Start or grow your dog walking business on your own schedule

Attend the leading dog walking school in your pajamas or on your lunch break

Why Attend the DWA Online

Work class around your schedule

Already busy walking dogs? Working long hours at a “regular” job? Other family obligations? Fit class in around the edges—plug away for a full day on the weekends or take advantage of your lunch hour or the 15 minutes sitting in the car each day waiting for the kids to get out of school.

Learn from anywhere

Tackle your coursework from your couch, your cubicle, your favorite backyard perch, or even from your hotel during a work trip or vacation. All you need is a computer or tablet and an internet connection.

High quality instruction

You’ll learn from dogbiz co-founder and Dog Walking Academy co-creator Veronica Boutelle, one of the most accomplished and respected speakers and teachers in our industry, and author of the definitive book on modern professional dog walking: The Business of Dog Walking: How To Make a Living Doing What You Love.

Work with a local coach

Apply your online learning during a supportive one-on-one training walk with your Field Trip Coach—a carefully chosen, experienced and credentialed dog trainer who will guide you through a 60-90 minute hands-on experience with dogs.

Online DWA Class Details

Online Instruction

The Online DWA is comprised of 5 units covering 14 key topics. Tackle them at your own pace, pausing as needed, so long as you complete the course within 6 months. Instruction includes lecture, visuals, video, and interactive activities.

Q&A Call In

Bring your questions to optional group Q&A calls led by dogbiz Dog Walking Academy instructors.

Section Quizzes

Online quizzes test your understanding of each section. Passing a section quiz will advance you to the next course topic.

Walking Field Trip

Once you’ve successfully completed your online coursework we’ll assign you to your local Field Trip Coach for a guided, hands-on experience with dogs to test and apply your classroom learning.

What DWA grads say

“What a terrific way for people to learn to start a dog walking business or, like me, improve the one they already have. I’m proud to be a dogbiz grad!”

– Mandy Thompson, K9 Fife Dog Walking & Home Boarding, Fife, Scotland

“Such a well-rounded class, with information about the business aspect of the job as well as dog behavior and training. I gained an understanding of how to talk to potential clients and now feel prepared for so many situations.”

– Suzy Arrington, Ms. Manners for Dogs, Fairfield, NJ

Tuition

Online DWA Tuition

Includes copy of The Business of Dog Walking book

Dog Walking Package A

You get:

Dog Walking Academy tuition
Business Toolkit for Walkers & Sitters

You save: $100

U.S. $1,050 USD

Dog Walking Package B

For your classes:

Dog Walking Academy tuition
Business Toolkit for Walkers & Sitters
5 hours of Business Consulting

You save: $150

U.S. $1,600 USD

The typical full-time professional dog walker makes between $40K and $150K per year, depending on location, style of service, and size of business. We’d love to help you do the same.

Graduate Perks

dogbiz Certificate of Professional Dog Walking seal

Signal your professionalism to potential clients, referral sources, or employers. You receive an electronic seal for your website, a version for printed marketing materials, and (upon request) a paper certificate.

Access to our private Facebook page

Join our exclusive, active, supportive community of DWA graduates. Ask questions, offer answers, and keep in touch with fellow dog walking pros around the world. Our instructors hang out there, too.