My Story
Born and raised in the Bay Area, I eventually found myself moving to San Francisco after falling in love with everything that makes this city feel so special (including the abundance of very good dogs).
I’ve adored dogs for as long as I can remember and have always found a unique kind of joy and connection whenever I’m around them. After spending 12 years working in retail management, I decided it was time for a big life pivot and finally follow that lifelong love of dogs.
Over the past year, I worked for a commercial dog walking company where I learned about dog behavior, pack dynamics, and the art of a truly good walk. Starting Nic Walks Dawgz felt like the natural next step. It allows me to take everything I’ve learned and create thoughtful, positive outings where dogs feel safe, understood, and excited to head out the door!
That brings us here - Your dog and I will get along great
My approach
My approach to dog walking starts with getting to know the dog in front of me. Every dog has their own personality, energy level, and comfort zone, so I tailor each outing to what works best for them. Some dogs want to explore every smell along the block, some prefer a steady structured walk, and others need a little extra patience and encouragement. My goal is to create an outing that helps each dog feel comfortable, engaged, and fulfilled.
I do this by focusing on positive reinforcement and building trust with the dogs in my care. That means rewarding their good choices, staying attentive to their body language, all while creating a calm, consistent experience they can rely on. Ultimately, I want to become someone your dog feels safe and happy to walk with, so every outing feels like a highlight of their day!
What people are saying
“Our girl Hazel is absolutely smitten with Nic — she's the best! From their first day together, Nic took the time to get to know our dog, and tailored her approach to our girl's personality and needs. She's a great communicator, letting us know how Hazel did that day and any progress or behavioral trends she's noticing. When Hazel goes with Nic, we're able to relax knowing our girl is in Nic's capable, caring hands. She's a delight to work with, and we can't recommend her enough.”
— Carly “Nic is always communicative and so helpful with walking our rescue dog, Pheobe! She is so gentle and kind with our sensitive pup, and takes a great positive reinforcement approach that Pheobe really responds to. It's so relieving to know our dog is in good hands!”
— Kennedy“Nic and my Cavapoo, Lola, share a very special bond. (Lola can barely contain her joyful waggles every time she sees her!) Lola is a tiny girl, so I can be overprotective, but I always feel at ease when she is with Nic. I especially appreciate Nic’s daily updates letting me know what Lola is up to, and alerting me to anything that needs my attention. I see Nic as a partner in Lola’s care, not just her dog walker. I cant recommend her services highly enough!””
— Alisa