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MDWA Membership

The MDWA commits to promote and support MDWA Members In order to raise the profile of the very best professional dog walkers in the UK.

Through education, membership and the MDWA ‘Find A Dog Walker’ directory we help owners as they look to select the very best professional to take care of their dog.

Access to an offer of MDWA membership is gained by successfully completing the Professional Dog Walking Certification.
 
For dog walkers, some of the many benefits MDWA Membership include:
  • A full-page business listing on the MDWA website ‘Find A Dog Walker’ directory which is utilised not only by dog owners, but also by other pet professionals such as Vets and Vet Nurses when searching for qualified dog walkers to recommend.
  • Free access to the exclusive MDWA annual 3-hour educational Continual Professional Development (CPD) event webinar. (see below)
  • Use of the licensed electronic MDWA Membership badge and logo stamp for all promotional materials including website, socials and vehicle.
  • 15% discount on ALL IMDT courses
  • MDWA discounts from many providers of useful products including insurance, leads, toys, dog food.
  • A major benefit to MDWA members is free access to the many professional templates provided by MDWA for you to edit and utilise within your own business. In addition to Best Practice Guidelines, you will receive professional templates for:
    • Risk Assessment
    • Key Holder Form
    • New Client Form
    • DBS Check information
    • Administration of Medications Permission
    • Dog Walk Log Book
    • and more…
We are proud that all MDWA Members not only agree to adhere to the MDWA Professional Code of Conduct, but also commit to constantly improving both individual and industry standards. Part of that commitment is that all MDWA Members complete the obligatory Continual Professional Development (CPD) education provided each year by the MDWA and the good news is that this comes free with MDWA Membership
 
The MDWA CPD is an annual 3 hour webinar which is presented remotely via Zoom. MDWA members are welcome to attend live as the event takes place, or can receive a recording to enjoy at a time that suits.

As part of our passion to improve and maintain the highest standards for professional dog walkers, the MDWA commit to providing the most up to date CPD for Members each year, and the best news, is that the CPD event is free to all MDWA Members as part of their annual membership
 
The next CPD webinar event for MDWA Members is on Sunday 18th January 2026, 2pm to 5pm.

Mandatory CPD details below:

Professional Dog Walking Certification
MORE INFO

Modern Dog Walking Association (MDWA) – mandatory CPD 2025/26

To maintain and drive forward the MDWA Members knowledge base with regard to the intricacies and responsibilities of being a professional dog walker, all MDWA Members receive free access to the obligatory CPD event which is a positive benefit of your membership and a symbol of your commitment to ongoing development and experience as a professional in this field.
The required CPD is presented by Dave Brice of MDWA and is a three hour on-line seminar. The proposed content for this year is as follows:
Regulations and Government Guidance: Updates and discussion of any new or recently implemented regulations or rules that will affect your business and practices as professional dog walker.
Monitoring behaviour:
  • What to look for when monitoring the behaviour of dogs within your care
  • What to do when behaviour changes are noticed
Exercise and enrichment:
  • Deciding on and implementing suitable exercise levels within the walking group
  • Implementing suitable types and levels of environmental enrichment on walks.
  • Implementing suitable types and levels of environmental enrichment within client’s homes
Avoiding conflict on walks between:
  • ‘Your’ dogs and others
  • ‘Your’ dogs and people
  • ‘Your’ dogs and other animals, including livestock and wildlife
Emergencies; planning and procedures:
  • Documentation
  • Necessary emergency procedures
  • What to plan for:
    • Arrival at the dog’s home
    • Arrival at the walking site
    • When walking the dogs
    • When transporting the dogs
Stress, anxiety and over-arousal:
  • How and why these occur
  • Effects on the dog’s brain and behaviour
  • Potential effects on your behaviour and the other dogs in the group
  • Effects of environment and context
  • What you can do to help
Completed your DW course & passed the assessment but not yet a member?
Claim Your Membership Here
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