Active sitter needed for a cuddly young herding dog

About this assignment

I traveled extensively before I settled down in Berlin, on student exchanges as well as using platforms like WorkAway and Couch Surfing, and always having great experiences with flexible, open-minded and respectful people. That's what I hope to offer here with Kinu and my apartment, and what we hope to find in the sitters that help us out! We're THS refugees fleeing from venture capitalism, so please have some patience while our 9 very positive reviews are being transferred!

We're looking for someone confident with dogs, someone who likes being outdoors, someone self-sufficient and with consistent communication skills!

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

You're only taking care of Kinu and occasionally watering house plants!

Kinu's a very active dog and needs a sitter willing to be similarly active. She needs quite a bit of commitment in terms of exercise and mental stimulation, so this sit is not for someone whose primary goal is to see the city alone all day and night, rather maybe for someone working from home who likes to be outside, or doesn't mind the active lifestyle of a border collie-esque pup. That said - Berlin is extremely dog friendly, so you can take her with you if you're going out to a restaurant, cafe, on the subway, and around town touristing.

Kinu sleeps on her bed or in her crate and wakes up around 8.

We have a routine, but we don't expect you follow it exactly, especially if you're in Berlin as a tourist. We do expect Kinu to have gotten plenty of exercise most days.

Normally, we get up, feed her, take her out for a quick 15 mins pee walk, then settle in for work, and she plays with her toys by herself. Around noon we take her for another walk, usually a bit longer, running in the park or in the house courtyard, we try to go for at least half an hour.

Around 5, we take her for the evening walk, although with work calls this varies between 4 and 6:30. This walk is at least 45 mins, in the park or courtyard or at the least, do a walk with lots of commands to tire her out mentally. Kinu gets dinner whenever you do, doesn't seem to care if it's late or early. She goes out to pee for the last time around 8, although she can wait later, we just prefer to keep our evenings for relaxing and not late dog walks. She will whine when she needs to go out if you wait too long.

It's great if you can take her with you for any and all of your activities, we take her on public transit and to public places all the time and although it adds a level of focus and patience to your evening, it's fabulous brain exercise for her and you'll notice the difference in how calm she is at home. Kinu's in the habit of sleeping during the work day so should pose no issue there for home office workers.

She can be left alone at home for up to 4ish hours provided that she's been let out to pee before, and she gets enough exercise at other times of the day.

We ask that sitters let her truly run at least once a day if possible (with work, sometimes it's more like every 2 days...). This means letting her off leash in the fenced dog park, forest paths, or putting her on the 15 meter-long leash and letting her run around any non-fenced grassy area. Quick walks up and down the street are just not sufficient for her breed.

What are the good features of the property and location

Our apartment is 87m, with a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, living room, and office/spare guest room. It is on the 4nd floor without an elevator. You'll have full access to the apartment when you stay, and we'll prepare the bedroom for you. For stays where the dates might not be perfect, you're welcome to come a day early or leave a day late - the office has a very comfortable guest couch/bed.

The location is perfectly situated within the city -- the U5 and Sbahn Lichtenberg is about a 10 minute walk from the apartment, and from there, you reach the center of the city within 20 mins. Dog parks are a 20 mins walk or bus ride away. The trendy district of Friedrichshain is 10/15 mins on the Ubahn, and the Rummelsberg Bucht and Treptower park are within dog-walking distance. It's super quiet and safe in the neighborhood, our neighbors also have dogs and the area in generally is very comfortable.

The house is fully equipped with extra towels, dishes, kitchen appliances, everything you need to have a comfortable stay. Ollie and I both typically work from home, so it is fully outfitted with two desk spaces and monitors that you are welcome to use, as well as TV that gets public channels and can access netflix /youtube / etc etc, as well as connecting your computer to for whatever else.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

Kinu is well trained (see reviews) but giving her enough exercise and climbing up to our 4th floor apartment every day isn't for the weak - it's easier for a couple but we've certainly had great solo sitters as well. Ollie and I are decently flexible pet owners, we want to set you up for success and we'll ask for clear communication and a video call introduction, but we trust that whoever we find to sit will enjoy their time in Berlin and keep Kinu safe above all else.

Can I bring my own pets?

Yes
Restrictions: After discussion - preference for someone without pets, but Kinu is most often good with other dogs so we could make it work.

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