Seattle · North Seattle
Balanced walks, attentive care, and a genuine love of dogs.
Not just exercise — real engagement. I walk, train, sit, and care for dogs the way an experienced dog person does: reading body language, setting calm structure, and actually enjoying every minute of it.
About
I'm Doug — an endurance athlete and entrepreneur who came to dogs the hard way. I got my first dog in 2005. Diego was a handful from day one — reactive, stubborn, and completely exasperating. I worked with trainers, studied Cesar Millan, and put in the time to figure out what Diego actually needed. He never got easy, but he got better — and he turned out to be one of the most loving dogs I've ever known.
That experience taught me more than any certification could. I understand what it's like to have a dog that challenges you, and I know how to stay calm and consistent when other people would give up. I bring that same patient, detail-oriented approach to every dog I work with.
When I'm not on a bike putting in 5,000+ miles a year, I'm walking and caring for dogs across North Seattle.
What I Offer
Every engagement is tailored to your dog — their energy level, temperament, and what they actually need that day.
Real walks — not a quick spin around the block. I give your dog genuine exercise, mental stimulation, and structured movement. Routes adjusted to your dog's energy and needs. Solo walks for full attention.
Your home stays lived-in, your dog stays comfortable. I stay at your place, maintain your dog's routine, and treat your home with the same care I'd want for my own. No kennels, no stress, no disruption.
Sometimes your dog just needs to be truly tired out. I take dogs on longer, more demanding walks — Carkeek Park, Golden Gardens, the trails along Puget Sound. Real distance, real terrain, real exhaustion. Your dog comes home ready to sleep.
Reinforcing good manners on leash, working on impulse control, and building calm, confident behavior during walks and visits. Not formal obedience classes — practical, real-world skills your dog will actually use.
Reactive, anxious, leash-aggressive, high-drive — I've worked with them all. I don't rattle easily, and I genuinely enjoy the dogs that require more skill and patience to work with.
My Approach
I'm watching your dog's body language constantly — stress signals, excitement thresholds, energy levels. Walks are adjusted in real time to what your dog needs.
Dogs thrive with calm, confident leadership. I don't use force — I use consistency, clear signals, and patience to create a walk that's actually relaxing for your dog.
Photo updates, honest notes about how your dog did, and a heads-up on anything worth knowing. You'll never wonder what happened during the walk.
Specialty
Some dogs need more than a standard walker can offer. Reactivity, anxiety, leash frustration — these aren't character flaws. They're communication. I know how to listen.
"Every dog has a reason for their behavior. My job is to figure it out — and meet them where they are."
Where I Work
Based in North Seattle — serving the surrounding neighborhoods. Not sure if you're in range? Just ask.
Get in Touch
Tell me about your dog — breed, temperament, what you're looking for — and I'll get back to you within a day. No commitment required for an initial conversation.