Resources & Credentials
The credentials dog owners actually look for.
Owners pick the walker who feels safe and established. Insurance, pet first-aid, and a professional membership are the proof they scan for first. Earn them below — then turn each one on as a badge on your DogWalkr profile.
Insurance & bonding
The single biggest trust signal. It tells an owner you take the work seriously and they're covered if something goes wrong.
Pet Care Insurance
General + professional liability built for pet-care pros, with same-day coverage and an annual or monthly option.
Get covered →PSI member insurance
Discounted liability + bonding for Pet Sitters International members — covers walking, sitting, and visits.
See options →Pet Sitters Associates
Affordable liability coverage popular with independent walkers and sitters in the US.
Compare →Once your policy is active, switch on the Insured and Bonded badges in your DogWalkr profile so they show on your public booking page.
Pet first aid & CPR
Owners hand you their dog for an hour with no supervision. Knowing what to do in an emergency is exactly the reassurance they're looking for.
American Red Cross — Cat & Dog First Aid
A short online course covering vital signs, wounds, choking, and cardiac emergencies, plus a free reference app.
Take the course →ProPetHero
Veterinarian-led pet first-aid & CPR certification, available fully online and self-paced.
Get certified →Pet First Aid 4U
Vet-approved instruction online or live over Zoom, with a certificate you can show clients.
Enroll →Completed a course? Turn on the Pet First Aid / CPR badge in your profile.
Professional membership
Membership signals you treat this as a real business, not a side hustle — and unlocks insurance discounts, training, and a network.
Pet Sitters International (PSI)
The largest educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers — certification, insurance, and resources.
Join PSI →NAPPS
The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters — US membership, member directory, and continuing education.
Join NAPPS →Fear Free Certification
Learn to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in the dogs you handle. A strong differentiator for nervous or reactive dogs.
Get certified →Active member? Turn on the PSI Member or NAPPS Member badge.
Background checks & growing the business
A clean background check removes the last hesitation a new owner has. And once you're booked up, these help you run it like a real operation.
Run a background check
A self-requested check from a recognized provider lets you prove you're vetted — and switch on the Background Checked badge.
Learn more →Start & grow guide
PSI's primer on pricing, policies, and professionalism for new walking and sitting businesses.
Read the guide →Your rate calculator
Inside DogWalkr: work out what to charge per walk so you're priced like a pro, not the cheapest in the search.
Open in app →DogWalkr doesn't run background checks for you — but when you have one, you can display it. We only ever show badges you've earned.
Earn it once. Show it on every booking.
Every credential here becomes a badge on your DogWalkr profile and public booking page — the proof owners scan for before they book. Your clients, your reviews, your reputation. No commission, ever.