DSA Mission and Vision: To improve the lives of dogs, their owners, and society through humane education, positive training, and community involvement.
We’re similar to Boy and Girl Scouts except we earn our scout badges with our dogs. Dog Scouts of America is all about dogs learning good manners and good behaviors. We have social play get-togethers, dog walks and hikes.
We encourage people to help their dogs be all they can be, and in the process we all have a lot of fun.
We have 3 troop locations to choose from:
SF Peninsula Troop (Burlingame)
SF Bay Area Troop #198 (Milpitas)
Morgan Hill Troop #233 (Morgan Hill)
Founded in 1995, Dog Scouts of America is a national organization that brings together dogs and their people for fun, learning, and community service. The program is built around positive reinforcement training methods and the belief that every dog has talents waiting to be discovered. There is a place for them in Dog Scouts, catering to dogs that is a natural athlete, a gentle therapy companion, as well as those that prefer a curious explorer.
Troops typically meet monthly for activities that expose dogs and handlers to new skills and challenges. The cornerstone of the program is the badge system, with over 80 merit badges available for dogs to earn. Before working toward specialty badges, each dog must first earn the foundational Dog Scout Badge, which covers basic obedience, social manners, and handler responsibility. From there, the possibilities are wide open. Specialty badges include areas like agility, scent work, urban herding (Treibball), water safety, backpacking, community service, and even letter carrier awareness.
Meetings and events are a wonderful way for dogs to socialize in a structured, supervised environment, and for owners to connect with fellow dog enthusiasts who share a passion for positive training. Many troops also participate in community outreach, therapy dog visits, and educational demonstrations that showcase the strong bond between dogs and their handlers.
Dog Scouts of America offers something for every dog and owner team, accommodating everything from a high-energy breed looking for a productive outlet to a mellow companion who enjoys gentle activities. Joining a local troop is a great way to strengthen your relationship with your dog, meet like-minded friends, and have a blast earning badges together. Visit the Dog Scouts of America website or their Meetup page for upcoming events and meeting schedules in the Bay Area.
