Training classes & certification for dog walkers. Start a dog walking business

everything a professional dog business needs...

Business Tools for Dog Care Professionals

Dog Walking Academy

Read the winning
Dog Walking Academy Essay Contest entry.

what is it?

An intensive 4-day workshop leading to professional dog walking certification.

Graduates come away fully equipped to start a dog walking business—or advance an existing one.

Is it for you? Read our article Dog Walking For A Living.

why sign up?
To succeed. Build or maintain a thriving business while increasing your safety and enjoyment with the dogs.

To build expertise. Expand your knowledge of canine behavior and learn new pack management techniques, leash handling skills, and fight protocols.

To wow your clients. Learn how to market yourself and promote professionalism in the industry.

To streamline your business. You’ll come away with the A-Z in running and marketing a dog walking business.

when & where?

	Th & F evening plus all day Sat & Sun
	San Francisco: 1/28-31; 4/15-18; 10/28-31; 11/4-7
	Seattle: 5/27-30; 11/4-7 NEW DATE
	New Hampshire: 6/3-6; 9/23-26
	D.C.: 3/4-7; 11/11-14
	New York: 9/2-5 NEW DATE & LOCATION
	Workshop limited to 16 students

See photos from a recent Dog Walking Academy on Flickr.

the curriculum

The course is taught through lecture, video analysis, demos, hands-on exercises, and fieldtrips.

what the grads say

“Veronica is a wonderful teacher—both about dog behavior and about how to run a dog-related business. I went through the Dog Walking Academy in 2005 and have since put eight of my dog walkers through it. I often use and reflect upon what I learned—I think in large part our great safety record is a result of her excellent guidance.” –Molly Kenefick

"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

“Extremely educational! I came out of the class much more aware and prepared for my new career.” –Jessica Chase

“Superb, educational, fun, and informative. Thank you!” –Kath Lawson

“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

“The Dog Walking Academy was a great experience. 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 certified dog walker!” –Mandy Thompson

"I enjoy walking dogs so much more since taking your course. Thanks again!" -Billie Jo Vinson

"I am very proud to be a dogTEC DWA grad. It was the most comprehensive, to the point, hands on, and fun training class I have ever taken. I will proudly display my CDW credentials on all my materials." –Valerie Schillaci-Levy

"Thank you so much for teaching us everything you did at the Dog Walking Academy! I am soooo happy I found dogTEC. I definitely feel very prepared to start my business now!!" –Lisa Mendricks

"I am so glad that I attended the Dog Walking Academy. It has made me aware of so many behaviors that I saw before but could not identify. It’s so much fun to be able to understand the behaviors I see each day. I look forward to watching my business grow. Thank you!" –Janet Bran

"Thank you so much for the Dog Walking Academy! I hope to take more courses through dogTEC in the future. It was a great learning experience and well worth the drive." –Sarah Perry

What You Get

	Professional dog walking certification
	First Aid certification
	Certification seals for your marketing materials and web site
	19 CPDT CEUs
	Continental breakfast on the weekend and afternoon power snacks

Who's Teaching?

San Francisco
Kim Moeller is a former San Francisco SPCA dog-dog socialization and rehabilitation expert. In 2002, she was awarded an honorary certificate in dog-dog aggression by Jean Donaldson. Kim has been a professional dog trainer and walker for 10+ years. She has written articles for various publications and given lectures on leash reactivity and dog park etiquette.

Veronica Boutelle is the industry’s leading business consultant. Founder of dogTEC, author of How To Run A Dog Business, and former Director of Behavior & Training for the San Francisco SPCA, Veronica began her career with dogs as a dog walker.

New York, NH, and D.C.
Denise Mazzola served for 10 years as the Head Trainer and Director of Business for the Monadnock Canine Academy, where she designed and taught at six day program for beginning dog trainers. She holds multiple training credentials including the CPDT, CAP Level 2, Rally Obedience Level 3, and a CDX. Denise now runs a successful boarding, day care, and training business.

Seattle
Andrea Stone, CCS, CDW
Working with and training dogs since 1993 has given Andrea, a valedictorian graduate of the Canine Studies Program, a wealth of hands-on knowledge, knowledge she has a gift for sharing. Her work has ranged from professional dog walking to private training to designing and teaching unique, positive-based conformation classes. As co-owner of the University Canine Learning Academy Andrea now shares her experience through the dogTEC Dog Walking Academy.

Linda McVay, CCS CDW
Linda boasts 20 years’ experience working professionally with dogs, beginning as a professional dog walker and then becoming a trainer. A graduate of the Canine Studies Program, Linda managed a previous dog training studio before opening her own, ULCA Dogs, with Andrea Stone. Linda develops and teaches training classes, writes award-winning articles on dog behavior, and is now turning her tremendous teaching skills to supporting professional dog walkers.