

Become a Professional Dog Walker
Attend the Dog Walking Academy course online
You’re serious about a fun, profitable dog walking business. We’re serious about getting you there.
We’ve set the bar for professional dog walker training courses since we created the first ever course for dog walkers in 2004.
Attend the original online dog walking course from the comfort of your home.
You get
- On-demand expert dog walker training instruction
- 1:1 training field trip in your local area
- Professional dog walking certificate seal
- Answers to all your dog behavior questions
- Answers to all your business questions, too
- Course presentation materials
- The Business of Dog Walking training course book

Start a new career
Trade in your stressful, stale, or unsatisfying work for a living doing something you love—spending time with dogs.

Grow your business
Already walking? Learn a few new dog tricks, gain a marketing edge, solve pesky problems, and grow your business to new heights.

Get the best staff
Save training time, set your company apart, and get more from your dog walking, pet sitting, dog daycare, and boarding kennel staff.

Why attend the dogbiz Dog Walking Academy
Love what you do
Whether you’re just starting as a dog walker or have been walking dogs for a decade, we’ll help you get the most from every moment. Walk with confidence and ease, enjoy safe control of your dogs, and let go of your business worries.
Bypass business hassles & make more money
Learn how to sidestep and fix the common start-up, marketing, rate, and policy mistakes that keep dog walkers from making a strong, reliable living walking dogs. Why learn from your own mistakes if you don’t have to, or make less money than you could?
Solve perplexing dog problems
Ever wondered why dogs do what they do? Found yourself unable to get a dog to start or stop doing something? Struggled with a stressful behavior problem? You’ll leave class with answers and solutions to all your canine dilemmas.


Set yourself apart
Stand out to potential clients, referral sources, or employers by investing in the “Harvard” of dog walking schools. Your CPDW (Certificate in Professional Dog Walking) seal proclaims your professionalism and commitment to the best possible care of the dogs entrusted to you.
Maximize safety
From canine first aid/ CPR to emergency protocols and understanding how to avoid and break up dog fights, arm yourself with the understanding, skills, and confidence to handle anything that comes your way.
Be a pro
In an unregulated industry, anyone can be a dog walker. But to be a professional dog walker requires professional education and training. We’ve continued to set the bar for dog walking education since we launched the first class of its kind in 2004.

What our grads say

“This course has inspired me to breathe new life into something I’ve been doing for years, and take it to the next level. I absolutely recommend the DWA to experienced and inexperienced dog walkers.”
–Sara Munro
Santa Barbara, CA

“I was determined to follow my passion and work with dogs… but it wasn’t until the Dog Walking Academy that I felt confident to turn my passion in to a true endeavor.”
–Nick Carrel
San Francisco, CA

“The DWA was a life-altering experience for me. You provided me with more ‘ah-ha’ moments in those three days than a lifetime with dogs.”
– Glynis Dewing
Pacifica, CA

“There is so much to learn in this business, and your program covered everything! You gave me the knowledge and confidence to start my own dream business.”
–Jill Merjeski
Delray Beach, FL
Looking to start a dog walking business or elevate your current one?
Ready to take dog walking—and your confidence—to a new level?
Become a Professional Dog Walker.
California Bay Area dog walkers: Attend the Dog Walking Academy dog walker training course in person in San Francisco!