About me

My name is Jacob King and here’s a not so short bio. I’ve been working in the animal care industry for over 15 years now but I’ve always been involved with animals since I was a kid. My first dog was an Anatolian Shepherd named Taz, and I remember being around 8 or so helping to train him to become a cadaver dog for our local police station. I also helped raise a litter of Weimaraners when I was 10. However, it all really started when I was in high school and my mom had signed me up to volunteer at my local dog rescue. What began as a summer of volunteering quickly turned into a career path. My first real job was working as a kennel technician for police and military K9. I spent a few years learning how to properly handle super high energy German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois, and I gained an appreciation for just how smart and cunning dogs can be. I learned extremely advanced training and handling techniques that have served me well, plus I was taught how to read and manage the behaviors of some of the most intense and aggressive dogs out there. I went on to work at a large scale doggie hotel where I oversaw large play groups of dogs (my record was 38 dogs in 1 group by myself!) Wanting to continue my learning, I started working in the kennels at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, where I spent 5+ years working with 1000s of pups of every breed, size, temperament, and background you could imagine. It really rounded out my knowledge of popular breeds like Huskies, Pitbulls, Doodles, Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Frenchies, Terriers, and my personal favorites, Pugs and Rottweilers, as well as the more rare breeds like Dalmations, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. It gave me the confidence to know that I can handle any situation a dog can throw at me. I worked extensively with the most behaviorally challenged dogs in the county. Because of my background, I was the go to handler for all the aggressive dogs, the shut down dogs, and the extremely timid dogs that needed extra special care, compassion, and patience. Through my efforts, I was able to soften countless dogs and give them a better chance at being adopted, while also caring for the dogs that most people couldn’t, and those are still some of my proudest moments in my career. I worked directly with the behavior management team where I picked up some more useful training and handling tips, and I often helped out the veterinary and admission teams where I refined my medical and first aid skills.

In 2022, like many, I used the opportunity to travel after being couped up during the pandemic. I road tripped around the country, did some soul searching, trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. Needing some money and finding myself in Boston, I decided to give professional dog walking a shot. Almost immediately I knew that it was something I wanted to pursue long term. Now this was a dog walking business and I was only a part time dog walker, but it was still the most fun I’ve ever had at a job. I spent the better part of 2023 exploring New England with all my new furry friends!

When I returned to San Diego I went back to the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, only this time it was at a different campus. My priority this time was learning about cats and small animals. I still worked with dogs, but my focus was on small animals like cats, kittens, guinea pigs, rabbits, bunnies, mice, rats, chinchillas, various birds, and the occasional farm animal. After learning as much as I could, and having no aspirations for climbing the corporate ladder, I left to pursue something else.

Dogwalking was still very much on my mind and at this point I was doing Rover as a side gig. Last year, in 2025, I began working at Canine Companions for Independence, a fantastic organization that raises and trains service dogs. I learned even more about dog behavior and gentle training, which was a stark contrast to police/military k9 training and shelter training. Labradors and Golden Retrievers were the main breeds, and I worked with them very closely.

While I’m not a certified trainer, I have worked extensively and directly with several independent dog trainers, training teams, and dog behaviorists. My knowledge and experience is vast and I’m always trying to improve and learn more. I’m also Fear Free Certified, Pet First Aid and CPR Certified

Which brings us to 2026. I started this business because I wanted to continue working directly with dogs and almost every alternative career path I stumbled across over the years would have landed me right behind a desk. This business allows me to use my knowledge and experience to not only serve my community, but to serve their pets as well. No desks, no computers, no bosses, no employees, no middleman, just me and the pups! I noticed a gap in the San Diego dog walking market that my skills could help, a corner of the market that was overlooked and under-served. While there were countless group walkers and mobile app walkers, there didn’t seem to be many professional and experienced private dog walkers. Many dogs are shy or fearful and they don’t feel comfortable or confident in a group setting. Many dogs have anxiety or have had bad experiences with boarding kennels and doggie daycares. Some are even too old or disabled and need specialized care that novice dog handlers can’t provide. That’s where I step in. I take care of the dogs that slip through the cracks. The dogs that need personalized, one-on-one care, from a handler who is as compassionate and patient as he is experienced and knowledgable.

Downtown San Diego can be a scary place for dogs, especially those with higher anxiety or stress, and not everyone is up for group walks. That’s why I’m offering private solo walks where your pets can have my undivided attention as we explore the city together. I believe its important for a dog to trust and bond with their dog walker, and I have no ambitions to grow my business to the point where I need to hire help, which means when you book with me, that’s exactly who you’ll get. While out walking, I’m always scanning my surroundings, altering routes if need be, and avoiding any potential obstacles that may cause stress or fear because I believe that safety is the ultimate priority, because no dog can ever truly be happy unless they feel safe first.