Dog Handler Academy
Dog Handler Academy is an online training and certification platform that provides video-based curriculum, monthly memberships, and an annual summit to owners and staff of dog daycare, boarding, and training facilities across North America and Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersOnline/Digital, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Dog Handler Academy does
Dog Handler Academy is an online education and training provider serving the professional dog care industry. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the company delivers structured curriculum, certifications, and business resources to operators and staff of dog daycare, boarding, grooming, and training facilities, with secondary audiences in shelters and veterinary clinics across North America and Europe. Its core product is the Employee Training Monthly Membership Series (Courses 101–601), a video-based, subscription curriculum that covers dog behavior and handling, group play management, injury and illness response, safety, and business operations. The platform is delivered through an online portal featuring automated quizzes, progress tracking, certificate generation, and dashboards, with PACCC CEU Provider certification lending continuing-education credibility to credentialed pet care professionals.
The company monetizes through a layered mix: recurring monthly membership subscriptions, standalone courses priced between $119 and $499 (e.g., Dog Handler to Day Trainer, Puppy Training 101, Business Culture 101, Business Marketing 101, Guide for Building a New Dog Business), the ACE Program for custom corporate content, an Essentials Document Pack ($119), and an annual Business Leadership Summit with ticket prices ranging from $495 to $1,120. Distribution is supported by partnerships with industry associations (APDT, IBPSA, IACP, ODDs) and a sponsor network for the Summit that includes Live Oak Bank, Gingr, PocketSuite, and Kinn Inc. Dog Handler Academy is privately held and founder-owned (Eve Molzhon), operates with 11 employees, and has not disclosed any external funding.
Dog Handler Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dog Handler Academy
- Legal name
- Dog Handler Academy, LLC
- Website
- https://doghandleracademy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dog Handler Academy is an online training and certification platform that provides video-based curriculum, monthly memberships, and an annual summit to owners and staff of dog daycare, boarding, and training facilities across North America and Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dog Handler Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pet Care Staff Training
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pet Services (Grooming, Training, Daycare) (CRALAIAJ)
Keywords
Where Dog Handler Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Online/Digital
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Dog Handler Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Monthly Membership Subscriptions: Monthly subscription plans for dog daycare and boarding facilities providing access to employee training courses (Courses 101-601). Subscription tiers based on number of active users (employees). Paid monthly via credit card or PayPal.
- Dog Handler to Day Trainer Course: One-time purchase standalone course for training dog handlers to become day trainers. Includes facility admin access plus 1 employee license for $499.
- Puppy Training 101 Course: One-time purchase standalone course covering puppy training skills. Includes facility access plus 1 employee license for $499.
- Business Culture 101 Course: One-time purchase standalone course on business culture and human resources for dog daycare/boarding businesses. Approved for 2 PACCC CEU credits. $199 one-time purchase.
- Business Marketing 101 Course: One-time purchase standalone course on marketing for dog daycare/boarding businesses. Approved for 5 PACCC CEU credits. $199 one-time purchase.
- Guide for Building a New Dog Business: One-time purchase comprehensive guide for starting a dog daycare/boarding business. $499 one-time purchase.
- Essentials Document Pack: One-time purchase downloadable document package including customizable operations manual, employee handbook, emergency procedures, checklists, and floor plan examples. $119 one-time purchase.
- Business Leadership Summit Tickets: Annual in-person conference revenue including various ticket tiers: Summit Ticket ($495), Summit with Souvenirs ($570), VIP Pass ($745), VIP with Souvenirs ($820), Ultimate VIP Experience ($1,045), Ultimate VIP with Souvenirs ($1,120), and Companion Tickets ($398-648).
- Summit Souvenir Box: Additional purchase add-on for summit attendees including DHA Summit hooded sweatshirt, DHA tumbler, and bonus sponsor goodies. $75 add-on.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Employee Training Monthly Membership Series (Courses 101-601) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dog Handler to Day Trainer Standalone Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Puppy Training 101 Standalone Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Business Culture 101 Standalone Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Business Marketing 101 Standalone Course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Guide for Building a New Dog Business |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Essentials Document Pack |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Business Leadership Summit 2026 Ticket |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | 1-Week Free Trial |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels13 records
Dog Handler Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dog Handler Academy operates an online, video-based, fully automated staff training platform for dog daycare and boarding facilities, anchored by a monthly Employee Training Membership series (Courses 101-601) with automated quizzes, progress dashboards, and certificate generation. It also sells standalone courses (Dog Handler to Day Trainer, Puppy Training 101, Business Culture 101, Business Marketing 101, Creating Healthy Habits, Hitting Home Runs in Staff Management), custom content via the Advanced Custom Education (ACE) Program, downloadable resource packs, business guides, and an annual Business Leadership Summit.
Product overview
Dog Handler Academy is an online training platform for dog daycare and boarding facilities offering a core Employee Training Monthly Membership Series (Courses 101–601) that provides video-based staff training with automated quizzes and progress tracking. The platform also offers standalone courses including Dog Handler to Day Trainer, Puppy Training 101, Business Culture 101, and Business Marketing 101. Additional offerings include the Advanced Custom Education (ACE) Program for custom content, an Essentials Document Pack with customizable templates, a Guide for Building a New Dog Business, Dog School Business Starter Packages, and the annual Business Leadership Summit conference. PACCC continuing education credits are available across multiple courses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Employee Training Monthly Membership Series (Courses 101-601)
- Dog Handler to Day Trainer Course
- Puppy Training 101 Course
- Business Culture 101 Course
- Business Marketing 101 Course
- Creating Healthy Habits Course
Quantifiable outcome
- Training time reduced from months to less than a week
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Dog Handler Academy
Customer profileNamed customers23 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Dog Handler Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature6 records
Dog Handler Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- TWCminorSummit sponsor for the 2026 Business Leadership Summit in Chicago.
- Live Oak BankcoreFinancial services sponsor offering loans for pet care facility acquisitions, expansions, start-ups, and renovations. Speakers Claire Cronin and Jacqueline Pait presenting on financial planning and profitability at 2026 Summit.
- Dog Daycare Success AcademyminorSummit sponsor for the 2026 Business Leadership Summit.
- Next Tree StrategiescoreCo-presenter at 2026 Summit. Sean Felty presenting on building sustainable teams and staff management. Pet care consulting partner.
- WalkerScoutcoreRecruiting solution for pet care industry. Speaker Joe Latona presenting on recruiting strategies at 2026 Summit.
- Paragon Pet Grooming SchoolminorSummit sponsor. Speaker Cara Evans presenting on bath and brush business at 2026 Summit.
- Advertising SolutionsminorSummit sponsor for the 2026 Business Leadership Summit.
- GoosecorePet technology company. Speaker Drew Brinkoetter presenting on pricing trends at 2026 Summit.
- PocketSuiteminorSummit sponsor for the 2026 Business Leadership Summit.
- Kinn, Inc.coreSummit sponsor. Testimonial from Founder & CEO Alex McKinnon praising DHA Summit's approach to sponsor support.
- Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)minorIndustry membership organization offering special rates for members on DHA training programs.
- International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA)minorIndustry membership organization offering special rates for members on DHA training programs.
- International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)minorIndustry membership organization offering special rates for members on DHA training programs.
- Owners of Dog Daycares (ODDs)minorIndustry group offering special rates for members on DHA training programs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Dog Handler Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Animal Behavior College: Animal Behavior College offers online dog training, grooming, and veterinarian assistant certification programs. Like DHA, it monetizes pet care professional training through online courses and is a direct comparator in the pet-care education vertical.
- FetchFind: FetchFind provides online training and education programs for pet care professionals across dog walking, daycare, and grooming. It overlaps directly with DHA's target customer and curriculum.
- PetTech: PetTech delivers pet first aid, CPR, and care training programs to pet professionals and pet owners. It is a direct peer in monetizing specialized pet care training content through instructor-led and online certification.
Others
- Time To Pet: Time To Pet is a pet care business management and scheduling platform used by dog walkers, daycare, and boarding operators. It is an adjacent technology provider serving DHA's customer base.
- PocketSuite: PocketSuite is a client management and payments platform for independent service providers, including pet care businesses. It is a 2026 DHA Summit sponsor and an ecosystem partner rather than a direct training competitor.
- Gingr: Gingr is a leading pet daycare and boarding management software platform. It is a DHA partner/sponsor and an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct competitor, but shares the same end customers.
Broad incumbents
- International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA): IBPSA is an industry membership organization offering education, networking, and member discounts to pet care businesses. It is a broad incumbent and a DHA partner, serving a similar customer base.
- Pet Care Services Association (PCSA): PCSA (formerly ABKA) is the main U.S. trade association for pet care services, offering training, certification, and resources to boarding and daycare operators. It is a broader incumbent overlapping with DHA on continuing education and industry standards.
Emerging players
- Dog Daycare Success Academy: Dog Daycare Success Academy is mentioned as a 2026 Summit sponsor and offers education specifically for dog daycare owners. It is an emerging player in the same niche with significant content overlap.
- Pet Sitter's Academy: Pet Sitter's Academy delivers online certification and training programs for professional pet sitters. It serves an adjacent pet-care-services vertical with a comparable online course business model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dog Handler Academy social profiles
Digital presenceDog Handler Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Dog Handler Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dog Handler Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Dog Handler Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dog Handler Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dog Handler Academy
What does Dog Handler Academy do?
Dog Handler Academy operates an online, video-based, fully automated staff training platform for dog daycare and boarding facilities, anchored by a monthly Employee Training Membership series (Courses 101-601) with automated quizzes, progress dashboards, and certificate generation. It also sells standalone courses (Dog Handler to Day Trainer, Puppy Training 101, Business Culture 101, Business Marketing 101, Creating Healthy Habits, Hitting Home Runs in Staff Management), custom content via the Advanced Custom Education (ACE) Program, downloadable resource packs, business guides, and an annual Business Leadership Summit.
Is Dog Handler Academy a public or private company?
Dog Handler Academy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Dog Handler Academy founded?
Dog Handler Academy was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dog Handler Academy based?
Dog Handler Academy is headquartered in Online/Digital, United States, in the North America region.
How does Dog Handler Academy make money?
Nine revenue lines are on record. Monthly Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are dog Handler to Day Trainer Course, puppy Training 101 Course, business Culture 101 Course, business Marketing 101 Course, guide for Building a New Dog Business, essentials Document Pack, business Leadership Summit Tickets and summit Souvenir Box.
Who are Dog Handler Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Animal Behavior College, FetchFind and PetTech. Others are Time To Pet, PocketSuite and Gingr. Broad incumbents are International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA) and Pet Care Services Association (PCSA). Emerging players are Dog Daycare Success Academy and Pet Sitter's Academy.
Does Dog Handler Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dog Handler Academy.
What industry is Dog Handler Academy in?
Dog Handler Academy's product category is Pet Care Staff Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAIAJ, Pet Services (Grooming, Training, Daycare). Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.