Dog walker education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a dog walker. Dog walkers usually study psychology, business, or biology. 47% of dog walkers hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 3,594 real dog walker resumes to see exactly what dog walker education sections show.

The most common colleges for dog walkers are the New York University and the New York University.

There are also many online dog walker courses to help get the education required to be a dog walker.

There are certain dog walker certifications that you should consider. These dog walker certifications include Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) and Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT).

What education do you need to become a dog walker?

What degree do you need to be a dog walker?

The most common degree for dog walkers is bachelor's degree, with 47% of dog walkers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 26% and high school diploma degree at 17%.

Bachelor's, 47%

High School Diploma, 26%

Associate, 17%

Master's, 3%

Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a dog walker?

You should major in psychology to become a dog walker. 12% of dog walkers major in psychology. Other common majors for a dog walker include business and biology.

Psychology, 12%

Business, 10%

Biology, 8%

English, 6%

Other Majors, 64%

Most common colleges for dog walkers

Dog walkers often get their degrees at New York University, Columbia College Chicago, and San Francisco State University. Here are the most common colleges for dog walkers in the US based on their resumes.

Dog walker common college	Percentages
New York University	9.09%
Columbia College Chicago	9.09%
San Francisco State University	7.14%
University of California - Davis	6.49%
DePaul University	6.49%

Show more common dog walker colleges

Best majors for dog walkers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Psychology	12.3%
2	Business	9.6%
3	Biology	7.9%
4	English	6.1%
5	General Studies	6.0%

Show more common dog walker majors

Best colleges for dog walkers

The best colleges for dog walkers are University of Massachusetts Amherst, Otterbein University, and Rocky Mountain College.

A dog walker with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for dog walkers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become dog walkers.

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$15,887

Enrollment

23,202

2. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$9,080

Enrollment

30,795

3. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,108

Enrollment

1,350

4. Texas A&M University - Commerce

Commerce, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,748

Enrollment

8,201

5. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$9,414

Enrollment

11,182

6. Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$36,410

Enrollment

1,668

7. The University of Findlay

Findlay, OH • Private

In-state tuition

$34,360

Enrollment

2,533

8. West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$7,935

Enrollment

7,368

9. Post University

Waterbury, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$16,610

Enrollment

9,017

10. Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$11,707

Enrollment

24,210

20 best online courses for dog walkers

Advertising disclosure

1. Dog CPR, First Aid + Safety for pet pros + dedicated owners

4.8

(4,958)

Essential training to keep your dogs safe, attract clients & gain skills & confidence to take action in an emergency...

2. Dog Training - Become A Dog Trainer - Dog Training Career

4.5

(900)

Turn dog training into an ideal career & become a professional dog trainer. Get the lifestyle you want & work with dogs...

3. Punishment-Free Dog Training: 30 Day Perfect Dog Blueprint

4.7

(1,252)

Create a Calm and Confident Dog in 30 Days Using These Proprietary DOG TRAINING GAMES...

4. DOG BEHAVIOR & DOG TRAINING: Fix Problems & Animal Behavior

4.1

(284)

BAD DOG BEHAVIOR? ENROLL NOW! Dog Training, Animal Behavior, Puppy Training, Canine Behavior, Dogs, Puppies/Animals/Pets...

5. Science-Based Dog Training (with Feeling) - All 3 Days

4.4

(1,478)

Learn effective and enjoyable dog training methods that are science-based and ready for real-world dog training...

6. Dog Training - How to Work With Aggressive Dogs.

4.3

(498)

A start to finish view into the rehabilitation of four aggressive dogs...

7. From Puppy To Dog Training

4.6

(306)

The Complete Dog Obedience Training Course To A Fantastic Life With Your Dog...

8. Dog & Cat Behavior Problems

4.8

(288)

Learn the essential training techniques you'll need to raise a pet dog or cat and fix common behavior problems...

9. Natural Dog Nutrition & Wellbeing - Nature Knows Best!

4.4

(529)

Discover how to boost your dog's health, extend its life, prevent disease and keep its tail wagging for longer.....

10. Reliability and Games 2-Day Dog Training Workshop

4.4

(1,007)

Training games are great for motivating owners and dogs alike. Learn to harness games to achieve rock-solid reliability...

11. Dr. Ian Dunbar's SIRIUS® Dog Trainer Academy - All 4 Days

4.8

(2,136)

Learn how to train dogs the SIRIUS® way! Learn how to run and promote your own dog-friendly dog training business...

12. Animal Psychology/ Pets Behaviour - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE

4.5

(924)

Learn about behaviour in dogs, dealing with cats, rabbit behaviour, cats and dogs psychology, aggression in dogs, pet...

13. Crucial Concepts in Dog Behavior & Training

4.5

(1,264)

Learn cutting edge and common sense concepts that make dog training incredibly easy and effective...

14. Inside Your Dog's Mind with Victoria Stilwell

4.8

(2,530)

Understanding canine behavior and how dogs think, feel and learn to make dog training easier & more effective...

15. Treatment & Prevention of Dog Aggression: Biting & Fighting

4.7

(1,122)

Learn new concepts that can significantly accelerate the training of dogs with aggression and reactivity issues...

16. Growl Class - A Workshop Demo for Reactive Dogs

4.5

(2,939)

Dr. Ian Dunbar demonstrates how to use a group class setting to deal with dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs...

17. Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior & Training Problems

4.6

(3,462)

Learn to address house soiling, chewing, barking, digging, separation anxiety, jumping up, pulling on leash and more...

18. Animal & Pet Reiki Energy Healing Certification Course

4.8

(1,680)

Animal & Pet Reiki using energy healing is both easy to do and rewarding for all! Obtain certification upon completion!...

19. Animal Communication - Intermediate

4.9

(1,082)

Intermediate level telepathic animal communication made easy...

20. Pet First Aid (Advanced)

4.5

(655)

Learn essential knowledge and skills to be able to confidently carry out emergency first aid on a pet animal...

Top 10 most affordable universities for dog walkers

The most affordable schools for dog walkers are Post University, texas a&m; university - commerce, and vermont technical college.

If the best universities for dog walkers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for dog walkers.

1. Post University

Waterbury, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$16,610

Cost of attendance

28,866

2. Texas A&M University - Commerce

Commerce, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$8,748

Cost of attendance

21,180

3. Vermont Technical College

Randolph, VT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,108

Cost of attendance

26,669

4. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$9,414

Cost of attendance

20,733

5. West Texas A&M University

Canyon, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$7,935

Cost of attendance

20,269

6. SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Morrisville

Morrisville, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,670

Cost of attendance

25,661

7. Rocky Mountain College

Billings, MT • Private

In-state tuition

$28,572

Cost of attendance

38,639

8. The University of Montana - Western

Dillon, MT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,717

Cost of attendance

17,665

9. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$9,080

Cost of attendance

23,157

10. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$15,887

Cost of attendance

30,013

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for dog walkers

The hardest universities for dog walkers to get into are University of Massachusetts Amherst, Otterbein University, and Rocky Mountain College.

Some great schools for dog walkers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for dog walkers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA • Private

Admissions rate

60%

SAT average

1,302

2. Otterbein University

Westerville, OH • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,191

3. Rocky Mountain College

Billings, MT • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,119

4. Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,146

5. Savannah College of Art and Design

Savannah, GA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,157

6. Delaware Valley University

Doylestown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,080

7. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,170

8. Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,175

9. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

10. Midway University

Midway, KY • Private

Admissions rate

61%

SAT average

1,081

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for dog walkers

The easiest schools for dog walkers to get into are Centenary University, suny college of agriculture & technology at morrisville, and averett university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a dog walker without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for dog walkers.

1. Centenary University

Hackettstown, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

67%

SAT average

987

2. SUNY College of Agriculture & Technology at Morrisville

Morrisville, NY • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

955

3. Averett University

Danville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

61%

SAT average

953

4. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Saint Mary of the Woods, IN • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,027

5. Saint Francis University

Loretto, PA • Private

Admissions rate

75%

SAT average

1,146

6. St. Andrews University

Laurinburg, NC • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

987

7. Otterbein University

Westerville, OH • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,191

8. North Dakota State University

Fargo, ND • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,170

9. Wilson College

Chambersburg, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,054

10. Wilmington College

Wilmington, OH • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,060

Average dog walker salary by education level

Dog walkers with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $33,060 annually. With a Associate degree, dog walkers earn a median annual income of $31,547 compared to $29,945 for dog walkers with an High School Diploma degree.

Dog walker education level	Dog walker salary
High School Diploma or Less	$29,945
Bachelor's Degree	$33,060
Some College/ Associate Degree	$31,547

Dog walker education FAQs

What is the best college for Dog Walkers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common personal care and attendants questions.

Search for dog walker jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse personal care and attendants jobs