dog

What dog does

Dogs of Course is a private dog training education company founded in 1999 by Dana C. Crevling and headquartered in the United States. The company specializes in K9 Nose Work training methodology developed in association with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW), offering all-inclusive sleepover training camps at three partner venues — Camp Friendship in Palmyra, Virginia; YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado; and Camp Chen-A-Wanda in Thompson, Pennsylvania — alongside virtual webinar content, single-day seminars, and a long-running Instructor Training Course established in 1999. Camps accommodate working, elite, and auditor spots with prices ranging from $600 to $2,450 depending on spot type and early-bird status, and provide continuing education credits through NACSW, CCPDT, and KPA-CTP.

The business model is event-driven and transaction-based: revenue is generated primarily through per-registration camp fees, seminar tickets, and webinar recordings distributed via Vimeo, with secondary income from on-site merchandise and raffles that fund partnered animal-welfare charities (over $463,755 in charitable donations facilitated through 2023). Distribution relies on the company website, email newsletter, organic social media (Twitter, Facebook), and referral relationships with professional bodies including APDT, IAABC, and CCPDT. Customer segments include individual dog/handler hobbyists competing in K9 Nose Work, professional dog trainers pursuing CEUs and certification, and shelter/rescue organizations using nose work for shelter-dog enrichment.

Operationally, Dogs of Course is a small founder-led business run by Dana C. Crevling with a small staff including Michele Ruest (Operations) and contracted Certified Nose Work Instructors. The company has no external funding, no parent entity, and no public revenue disclosure; it has hosted 45-48+ K9 Nose Work camps since launching the format in 2010 alongside NACSW and continues to expand its footprint through both physical venue rotation and its newly introduced virtual webinar catalog.

Name

dog

Legal name

Dogs of Course

Website

https://dogsofcourse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Dogs of Course, founded in 1999, is a private dog training education company offering K9 Nose Work sleepover camps, instructor training courses, and webinars in partnership with NACSW, serving dog sports enthusiasts, professional trainers, and animal welfare organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Camps: Multi-day K9 Nose Work training camps at various locations (Colorado, Virginia, Pennsylvania) with working spots, elite spots, auditor spots, and helper positions. Prices range from $600-$2,450+ depending on spot type and early bird status.
2. Seminars and Webinars: Educational events including virtual nose work camps with downloadable webinar recordings. One-day seminars and multi-day conferences for dog training professionals and enthusiasts.
3. Instructor Education: Professional instructor training courses and continuing education credits for certified dog trainers. CEUs offered through NACSW, CCPDT, and KPA-CTP.
4. Fundraising and Charity Events: Raffles and auctions at events supporting various animal welfare charities and causes. Facilitated over $463,755 in charitable donations through 2023.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Dogs of Course operates multi-day in-person K9 Nose Work training camps (sleepover camps) at locations across the United States (Colorado, Virginia, Pennsylvania), instructor training courses established in 1999, single- and multi-day dog training seminars, and virtual nose work webinars distributed through Vimeo. The company specializes in K9 Nose Work training methodology developed in association with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW) and serves dog/handler teams, professional dog trainers, and shelter/rescue personnel.

Product overview

Dogs of Course is a dog training education company offering a comprehensive suite of in-person and virtual educational products. The core offerings include Instructor Training Courses (professional certification for dog trainers established in 1999), Nose Work Camps (all-inclusive sleepover training camps at various US locations including Colorado, Virginia, and Pennsylvania), Educational Events (seminars and workshops of varying durations), and Virtual Nose Work Camp (webinar recordings for remote learning). The company, owned and operated by Dana C. Crevling since 1999, specializes in K9 Nose Work training methodology developed in association with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K9 Nose Work Training Camp – Camp Friendship, VA Sleepover K9 Nose Work training camp at Camp Friendship in Palmyra, Virginia (520 acres at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains). Three and a half days of hands-on scent work instruction covering foundation through advanced skills, exteriors, interiors, containers, and vehicle searches. Open to dog/handler teams and auditors.
• K9 Nose Work Training Camp – YMCA of the Rockies, CO Five-day K9 Nose Work training camp at YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado, with climate-controlled lodging, dining facilities, and extensive search areas. Provides CEUs through NACSW, CCPDT, and KPA-CTP.
• K9 Nose Work Training Camp – Camp Chen-A-Wanda, PA Three and a half day K9 Nose Work training camp at Camp Chen-A-Wanda in Thompson, Pennsylvania, featuring large search areas and skilled instruction from experienced staff.
• Instructor Training Course Professional dog training instructor education program started in 1999 that has trained hundreds of dog training instructors over 18 years, originally offered in shelter environments. Designed for aspiring and current professional dog trainers.
• Virtual Nose Work Camp Online webinar recordings of nose work camp content, with twelve 75-minute sessions available for purchase and download through Vimeo for a limited time period (e.g., through March 18, 2026 for the Winter 2026 camp).
• Dog Training Seminars and Educational Events Single-day and multi-day seminars and workshops led by industry experts covering dog training, behavior, and nose work techniques, offered since 1999 for dog training professionals, shelter/rescue volunteers and staff, and dog sports enthusiasts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $463,755 in charitable donations facilitated through 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal collaboration to create K9 Nose Work Training Camps. Dogs of Course works directly with NACSW founders to develop curriculum and instructor certification programs. Camps provide official continuing education credits for Certified Nose Work Instructors (CNWIs).
• YMCA of the Rockies - Snow Mountain RanchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Colorado K9 Nose Work Training Camps. Provides climate-controlled lodging, dining facilities, and extensive search areas across 5,000-acre property.
• Camp FriendshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-run camp since 1950s, host venue for Virginia K9 Nose Work Training Camps on 520 acres at foothills of Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Camp Chen-A-WandacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's camp venue for Pennsylvania K9 Nose Work Training Camps with large search areas in Thompson, PA.
• Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional organization membership for dog trainers. Listed as resource link for professional development and education.
• Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndependent certifying organization for dog trainers. Provides continuing education credits for Dogs of Course events.
• International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional organization promoting ethical animal behavior consulting through LIMA practices. Listed as resource for members.
• dog*bizminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness support services for dog professionals. Resource link for business development support.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fenzi Dog Sports Academy: Online dog sports education platform offering instructor-led courses across multiple dog sports (including nose work, agility, obedience). Closest comparable to Dogs of Course in combining professional and enthusiast dog training education with an instructor-focused curriculum.
• Karen Pryor Academy: Premier dog training professional education and certification program offering clicker-based training courses and continuing education. Directly comparable as a professional dog trainer certification pathway serving the same instructor customer segment.
• Clean Run: Dog agility training magazine, video, and event company that previously co-produced camps and conferences with Dogs of Course's founder. Strong comparable on the agility-focused side of the dog sports training market.
• Animal Behavior College: Online dog training certification and education programs for aspiring professional dog trainers. Comparable as a vocational pathway serving the same professional dog trainer customer base with structured curriculum and certification.
• The Academy of Pet Careers: Online pet care and dog training professional certification programs offering structured coursework for aspiring trainers. Comparable in serving the professional development needs of dog trainers through curriculum-based education.
• CATCH Canine Trainers Academy: Online dog training certification and mentorship academy offering instructor training programs. Directly comparable as a curriculum-based professional dog trainer education provider with similar target customer.
• Zoom Room Dog Training: National franchise of indoor dog training facilities offering group classes, private lessons, and social events. Comparable in providing in-person dog training education and event-based community experiences, but with a physical retail model.

Regional players

• St. Hubert's Dog Training School: Regional dog training school in New Jersey offering group classes and professional training programs. Comparable as a multi-decade dog training education provider but with a narrower geographic footprint in the Northeast.

Broad incumbents

• PetSmart Dog Training: Mass-market dog training services offered through PetSmart retail locations nationwide. Broad incumbent serving mass-market pet owners rather than the dedicated enthusiast/professional segment Dogs of Course targets.
• Petco Dog Training: Mass-market dog training services offered through Petco retail locations. Broad incumbent with a wider portfolio of services, providing overlapping but mass-market-positioned training alternatives to Dogs of Course's premium niche offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dogsofcourse
• Facebookfacebook.com/173709245981052
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dogs-of-course

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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