On days and times that you designate, I will go to your home to walk your dog on leash within neighborhoods that you approve for the time period you designate, return your dog home at the end of the walk and secure your home before I leave. Upon request, I will also transport your dog for grooming or veterinarian care. On special occasions, I will gladly treat your dog to a romp on the beach or a long hike in the foothills on trails I have built or maintained.

You will receive a message from me whenever your dog is picked up and again when returned home. This message can be voice, e-mail, text or even a photo. If desired, you can also follow our path on your smart phone.

No. Unlike the large dog walking companies, I never hire employees, “subs” or independent contractors to walk my dogs. I will walk your dog and no one else. I love my dogs too much to ever entrust them to an employee no matter how trustworthy he or she appears to be. If you hire Best Friend Dog Walker, you can be assured no strangers will ever come to your home to walk your dog.

Please click the Location link to see maps of the main areas in which I walk my dogs. If you live outside these areas, I may still be able to provide service.

Please click the Rates & Services link to read detailed information about my fees.

I accept payment by cash, check, money order, online bank transfer, PayPal, Square, Zelle, Venmo or Dwolla. The owner takes responsibility for the prompt payment of fees on the last day of each work week.

No. Your dog will be walked individually. I strongly recommend that you NEVER hire a dog walker that walks six or seven dogs simultaneously no matter how experienced he or she claims to be. It’s extremely difficult to handle an emergency situation when walking a large pack of dogs.

Getting started is easy. The first step is a free phone consultation in which you tell me about your dog and I answer all your questions. My phone number is (213) 618-1241. If you wish to proceed after the phone consultation, the next step is a free in-home visit at which you’ll get to know me better and I’ll be able to meet your dog. The last step is to complete and sign my Dog Walking Service Agreement which includes an Owner Information Sheet, Dog Information Sheet and Veterinary Release Form. This agreement is available in PDF format and can be e-mailed, faxed or mailed to you upon request before the in-home visit.

The Dog Information Sheet is extremely important. To exercise and protect your dog properly, it’s imperative that I learn everything about your dog’s history, behavior, temperament, health, condition, allergies, medications, habits, likes, dislikes, fears, phobias, etc.

Of course, I’ll need documentation that your dog is currently licensed and vaccinated against rabies. For health reasons, your dog should be current on other vaccinations as well.

Yes. The first walk is always free.

No. There is no minimum number of days or hours of service that you must book. I request 7 days notice if you wish to cancel the dog walking service.

Pills yes, shots no.

Best Friend Dog Walker has a business tax registration certificate issued by the City of Los Angeles. This is the only “license” that’s required.

Since I don’t offer house sitting or hire employees, I’ve never found a bond to be necessary or helpful. Large dog walking operations must be bonded to protect THEM from losses that occur from careless, absent or dishonest employees or independent contractors.

In 2012, after a 20 year career in the travel industry, I realized that working at a computer station all day wasn’t the way I wanted to live the rest of my life so I decided to switch careers to working with dogs, my greatest passion. I followed the career advice, “Do you what you love and then find someone to pay you to do it”. I started walking my friends’s and neighbor’s dogs and expanded the business from there. I recently renamed my business “Best Friend Dog Walker” to express my desire to become the best friend of each and every dog I walk.

In 7 years of dog walking I have never encountered a medical emergency but if one should occur while walking your dog, I will contact you at the numbers provided to confirm your choice of action. If you cannot be reached, I will transport your dog to the veterinarian listed on the Owner Profile Sheet. In the event your regular veterinarian is not available or that closer care is required, I will transport your dog to an alternate veterinarian determined by me.

Many clients have a family member or domestic at home at the walking time so no key needs to be given to me. If your dog is confined outdoors, I would only need a key to the gate. If your dog is confined indoors, I would require a key to the house.

The safest way to provide your house key or gate key is to place it into a portable Master Lock Key Safe so that the key to your home never leaves your home.

Unless you cancel the walk, I will always service your dog as agreed. If your dog is confined indoors, he or she still needs to go outside no matter how severe the weather may be. In the event the inclement weather is so severe that it presents a danger to your dog, he or she will be given a potty break in your yard and then the rest of the time will be spent playing in a covered area outdoors if available or upon your request, indoors.

I love all animals but restrict my service to dogs, the one animal I know and love best.

Not at this time. I have explored offering this service but have decided that it would interfere too much with my dog walking responsibilities. However, in the event of an emergency, I would house sit your dog at your home for one or two nights unless I have a prior commitment.

I do work Saturdays. On holidays, there is an extra charge of $10. Holidays are New Year’s Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington’s Birthday, Easter Sunday, Juneteenth, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

I have worked with dogs for 55 years and have learned to love all the breeds but I must admit that some dogs are first among equals. Among my favorites are German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Samoyeds, Labrador Retrievers, Bulldogs, Poodles, Afghan Hounds, Australian Shepherds, Collies, Cocker Spaniels, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, Irish Setters, Pit Bulls, Pekingese, Corgis, Pugs, Boxers, Vizslas and Pomeranians. However, I regret there are many breeds I have never walked so no doubt my list of favorites would be much longer if I had experienced all 600 breeds recognized worldwide. Of course, many of my favorites have been mixed breeds.

Whatever breed or mixed breed is yours, he or she will love the time spent with me. Dogs crave the exercise, love, attention and companionship I provide them. Nothing makes them happier than their daily romp with their new best friend. Each day your dog will arrive home happy, healthy, relaxed and contented, freeing you from the task of walking your dog at the end of a long work day.

Please call me at (213) 618-1241 or e-mail me at Nick@BestFriendDogWalker.com.

The first appointment daily is at 7:00 A.M. The last appointment is 7:00 P.M. Sometimes I make an exception to these hours to accommodate the needs of my clients.

Unlike most dog walkers, I have always considered snacks, light brushing and yard cleanup part of the job if requested by the owner. Other simple tasks that are not directly related to dog walking will also be done without charge provided that the tasks can be accomplished within a few minutes.

Yes, I am. As stated in the Dog Walking Service Agreement, you are retaining my services as an independent contractor and not as an employee. You will not provide fringe benefits, health insurance benefits, paid vacations or any other employee benefits to me. I will be responsible for my own expenses and all payments with regard to income taxes.

I have received many letters from current and past clients who have expressed their happiness with the services I have provided for them and their dogs. These references are available upon request.

Yes but only with clear authorization from the dog’s owner. I recommend the county dog park at Crescenta Valley Park.

There are too many unknown risk factors at the two dog parks in Silver Lake and Griffith Park so I don’t take my dogs there. Some dogs are much too aggressive to be let loose at those dog parks. Other dogs present a health risk to your dog because they are sick or have not been vaccinated properly. Many owners don’t supervise their dogs properly at the those parks. The health and safety of your dog is my primary concern so I’m unwilling to expose your dog to those risks by taking him or her to those parks.