Frequently Asked Questions
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Below you will find answers to the most common questions about our services. If you have questions about special needs dogs, senior dogs or custom services, please reach out. We are happy to discuss your dog’s specific requirements.
Please contact us at: +39 3458231558 or isabella@camminocanino.com
About Cammino Canino
Q: Who is Cammino Canino?
Cammino Canino is a professional pet care service that was founded in February 2024.
Q: Where is Cammino Canino located?
Cammino Canino is located in the Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence. Unless otherwise arranged, all drop-off and pick-up appointments take place at this address.
📍 Manifattura Tabacchi
Via delle Cascine 35
50144 Florence, Italy
Q: What makes us different from other pet-care options?
Care is personalized, in-home, and intentionally small-scale. Because all services are provided by the owner, your dog receives consistent attention, routine, and calm, high-quality care.
Q: Who provides the services?
Cammino Canino is fully owner-operated. This ensures consistency, personalized care, and a direct relationship between your dog and their caregiver.
Q: What services do you offer?
Cammino Canino offers in-home overnight boarding, dog daycare, personalized dog walking, and enrichment-focused care.
Q: What training or qualifications do you have?
Isabella is trained in pet first aid, dog handling, and behavioral management. She is registered with the Camera di Commercio di Firenze under the category of small entrepreneur for the care of companion animals.
Q: What is your approach to pet care?
We focus on individualized, calm, and routine-based care. Our philosophy prioritizes safety, structure, enrichment, and maintaining each dog’s usual home environment whenever possible.
Q: Do you accept dogs of all sizes and breeds?
Yes, Cammino Canino welcomes dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments, including those who are shy or sensitive. A meet-and-greet helps ensure a good fit.
Q: Is Cammino Canino the right fit for my dog?
Cammino Canino provides small-group home-style care, which works best for certain types of dogs.
This environment is typically ideal for dogs who:
• are comfortable around other dogs
• enjoy walks and outdoor activity
• are able to relax in a home environment
This environment may not be ideal for dogs who:
• have severe separation anxiety
• have uncontrolled aggression toward dogs or people
• cannot safely be around other dogs
The meet-and-greet helps determine whether the environment will be a good fit for everyone.
Booking and Requirements
Q: How do I book a service?
Submit an inquiry through the website or contact us directly.
We arrange a free Meet and Greet.
You complete the Intake Form, Contract and Liability Waiver.
A deposit is required to secure your booking.
We confirm your booking in writing.
Q: Do you require a Meet and Greet?
Yes. This is essential for assessing your dog’s needs, behavior and routine, and for ensuring that we are a good match.
Q: What documents do I need to provide?
You will need to complete:
• Intake Form
• Medication Form (if applicable)
• Contract
• Photo & Video Release
• Liability Waiver
• Veterinary Release
Payment and Policies
Q: How can I pay?
Payments can be made through a SumUp payment link, bank transfer or cash. A deposit is required for all bookings.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
• Walks and daycare: minimum 48 hours notice
• Overnight stays (4 days or fewer): minimum 48 hours notice
• Overnight stays (5 days or more): minimum 72 hours notice
• Cancellations within the minimum notice period result in a non refundable deposit
• With sufficient notice, the deposit can be applied to a future booking within 6 months
Q: Do you charge holiday rates?
Yes. A holiday rate applies on public holidays, Christmas period, and selected peak days. You will always be informed in advance.
Health and Safety
Q: What health requirements must my dog meet?
All dogs must be:
• up to date on vaccinations
• on regular flea and tick prevention
• free from contagious illness for at least 48 hours prior to the service
• microchipped and wearing a collar or harness with ID
Q: Can you administer medications?
Yes. We can give medications as long as they are accompanied by the veterinary label and dosage instructions. You must complete the Medication Form.
Q: What happens in case of an emergency?
We immediately ensure your dog is safe, contact you and your emergency contacts, and follow the instructions in your signed Veterinarian Release Form. If needed, we go directly to the nearest open veterinary clinic. You will receive a full written report of the incident.
Training Support
Q: Are you a certified dog trainer?
While I do not currently hold a formal dog training certification, I have extensive hands-on experience working with dogs in professional care environments. Before founding Cammino Canino, I worked in a busy dog daycare and walking setting where I supervised group play, monitored canine behavior, and handled dogs with a wide range of temperaments and energy levels.
This experience involved reading dog body language, managing group dynamics, preventing conflicts, and reinforcing calm, appropriate behavior in real-world situations.
At Cammino Canino, training support focuses on practical skills that dogs use every day—such as leash manners, recall, and calm behavior around people and other dogs. Sessions are structured, consistent, and tailored to each dog’s personality and needs.
Q: What does training support include?
Training support focuses on helping dogs develop better everyday behaviors through calm, structured guidance. Rather than formal classroom-style obedience training, skills are practiced during real-life situations such as walks, playtime, and supervised social interactions.
Areas we commonly work on include:
• loose-leash walking
• recall and attention
• impulse control
• calm greetings
• socialization with other dogs
• confidence building for nervous dogs
Q: Can training support be combined with other services?
Yes. Training support can be integrated into walks, daycare sessions, or overnight stays, allowing your dog to practice skills naturally throughout the day. This often leads to faster progress because behaviors are reinforced consistently.
Q: Do you work with puppies?
Yes. Puppies benefit greatly from early training support. Sessions focus on building strong foundations such as leash walking, recall, socialization, and calm behavior around people and new environments.
Q: My dog pulls on the leash or doesn’t listen outside. Can you help?
Yes. Many dogs struggle with distractions outdoors. Training walks focus on improving leash manners, attention to the handler, and calm responses to other dogs, people, and urban environments.
Q: Will I receive feedback after sessions?
Yes. After training sessions, owners receive updates on what was practiced and suggestions for simple exercises they can continue at home. Consistency between sessions and home routines helps achieve the best results.
Q: How do I book training support?
The first step is to contact us so we can discuss your dog’s needs and determine the most appropriate approach. From there we can schedule an initial session and create a plan tailored to your dog.
Q: Not sure if your dog would benefit from training support?
Feel free to reach out, we are always happy to discuss your dog’s behavior and recommend the best approach.
Solo Care / Special Accommodation
Q: What is solo care or a special accommodation?
A: Solo care refers to situations where a dog needs to be cared for separately from other dogs due to reactivity, compatibility issues, medical needs, or safety concerns. Special accommodations may also include additional supervision or staffing to ensure a calm and secure environment.
Q: How do you determine if my dog requires solo care?
A: Care needs are assessed based on temperament, behavior history, observed interactions, and overall safety considerations. Determinations are made at the provider’s discretion and always with the well-being of all dogs as the top priority.
Q: Why is there an additional fee for solo care?
A: Solo care often requires extra time, staffing, coordination, or resources to provide safe, attentive service. The additional fee reflects these added operational costs.
Q: Will I be notified before any additional fees apply?
A: Yes. Any required special accommodations and associated fees will be discussed and agreed upon before booking confirmation.
Q: Is my dog being “punished” or labeled as a problem?
A: Not at all. Many dogs thrive in solo or individualized care. This policy is about meeting each dog’s unique needs, not assigning fault or blame.
Q: Can I decline solo care if I don’t want to pay the additional fee?
A: You’re always welcome to decline services that don’t fit your needs or budget. However, standard-rate care may not be available if solo care is required for safety reasons.
Q: Does this policy apply permanently?
A: Not necessarily. Care requirements may change over time based on behavior, training progress, or successful reintroductions. We’re happy to reassess when appropriate.
Q: Why doesn’t this fee apply to every dog?
A: Most dogs are compatible with group care and do not require additional accommodations. The fee only applies when extra measures are needed beyond standard care.
Weather Policies
Q: Do you walk dogs in bad weather?
Yes, Cammino Canino walks dogs in most weather conditions, as long as the dog still enjoys their walk. These decisions are made with both dog and walker safety in mind.
Q: What weather conditions would cause a walk to be: canceled, postponed or modified?
At our discretion, walks may be canceled, postponed, or shortened in cases of:
Heavy rain or storm
Extreme heat or cold
Heavy snow, ice, or unsafe road/sidewalk conditions
Weather advisories or emergencies issued by local authorities
Q: How will I be notified if weather affects my scheduled walk?
Cammino Canino will contact you as soon as possible via a Whatsapp message or phone call if weather conditions require a change to your scheduled service.
Q: Can I request a cancellation due to bad weather? Is there a charge for cancellation?
Absolutely. If you feel the weather is unsuitable for your dog, you may request a cancellation or modification.
Weather-related cancellations initiated by Cammino Canino for safety reasons will not be charged. Owner-requested cancellations follow our standard cancellation policy unless otherwise agreed.
Q: Do you take extra precautions in hot or cold weather?
In hot weather, we:
Walk during cooler times of day
Avoid hot pavement
Ensure access to water and shade
In cold weather, we:
Limit exposure time
Avoid icy areas
Respect individual dog tolerance levels
Dog Behavior
Q: Do you accept dogs with behavioral issues?
We accept dogs on a case by case basis. Full disclosure is required regarding reactivity, aggression, resource guarding, or any history of bites. Safety for your dog, other dogs and the caregiver is always our priority.
Q: What if my dog is not good with other dogs?
We can provide private walks and individual attention. However, for dogs with severe aggression or unpredictable behavior, services may not be suitable.
Q: Do you offer off leash activities?
Off leash time is available only for dogs with proven recall and only after the owner signs the Off Leash Consent Form. We use only safe, designated areas.
Services and Daily Routine
Q: How much outdoor exercise will my dog receive?
Outdoor activity is a central part of every dog’s day.
Dogs typically receive:
• a long structured walk or park session
• additional outdoor breaks throughout the day
• supervised play and enrichment activities
Exercise levels are adjusted based on the dog’s age, health, temperament, and energy level, with the goal that dogs are happy, relaxed, and well-exercised by the end of the day.
Q: What is included in a dog walk?
• Pickup and drop off
• A structured walk suited to your dog’s needs
• Mental enrichment and positive reinforcement
• A photo or video update during the walk
Q: What is included in an overnight stay?
• Walks, feeding and all routine care
• Supervision and company
• A comfortable sleeping setup
• Playtime and enrichment
• Meal preparation based on your instructions
• Daily photo and video updates
Q: What should I pack for an overnight stay?
• Food for the entire stay
• Collar/harness and leash
• Any medications with instructions
• Treats and toys if your dog has favorites
Communication and Updates
Q: Will I receive updates?
Yes. We send regular updates, photos and videos through WhatsApp for both walks and overnight stays.
Q: How do you handle communication?
All communication is handled directly with Isabella through WhatsApp or email. You will always receive timely and clear updates.
Insurance and Professional Standards
Q: Are you insured?
Yes, Cammino Canino maintains both personal liability insurance and home insurance to protect against unexpected incidents. At the moment, Italy does not offer specific professional insurance policies for dog sitters or pet care providers.
Despite this limitation, we follow strict safety protocols, use detailed intake and consent forms, and operate in full compliance with Italian regulations to ensure the highest level of protection for your dog.
Q: What qualifications do you have?
• Training in pet first aid and CPR
• Experience in dog behavior, handling and group dynamics
• Registered Partita IVA and compliant with Italian regulations
• Proven experience with dogs of all sizes, ages and temperaments