Derek S.
Petaluma, CA





Services
Derek can care for
Availability
Pet care is a regular part of my weekly routine. I plan my schedule around set walking blocks so I can be consistent and attentive during each walk. This allows me to manage my time well and give dogs a calm, focused experience while keeping owners informed and updated!
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About Derek S.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
For walking services, I care for dogs in their home environment and on walks, following all owner instructions closely. I prioritize safety by using secure equipment, keeping dogs on leash, and being mindful of surroundings. I respect clients’ homes and communicate clearly if anything comes up, so owners always feel informed and confident.
Information Derek S. would like to know about your pet
Before the walk has started, it’s important for me to understand your dog’s temperament, energy level, and behavioral tendencies (such as leash pulling, reactivity, anxiety). Please also share any medical conditions, injuries or allergies, as well as any specific commands or tools you use during walks. I also appreciate knowing how your dog typically reacts to other dogs, people or loud environments so I can ensure a safe and structured experience.
A typical day
I focus on engaging, structured walks tailored to each dogs energy level and temperament! Depending on your dog, it might include controlled neighborhood walks, light jogging for higher energy dogs, sniffing routes, calm decompression time, or even basic obedience reinforcement (sit, heel, recall when appropriate). My overall goal is to provide both physical and mental stimulation while keeping every walk safe and consistent!
Pets
Walks your dog will love!
Pet care experience
I’ve spent a lot of time around dogs and have hands on experience walking and caring for them in everyday situations. Having a parent as a veterinarian emphasized safety, proper handling, and responsibility. I’m comfortable with dogs of different sizes and energy levels, and focus on calm, controlled walks while following each dogs established routine!
Reviews

Georgie thoroughly enjoyed his walk. With all the rain we’ve had, it was good to have him outside getting some fresh air. Derek was wonderful and I highly recommend him.
We’ve had an absolutely outstanding experience with our Rover dog walker, Derek. He has been reliable, professional, and incredibly caring from the very start. It’s clear he genuinely loves dogs and takes pride in what he does—our pup is always thrilled to see him, which says everything. Every walk leaves our dog happy, well-exercised, and relaxed for the rest of the day. Derek consistently goes above and beyond by sharing updates and photos, and his communication is always prompt and thoughtful. He’s flexible, attentive to our dog’s needs, and treats him like one of his own. It gives us real peace of mind knowing Derek is the one caring for our dog. If you’re looking for someone trustworthy, dependable, and truly exceptional at what they do, I can’t recommend him highly enough. He’s been an incredible find and has made a huge difference for both us and our dog.
Rover made our experience so easy and stress-free! Derek was absolutely amazing with our dog. From the start, he was communicative, professional, and clearly experienced. He took the time to make sure our pup felt comfortable and cared for, and the updates gave us so much peace of mind. It’s not always easy trusting someone else with your dog, but Derek went above and beyond. We came home to a happy, well exercised pup, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Highly recommend Derek and Rover to anyone looking for reliable, trustworthy care!
About Derek S.
Communication
Dog skills
Safety, trust & environment
For walking services, I care for dogs in their home environment and on walks, following all owner instructions closely. I prioritize safety by using secure equipment, keeping dogs on leash, and being mindful of surroundings. I respect clients’ homes and communicate clearly if anything comes up, so owners always feel informed and confident.
Information Derek S. would like to know about your pet
Before the walk has started, it’s important for me to understand your dog’s temperament, energy level, and behavioral tendencies (such as leash pulling, reactivity, anxiety). Please also share any medical conditions, injuries or allergies, as well as any specific commands or tools you use during walks. I also appreciate knowing how your dog typically reacts to other dogs, people or loud environments so I can ensure a safe and structured experience.
A typical day
I focus on engaging, structured walks tailored to each dogs energy level and temperament! Depending on your dog, it might include controlled neighborhood walks, light jogging for higher energy dogs, sniffing routes, calm decompression time, or even basic obedience reinforcement (sit, heel, recall when appropriate). My overall goal is to provide both physical and mental stimulation while keeping every walk safe and consistent!
Derek S.
Petaluma, CA
