Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Dog walker/pet sitter education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a dog walker/pet sitter. Dog walker/pet sitters usually study psychology, medical assisting services, or business. 47% of dog walker/pet sitters hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 2,053 real dog walker/pet sitter resumes to see exactly what dog walker/pet sitter education sections show.
The most common colleges for dog walker/pet sitters are the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania.
There are also many online dog walker/pet sitter courses to help get the education required to be a dog walker/pet sitter.
What education do you need to become a dog walker/pet sitter?
What degree do you need to be a dog walker/pet sitter?
- Bachelor's, 47%
- Associate, 21%
- High School Diploma, 20%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 8%
What should I major in to become a dog walker/pet sitter?
- Psychology, 13%
- Business, 8%
- Criminal Justice, 7%
- Other Majors, 64%
Most common colleges for dog walker/pet sitters
| Dog walker/pet sitter common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Pennsylvania | 10.81% |
| Columbia College Chicago | 8.11% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 7.21% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | 7.21% |
| University of Massachusetts Boston | 6.31% |
Best majors for dog walker/pet sitters
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psychology | 13.1% |
| 2 | Medical Assisting Services | 8.5% |
| 3 | Business | 7.8% |
| 4 | Criminal Justice | 6.7% |
| 5 | Fine Arts | 6.3% |
Best colleges for dog walker/pet sitters
The best colleges for dog walker/pet sitters are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke University.
A dog walker/pet sitter 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 walker/pet sitters. 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 walker/pet sitters.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
6. Becker College
Worcester, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$39,200
Enrollment
1,725
7. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
9. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
10. University of California - San Diego
La Jolla, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,167
Enrollment
30,279
20 best online courses for dog walker/pet sitters
Advertising disclosure
1. Dog CPR, First Aid + Safety for pet pros + dedicated owners
Essential training to keep your dogs safe, attract clients & gain skills & confidence to take action in an emergency...
2. Animal Psychology/ Pets Behaviour - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
Learn about behaviour in dogs, dealing with cats, rabbit behaviour, cats and dogs psychology, aggression in dogs, pet...
3. Dog & Cat Behavior Problems
Learn the essential training techniques you'll need to raise a pet dog or cat and fix common behavior problems...
4. Animal & Pet Reiki Energy Healing Certification Course
Animal & Pet Reiki using energy healing is both easy to do and rewarding for all! Obtain certification upon completion!...
5. Pet First Aid (Advanced)
Learn essential knowledge and skills to be able to confidently carry out emergency first aid on a pet animal...
6. Punishment-Free Dog Training: 30 Day Perfect Dog Blueprint
Create a Calm and Confident Dog in 30 Days Using These Proprietary DOG TRAINING GAMES...
7. DOG BEHAVIOR & DOG TRAINING: Fix Problems & Animal Behavior
BAD DOG BEHAVIOR? ENROLL NOW! Dog Training, Animal Behavior, Puppy Training, Canine Behavior, Dogs, Puppies/Animals/Pets...
8. Dog Training - How to Work With Aggressive Dogs.
A start to finish view into the rehabilitation of four aggressive dogs...
9. Dog Training - Become A Dog Trainer - Dog Training Career
Turn dog training into an ideal career & become a professional dog trainer. Get the lifestyle you want & work with dogs...
10. Science-Based Dog Training (with Feeling) - All 3 Days
Learn effective and enjoyable dog training methods that are science-based and ready for real-world dog training...
11. Reliability and Games 2-Day Dog Training Workshop
Training games are great for motivating owners and dogs alike. Learn to harness games to achieve rock-solid reliability...
12. Natural Dog Nutrition & Wellbeing - Nature Knows Best!
Discover how to boost your dog's health, extend its life, prevent disease and keep its tail wagging for longer.....
13. Dr. Ian Dunbar's SIRIUS® Dog Trainer Academy - All 4 Days
Learn how to train dogs the SIRIUS® way! Learn how to run and promote your own dog-friendly dog training business...
14. From Puppy To Dog Training
The Complete Dog Obedience Training Course To A Fantastic Life With Your Dog...
15. How to Train a Puppy
Train your puppy the right way with Dr. Ian Dunbar. Includes 13 videos, 4 books, and 16 behavior blueprints...
16. Digital Pet Paintings Using Photoshop
Learn how to turn ordinary photographs of pets and animals into beautiful painted art pieces...
17. Crucial Concepts in Dog Behavior & Training
Learn cutting edge and common sense concepts that make dog training incredibly easy and effective...
18. Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior & Training Problems
Learn to address house soiling, chewing, barking, digging, separation anxiety, jumping up, pulling on leash and more...
19. Inside Your Dog's Mind with Victoria Stilwell
Understanding canine behavior and how dogs think, feel and learn to make dog training easier & more effective...
20. Treatment & Prevention of Dog Aggression: Biting & Fighting
Learn new concepts that can significantly accelerate the training of dogs with aggression and reactivity issues...
Top 10 most affordable universities for dog walker/pet sitters
The most affordable schools for dog walker/pet sitters are Hunter College of the City University of New York, california state university - long beach, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for dog walker/pet sitters 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 walker/pet sitters.
1. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
9. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Cost of attendance
24,514
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for dog walker/pet sitters
The hardest universities for dog walker/pet sitters to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke University.
Some great schools for dog walker/pet sitters 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 walker/pet sitters 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. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
4. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
5. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,465
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for dog walker/pet sitters
The easiest schools for dog walker/pet sitters to get into are Bluefield College, notre dame de namur university, and life university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a dog walker/pet sitter 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 walker/pet sitters.
1. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
4. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
5. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
8. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
9. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
10. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
Average dog walker/pet sitter salary by education level
| Dog walker/pet sitter education level | Dog walker/pet sitter salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $29,852 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $33,207 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $31,574 |
Dog walker/pet sitter education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common personal care and attendants questions.
Search for dog walker/pet sitter jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025