Dog Walking Academy
Student Reviews
Inspired to take it to the next level
“Each section of the program offered me specific and very useful information. Though I’ve studied learning theory via a couple of KPA programs, LLA with Dr. Susan Friedman, and Clicker Expo, I connected a few more dots during the section on learning theory. Thank you!! I loved the section on dog emotional signals. That is the best presentation on the subject I have had so far in my training. I’m leaving class with a number of things I’m going to do differently in the field and in my business. This course has inspired me to breathe new life into something I’ve been doing now for almost seven years, and to take it to the next level. Now I have very specific action items to implement in order to do that. I’m excited about it. I would absolutely recommend the DWA to experienced and inexperienced dog walkers. It was an excellent experience!” –Sara Munro
So thankful for the training and confidence
“Inspired by the dog walkers of Buenos Aires during a backpacking trip in 2013, I was determined to follow my passion and work with dogs. It was a circuitous route, but it wasn’t until I was introduced to the Dog Walking Academy, that I felt confident to turn my passion in to a true endeavor. I graduated from the DWA and I’m so thankful for the training and confidence I received. Today I launched my new website and am excited to start my journey! I am so grateful for what we have—the ability to make our livelihood working with such amazing animals, spending time outdoors, supported by a network of professionals committed to positive handling. Thank you!” –Nick Carrel
An amazing year
“Thank you! Last year was an amazing year for me closing 40% over my realistic target, and this year beat that by a further 10%! I’m thrilled and have DWA to thank. Professionalism, policies, incredible people & puppies; a winning combination!” – Elizabeth Libby Wilson
Can’t say enough
“I can’t say enough great things about your Dog Walking Academy. There is so much to learn in this business, and your program covered everything! Pat was the instructor in Colorado this past week, and she was so knowledgeable. I am very thankful that I attended your program. Thank you for this amazing opportunity.” –Jill Merjeski
WELL worth my time
“I just graduated from the DWA and I already have the Advanced DWA in my day-timer. dogbiz provides VERY high value trainings, that are WELL worth my time (I’ve attended 100’s of seminars for post-grad education & personal growth, so I know). Thank you, again!” –Barbara Pike-Armbrust
Using the knowledge daily
“Thank you! It was a true pleasure taking your class and, yes, I’ve already signed-up for the Advanced Academy! I’m really looking forward to it. You’ve put together a terrific program that is very helpful. I learned so much and am using that knowledge daily. One small thing that has proven to be tremendously helpful was your advice on how to hold multiple leashes. The ‘over the thumb’ trick is awesome and makes walking multiple dogs so much easier. After taking the class, I’m also much more aware of group dynamics, body language, and recognizing potential issues before they become a problem. And I’m outfitting my car to be as safe a ride as possible. Kudos to you, dogbiz! I hope the academy becomes a requirement for all dog walkers someday.” –Matt Williams
Using the knowledge daily
“Thank you! It was a true pleasure taking your class and, yes, I’ve already signed-up for the Advanced Academy! I’m really looking forward to it. You’ve put together a terrific program that is very helpful. I learned so much and am using that knowledge daily. One small thing that has proven to be tremendously helpful was your advice on how to hold multiple leashes. The ‘over the thumb’ trick is awesome and makes walking multiple dogs so much easier. After taking the class, I’m also much more aware of group dynamics, body language, and recognizing potential issues before they become a problem. And I’m outfitting my car to be as safe a ride as possible. Kudos to you, dogbiz! I hope the academy becomes a requirement for all dog walkers someday.” –Matt Williams
Impressed by the training, instructors, students
“Thank you for my spot in the Dog Walking Academy. I was impressed by the quality of the training, passion/knowledge of the instructors, and participants who were eager to learn. Many thanks to all of them.” –Seon Joo Kim
Couldn’t be happier
“My business is doing well and can’t wait to see where it goes now that I’m no longer doing real estate and focusing on it full time. I couldn’t be happier. Taking that first step to attend the dog walking academy put me on the path to where I am today.” –Kelly Fahey
I didn’t want to leave
“Karen, Tina, and I all are back in town and back to work after a sensational weekend in Texas for the DWA. I didn’t want to leave, but how else can we put all the great information to use? This was a carefully planned, well organized, and well executed course from start to finish. The venue, the curriculum, the materials, book, and the location were all first rate. –Layne Kizler
Fun, approachable, engaging
“Thank you! It has been an excellent, informative, and extremely useful and enjoyable process going through the dogbiz Dog Walking Academy and I am overwhelmingly grateful for your kind treatment and patience with me (and all of us) and making the whole thing really fun and approachable and engaging. I love what you guys are doing for the dogs that benefit from these practices and the priceless information and education you have passed on to me. A very BIG THANK YOU!!! –Sarah Michie
We only hire DWA grads
“We only hire Dog Walking Academy grads–the best candidates always come out of dogbiz!” – Stephanie Miller
Brilliant… worth every penny
“After graduating from the dogbiz Dog Walking Academy I changed a few key elements in my pet care business, specifically, I increased our rates, changed our walking group composition, and the location of our walks. This lead to improved client retention, dog safety and ultimately to enjoying my work more than I already did. Your class was brilliant …worth every penny.” –Paige Tuhey
An eye opener
“I was a relative novice to the dog walking business when I trained through the Dog Walking Academy, and it was an eye-opener. I went in expecting to learn about dogs and dog behavior, and I came out having learned about being a business person in a very specialized and competitive industry for my area.” –Todd Perlman
Invaluable to building our business
“The education, training, and business coaching we received through dogbiz has been invaluable and instrumental in the building of our dog walking business. dogbiz Dog Walking Academy and services gave us the tools and the support we needed to take a leap of faith into this amazing doggie dog world.” –Michelle Sanchez & Cynthia Evans
Feeling lighter and enjoying my work more
“I have really felt lighter and enjoyed my work days more since taking the DWA class! Thank you for your integrity throughout the four days. I highly appreciated the entire presentation and enjoyed myself so very much! Keep up your very necessary and important work. You are the cutting edge in our industry!” –Nancy Gabriel
Well worth traveling for
“I would like to say thank you so very much for putting on such an informational and engaging course. I learned so much during my three days with you and had a great time doing it. It was well worth traveling to attend!” –Jessie Lippman
On the edge of my seat
“I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The instructors are highly experienced, intelligent, and comedic women, so the lectures were extremely interesting, and we got lots of personalized attention, too. When I look back at how much I paid for this class I am truly shocked at what a great deal it was given how much I learned. This is definitely the place to go for dog education!” –Kristin Mahoney
All around awesome
“Thank you for three days of engaging, funny, and just an all around awesome program. I’ll be back for the advanced class once I get my feet wet.” –Gilbert Rodriguez
I learned so much
“Thanks so much! I’m super excited about and really honored to be one of dogbiz’ grads/family. I learned so much and it was such a joy learning from you.” –Susan Pak Eng
Highly recommend to ALL walkers
“Thank you so much! I took so much from your course and highly recommend it to ALL dog walkers!” –Natalie Batlin
Putting it into practice
“Thanks again. Your professionalism and wealth of knowledge is fantastic. I enjoyed the course very much and it has been wonderful putting the things I learned into practice with the pups.” –Kellie Bindel
Feeling prepared
“This was a very well-rounded class, with information about the business aspect of the job as well as dog behavior and training. The structure of the class kept things moving and interesting. I gained an understanding of how to talk to potential clients and now feel prepared for so many situations. This was a great experience for me.” –Suzy Arrington
Excited to move forward
“I just wanted to tell you again how thankful I am for the experience I had this weekend. I learned a great deal and it made me more confident and excited to move forward in the pursuit of a career working with dogs. I look forward to sharing stories of my future success with you.” –Ben Kruer
Taking a critical look
“Thanks again! The class made me take a critical look at how I work and can make improvements. I learned a lot, met some swell folks, and had a great time!” –Carmen Kuziemsky
Proud to be a DWA grad
“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 Dog Walking Academy grad!” –Mandy Thompson
Prepared to start my business
“Thank you so much for teaching us everything you did at the Dog Walking Academy! I am soooo happy I found dogbiz. I definitely feel very prepared to start my business now!” –Lisa Mendricks
“Superb, educational, fun, and informative. Thank you!” –Kath Lawson
“I enjoy walking dogs so much more since taking your course. Thanks again!” –Billie Jo Vinson
“The most comprehensive, to-the-point, hands-on, and fun training class I have ever taken.” –Valerie Schillaci-Levy
We’ve sent dozens of our staff
“I went through the DWA in 2005 and have since put dozens of my dog walking staff through it. I think in large part our great safety record is a result of the DWA’s excellent guidance.” –Molly Kenefick
Looking forward to watching my biz grow
“I’m so glad I attended the Dog Walking Academy. It has made me aware of so many behaviors I saw before but couldn’t identify. I look forward to watching my business grow. Thank you!” –Janet Bran
A life altering experience
“The DWA was a life altering experience for me. You provided me with more ‘a-ha’ moments in those three days than a lifetime of raising my family dogs. I thank you for the amazing coaching!” –Glynis Dewing
Smooth career change
“The Dog Walking Academy was so great. I had a lot of fun and learned so much critical information that will make this career change smoother for me. Thanks again.” –Jessica Thompson
Well worth the drive
“Thank you so much for the Dog Walking Academy! I hope to take more courses through dogbiz in the future. It was a great learning experience and well worth the drive.” –Sarah Perry
So happy with this profession
“Business is great and so am I!! I am so happy with this profession. Thanks for all of your help…couldn’t have done it without you!” –Michelle Ruth
Changed my relationship with dogs
“I got so much out of the course. It’s changed my whole relationship with walking dogs and even with my dog. I can’t thank you enough.” –Mathew Miller
What the experts say
“dogbiz pioneered professionalism in [the dog industry]. The results have been nothing short of a revolution for our industry. If you are planning to train or walk dogs for a living, and to help dogs to the best of your ability, working with dogbiz is a must.”
–Dr. Ian Dunbar, Founder of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers