Meet Jolanda Gerbecks, one of our experienced and beloved sitters on Petbnb. With her calm energy, love for dogs and inspiring perspective on behavior and communication, she shares her best experiences, insights and tips with other dog lovers.
About Jolanda
Name: Jolanda Gerbecks
Age: Born in 1964
Work: Storyteller and trainer in the mental health field
Layla, her faithful golden retriever
Jolanda herself had a golden retriever named Layla - a sweet, affectionate and playful dog with a calm nature. Layla inspired her to share her love of dogs with others as well through Petbnb.
Why she started babysitting
"I was already doing it with love for friends and colleagues," Jolanda says. "I continued to enjoy it so much that I wanted to expand it through Petbnb."
The cutest babysitting dog
"Lucky, the pug, because his ego is so huge," she says, laughing. "He has so much character - every day with him is a treat."
What she learned from dogs
"I've learned that dogs need calm and boundaries more than we humans often give them. They mirror our energy - the calmer we are, the more confidence they feel."
A special memory
"I will never forget how calm Storm, a white Swiss shepherd, remained during the dominant behavior of another big male dog. Within two seconds he became the undisputed leader, purely because of his calmness."
Favorite exhaust spot
"The Kapeller Forest! A fantastic off-leash area with dozens of social dogs to play with. It's a place full of positive energy."
Jolanda's golden tip for other babysitters
"Stay calm." Jolanda believes calmness is the key to confidence, both in dogs and their owners. "Your energy determines how a dog feels - so stay relaxed, clear and present."
More about Jolanda
Wondering if Jolanda still has room for your dog? View her profile via her Petbnb ad.
Want to read more stories from other babysitters? Then also read the story of Jan Willem - another golden babysitter within our community.
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