do you carry or other member affiliations do you have (and what does that mean for me as a client)?
Dog Hill is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer by The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), and independent organization created by the APDT. Dog Hill is trained in animal CPR and general dog first aid. Our groomers are all certified graduates of professional grooming school. We are members of the ASPCA of NY and the Humane Society of the U.S. We are also a network service provider for Hudson Valley Dog Sanctuary (HVDogS), a not-for-profit that provided pet care services to the elderly as well as dog rescure, fostering and placement services for abandoned and or neglected dogs www.Hvdogs.org. We encourage all of our clients to support the great worthy causes we do.
What this means to you is that whatever the service, you can be sure your dog is in great hands with caring and trusting professionals who have your and your best friend’s best interests at heart.
What kind of pets do you care for?
Our care givers have a wide range of experience with virtually every kind of dog (and our sitters have experience across the pet world including dogs and cats, hamsters, rabbits, iguanas, turtles, fish, frogs and even horses). Please let us know if you have a special pet or unusual need and we will do our very best to meet and exceed your expectations.
What are your rates?
At Dog Hill, we like to understand your needs before assigning a rate for your care. We have a basic guideline we observe, but have some flexibility in pricing for different levels and packages of services. We base our pricing on many factors, including the type of pets you have, driving distance, and type and frequency of service you require. Please feel free to Email us, call us on 845-708-5605, or use the Contact Us Form and we’ll work up a plan for service designed to meet your specific needs and budget. For rate details, please visit Our Rates page.
How do I pay for services?
Once you book service with us, we will email you a confirmation which will also serve as your statement for your records. Generally, at the end of the month that your service is complete, we will bill you for services. We accept cash, check or you can use Paypal. For payment details please visit our How It Works page. For payments by check, please make checks payable to Dog Hill and mail to: 8 Second Street, New City, NY 10956.
Am I allowed to give my Dog Hill Dog care giver a gratuity for great service?
Certainly! You can give gratuities directly to your Dog Hill care giver, or you can mail them to us to pass on. 100% of gratuities received go directly to your Dog Hill care giver.
What is your cancellation policy?
24 hours cancellation notice is required for all dog walking and or grooming services. If this is not received, then regular rates will apply to any dog walking services booked but not used, and an average ‘grooming’ rate or cancellation fee of $40 will be charged. For sitting and training, 48 hours cancellation notice is required. Cancellations received less than 48 hours before any arranged reservation begins are subject to a 50% cancellation fee. For cancellation details, please visit our Terms page.
Do you charge a holiday fee?
Yes, we do charge a small additional fee over the major national holidays. We will let you know this at the time you book our service. This is a way for us to reward our team who are giving up their holiday time to take care of your dog. You can see full details of our Holiday Schedule here.
What is the purpose of the initial interview?
We provide a free in-home consultation so we have the opportunity to meet with you and your pet. This ensures that we get all of the information necessary to provide the best care for your dog. To schedule an appointment, please complete the Client Reservation Form, or give us a call on 845-708-5605.
Should I call or email you when I need to get in touch?
Phoning, emailing are both good ways of contacting us, as we check our mailbox and voicemail very often. If you need to speak to us immediately, please call us and we will be happy to talk to you about how we can help with your dog care needs.
If I do call or email you, what sort of information should I leave?
We check our messages often so if you get voicemail don’t worry, we will return your call as soon as we can. Although you will be asked to fill in a detailed reservation form, please leave a message with your dates of travel, or let us know which days you need our services. Please also let us know the town you live in and any other important information we might need to better assist you when we call you back. If you have a cell phone or number you can be reached at directly this will help us contact you more quickly. We do return all calls even if we are not able to help you with your specific request. Alternatively you can complete and submit the Client Reservation Form on this site right now to let us know what your needs are.
Is the information I give you kept private?
Yes. We are committed to keeping all information we receive from our clients and staff confidential, and we will not disclose any of your personal information including your mailing address. We will only use your information as a means to take good care of your dog and home while you are away. For information on our privacy policy, please visit our Privacy Policy page.
What does ‘The Dog Hill Dog Care Guarantee’ mean to me?
Dog Hill absolutely, positively guarantees your satisfaction with every service we provide. Simply make us aware of any dissatisfaction you may have had, and within a week 2 weeks of the completion of that service, we will make it right. It’s that simple. Please feel free to Email us, call us on 845-708-5605, or use the Contact Us Form.
Can I make last minute arrangements?
Absolutely! Overnight services book up quickly, so please try to allow as much advance notice as possible. If we are unable to provide you with the service you request, we will do our very best to find the next best solution to meet your needs. Most important is that no dog goes uncared for and no plans are cancelled!
Can you provide references?
Absolutely! We come with glowing references from many satisfied clients and we encourage this. Our clients want to let you know the great job we do with them. Please ask us to provide them during our initial interview or email us, call us on 845-708-5605, or use the Contact Us Form.
What makes Dog Hill different from other pet care companies in the area?
Dog Hill is a local, independently run, dog care business. Our goal is to provide you and your dog with the utmost in personalized, valet-like, attention so that you and your dog are both happy and healthy. We utilize an on-line or over the phone reservation system with one goal in mind - to make it easy for you to obtain the right services for your dog. We are the only dog care service provider in Rockland County who provides walking, sitting, grooming and training under one roof, and we are easy and flexible to work with. Lastly, we offer a money-back guarantee if you are ever dissatisfied with our service. To schedule an appointment, please complete the Client Reservation Form, or give us a call on 845-708-5605.
How can I get a job working with Dog Hill?
We are always looking for reliable, committed dog care givers – walkers and pet sitters. If you are interested in working with us as a dog walker or pet sitter, please visit the We're Recruiting page for full details. If you are an existing client of ours and you're considering a job working with dogs, we'd be especially delighted to talk with you. Many of our wonderful team members were initially clients who are now thrilled to have a part-time job working with dogs (and we are thrilled to have them!). We have a top-notch team and delight in working with those who have the same high quality standards.
Dog Walking
Are there a minimum number of days required for a regular weekly dog walking service?
Yes. We provide dog walking services Monday through Friday (and sometimes at weekends), and we require a minimum of 2 days a week. For example, some clients use our dog walking services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, others prefer Tuesdays and Thursdays. All we ask is you arrange set days with us so that your dog and their walker can have a regular weekly schedule. We are not often asked to provide walks for clients who only need a few days here and there, but please do email and ask if we can be of help if this is all you require.
I think my dog would enjoy group walking. How many dogs do your walkers walk at any one time?
Our dog walkers take a maximum of three dogs at any one time. We try our best to match up dogs that live in the same area, and that have a similar temperament and energy level. Dogs thrive on interaction with other dogs. By having your dog group-walked several times a week you are giving them the gift of a pack brother or sister that they see regularly. We can also arrange solo walks for dogs that are not good around other dogs, for which there is an additional fee. Please call us to discuss your dog’s specific walking needs.
What is the ‘Run with the Pack’ walk and why would I do this over a regular group walk?
Our Run with the Pack walk is for larger group walks for dogs who ‘love’ large pack walks. Our dog walkers take a maximum of eight dogs at any one time and we match up dogs that have a similar temperament and energy level. We find that this is excellent to do periodically and that it promotes positive interaction in a large pack environment.
Do you segregate the dogs by sex, breed, size, age, etc.?
Not usually, although we may suggest that you keep puppies (10 months or younger) out of the larger pack walks. Typically, all ages, sexes, breeds and sizes are permitted to walk and play together based on our assessment at the interview.
What about dog fights?
Fights will sometimes happen. You can be assured that we are carefully watching your dog’s walk time and are always on the lookout for signs of a fight about to happen. We are constantly observing the dog’s body language and redirecting inappropriate play. We have various methods for breaking up fights that will keep the dogs and our staff safe, including spraying water from a spray bottle, to distract the dogs. If a dog exhibits unacceptable behavior, the dog is given a time out and the owner will be informed of the concern. We will then work with the owner to resolve the problem or the dog will be allocated to a different group or approach.
Can I arrange for my dog to be walked off-leash?
Only if your dog responds well to voice commands and we have your permission. If so, we will allow them to run free on designated dog approved paths or trails. If you agree that you want your dog to be off-leash, we will ask you to provide us with written authorization stating that we are not responsible for your dog should he or she run off. Dogs get the maximum amount of exercise when they are allowed to run free and we do encourage this if your dog is responsive to voice commands.
Dog Sitting
I've never used a pet sitter before. What exactly happens?
After we have received your information and requirements, we will match you with the sitter we feel is best for you and your dogs’ needs. If you work full-time, we will provide a pet sitter who will be arriving after work and departing again in the morning for work, just like you would normally. If your dog needs a sitter who will be around a lot, we will set up a meeting during which you will get to know a sitter who has a flexible schedule. Our fees vary upon the amount of dogs or pets involved and the amount of time you would like the sitter to be at your home. All of our dog sitters have gone through extensive reference and history checks and are committed to providing the best care for your pet and home while you are away, as well as leaving your home neat and tidy when you return. Please visit our Dog Sitting page to get a more in-depth look at what our dog sitting service provides.
How do you screen your sitters?
We put our sitters through a comprehensive background check through Certified Background (criminal, residency history, social security verification and nationwide sexual offender index). In addition, each sitter is carefully screened, interviewed, trained, tested, joined in the field and we request our clients to give online survey feedback on the sitter after every assignment.
Why shouldn’t I hire my neighbor’s child or a low cost pet sitter?
In this case we believe you get what you pay for. Isn’t it worth a little more to ensure your pets and home are in safe hands, and that if something goes wrong, we’ll fully cover it? All of our staff are professionally trained, bonded and insured individuals skilled in providing loving care to pets and homes.
Can I keep the same dog sitter each time I go away?
We make every effort to ensure you get the same sitter on an ongoing basis. At Dog Hill, one of our main goals is to create a bond between your sitter and your pets, so they always feel safe and loved, even in your absence. If your previous dog sitter is not available then a substitute sitter will be, and we will set up a meeting so you and your dog get to know the new sitter before you have to leave.
When can I expect to meet my sitter?
Once you have booked service through our client reservation system, you should expect a phone call from your assigned sitter within 24 hours. Please contact us if you do not hear from them during this period. To book a reservation, you can complete and submit the Client Reservation Form on this site right now to let us know what your needs are.
Can I hire my dog sitter directly without going through you?
No. Please do not place our sitter in an awkward position by offering them dog sitting or dog walking employment outside of our service. You are sometimes given the private cell phone of our sitters as a means to reach them in an emergency while you are away. We respectfully ask that you do not contact them to set up future jobs when you return. Our care givers are prohibited from soliciting or accepting employment directly from our clients, and have signed a legally binding contract to this effect. Thank you for honoring this policy.
Can you give my dog medication while I'm away?
Yes. As long as your dog does not pose a threat to the care giver, we are happy to administer medication to them.
I have to go away at very short notice and have no time to meet the sitter. Can I still book your dog sitting service?
No. Unless we have already met you and your dog we cannot take care of them without a prior meeting. This is for the safety of both you and our sitter, who will be coming to your home while you are away. We are sometimes available for last-minute dog sits and if we have space available and time to set up the required initial interview we will be happy to help you.
I'm going to be away for two months. Can you provide longer-term overnight dog sitting?
Yes. We have sitters who specialize in long-term sitting and who are available for overnight sitting in your home for as long as 3 months. We do offer discounts if you will be traveling for an extended period of time.
Do you board dogs at Dog Hill?
Yes, we can provide this service as an extended ‘training engagement’.
Dog Grooming
When do you perform grooming services?
Dog grooming services must be booked by Friday close prior to the start of the following week. We will notify you within 24 hours to confirm your appointment. If we are booked and are not able to take your groom, we will recommend another groomer or schedule you for another day later in the week. Please visit our Grooming page to get a more in-depth look at what our dog grooming service provides. To schedule an appointment, please complete the Client Reservation Form, or give us a call on 845-708-5605.
When should my puppy have its first professional grooming?
Grooming on your pup should start at 10 weeks of age (after second vaccination), to let the pup become acquainted with the sounds of the studio environment, noises such as dryers, blasters, and other dogs etc. Your groomer will teach your pup and you the proper way to brush and handle your puppy. These techniques started early will imprint on your pup. The first 6 months of life for a dog is like the first 5 years for a human. It is very important to start them early. We recommend a grooming session every month for the first 4 months. Once your dog is conditioned for grooming, regular grooming is required every 2 months for life.
I want my dog short but not shaved?
Shaving and Clipping are the same. Blades come in all different lengths, from short to long. The longest blade made now is a 3/4 which leaves the coat over an inch long. The better maintained the coat is, with no matting or knots, the longer clip style a groomer can do. Longer clipped styles require more frequent grooming every 4 weeks to maintain the style. Anything longer than that is hand scissored, and is not practical for the dog and the family to maintain their coats. Everything is dragged into a home, grass clippings, mud, snow you name it, it adheres to the hair, but if you enjoy the long styles can afford the regular frequent grooming (every 4-6 weeks for hand scissored long styles) and are willing to put your time and effort into your pets brushing, a long coat style is a sight to behold.
Do’s and Don’ts?
Before going to Groomers, do NOT feed your dog. Take your dog for a walk (or have Dog Hill do it) prior to leaving home for him or her to relieve itself. Please DO NOT let your dog urinate on the walkways or poles leading into the studio, and if your dog poops please SCOOP and dispose of it properly at home. Do not bring toys, or treats - 75% of dogs get stressed over grooming and they will not eat it or play with it. It is very normal for your dog to shake when coming into a dog salon, they are smart and know what is coming, and love to put on a "show" for their owners, but once inside they know the drill, and are quite content with us once the owner leaves. You are best to just "hand off" your dog to the groomer and NOT make a big deal about leaving your dog. Your dog will pick up on your anxiety and it will be harder on him or her. Don't worry about your pooch, they will be fine!
Please Do NOT show up or call while your dog is being groomed. Showing up while your dog is being finished on the table stresses out your dog and gets him all excited wanting to go home with you. This makes it very unsafe for us to try and finish our work. Please do NOT call us, as with each distraction this also puts your dog at risk on the table while we try and get the phone to tell you the dog is not ready, and delays us on time, putting us behind on your dog and the next dogs. We will call when the dogs is finished. All dogs are required to be picked up with-in 30 minutes of our call; or if you’ve arranged for a Dog Hill taxi service, you must be home when we drop your dog off.
Why does my Groomer not quote me a price over the phone, it’s always $(this much) and up?
Most owners are not aware of what blades will get through certain types of coats, what condition the dog is in, and what type of temperament the dog has. All these factors play a part in pricing, along with what type of style can be done on the dog versus what the owners want. Some owners will say "Oh he has a few knots" but the dog shows up at the studio and he’s is matted solid on his legs but the owner wants a longer style. This is impossible and very painful on the dog to even attempt to brush out. In order to do a long style the dog has to be completely brushed and combed out. The safest and most painless way is to clip down the dog short and start all over again but maintain the dog with proper brushing in between grooms. So without seeing the dog, and its condition of coat we can only estimate the cost and "up". Extra fees could be applied to the extra time taken to clip down a dog because of matting or behavior, or for a longer hand scissored style, if the dog is in excellent coat condition.
Why was I charged a Late fee?
Late fees are charged to the client when they book their dog for a specific time and then show up late for it. We book dogs every hour on the hour, so when you show up late, our next appointment is scheduled to come in, which puts us behind on their dogs, and any other scheduled dogs to follow. Late fees of 80 cents per minute will be charged. After 30 minutes the dog will be rescheduled and late fee will be applied to the next groom. One hour late past the appointment time will be considered a No Show. Our cancellation fees will then apply. For cancellation details, please visit our Terms page.
Is it too cold to have my dog groomed?
Dogs always need a complete brush out and bathing that a professional can provide. Nail trimming and ear cleaning is a must all year round too. When clients let their pets go through the winter without professional grooming, their dog ends up coming in with their fur all matted, and then they need to be clipped very short. If you would like to keep your pets style, don't skip those winter visits to the professionals. Keep your pet in style and feeling great all through they year!
Why do you charge a NO SHOW fee?
Only so many dogs can be done in one day. At Dog Hill, we only take a minimal amount of dogs for a less stressed environment for your dog. If we are notified more than 24 hours in advance, we can book another dog. Some clients do not call to reschedule, they just no show. We have adopted a ZERO tolerance for this. All clients who NO SHOW will be charged a FULL (average) grooming price missed and have to prepay their next appointments in advance. If this is not done, unfortunately Dog Hill will no longer be able to groom your dog. For cancellation details, please visit our Terms page.
Training
What training methods do you use?
At Dog Hill we use positive and humane methods in training your dog. We believe that positive methods equal positive results. We never use physical punishment or harsh corrections. A wagging tail on your dog and a smile on your face is what we want to see. We focus on teaching owners how to positively and effectively communicate with their dogs. Once you know how to do that, the possibilities are endless. Please visit our Training page to get a more in-depth look at what our dog grooming service provides. To schedule an appointment, please complete the Client Reservation Form, or give us a call on 845-708-5605.
How long are your classes?
Classes meet once a week for about an hour. We can also come to your home for private sessions. Sessions are six weeks long.
How old should my puppy be to begin training?
Since obedience training is essential to good behavioral health, training should begin as early as possible. We believe that 10 weeks is a good starting point for most puppies. Owners are usually pleasantly surprised at how easily and quickly their puppies learn.
Can my children come to class?
Certainly! Having all members of the family involved can help provide the consistency that is an important part of any training program. We do ask that each child be supervised by an adult.
My dog has some behavior problems. Is one of your classes right for me?
Dogs that have developed a behavior problem definitely benefit from general obedience training. However, in most cases, obedience class is used in conjunction with a behavior modification program in the home.
Do you offer private instruction?
Yes, if your dog has a behavior problem, or you feel more comfortable learning in your own home, we offer private obedience training and behavior modification. Sessions can be scheduled in your home at your convenience. Please feel free to email us, call us on 845-708-5605, or use the Contact Us Form and we’ll work up a plan for service designed to meet your specific needs and budget.
Pet Taxi
How does it work?
Just give us a call on 845-708-5605 or email us and explain your needs to us. If your pup is due for a visit to the groomer (Dog Hill) or vet, we can pick them up and drop them off so you don't have to rearrange your morning schedule. If you've ever had trouble meeting a pick up time, we can alleviate the stress and have your dog back home before you are! If you are moving to a new home and/or need your dog transported on a journey we can also help - Please ask about our Dog Taxi Program when you contact.
What are your rates?
At Dog Hill, we like to understand your needs before assigning a rate for this service. Oftentimes, we’ll combine the taxi service with our rates. We have a basic guideline we observe, but have some flexibility in pricing for different levels and packages of services. We base our pricing on many factors, including the type of pets you have, driving distance, and type and frequency of service you require. Please feel free to email us, call us on 845-708-5605, or use the Contact Us Form and we’ll work up a plan for service designed to meet your specific needs and budget. For rate details, please visit Our Rates page.
Safekey Program
How does it work?
This is an industry standard program. We keep two sets of your keys. The first key is used to access your home for walking or sitting services. The second key is kept in our office as a back-up in the unlikely event that the first is either lost, broken, or fails to work in your lock for any reason. Participating in this program enables us to be fully ready to provide you with immediate services when you need us, without having to plan a meeting to pick up your key. This program also makes it easy for us to provide you with immediate coverage should you ever have an emergency, or for any other short notice situation. Ask about joining our SafeKey Program at your initial consultation. There is no fee to join the SafeKey Program if you activate it during your initial consultation.
How do I know that it's safe to give you my key?
For your complete peace of mind, we background check every Dog Hill team member. Many casual dog walkers and pet sitters do not or cannot provide you with proof that they have no prior criminal convictions. Casual dog walkers can be cheaper to employ, but what price do you put on the security of your home?
When should I give the key to my dog walker or pet sitter?
Most clients give a key to their dog walker or pet sitter at the initial interview, after agreeing to go ahead with the service. If you are not able to do this, we charge a $20 key pick-up fee. We can keep your key at our office if you travel often, or we can leave it in your home at the end of the booking period, whichever you prefer. Please ask about our SafeKey Program when you Contact Us Form – this is an industry standard program
Other Services
What other services do you provide?
Yard pet waste cleanup and more. Special requests? Please let us know. For services details, please visit Our Services page. If you'd like to know if we can do something that's not included here, please email us, call us on 845-708-5605, or use the Contact Us Form. Thank you!
Copyright 2010 Dog Hill: Pet Sitter New York. All rights reserved.
