From Spreadsheets to Dog Treats:

How a Niner Swapped Data for Dogs

Story by Suzanne Leger

Photography by Myra Solana and Zacch Estrada-Petersen

For Zacch Estrada-Petersen ’05, dogs were always a source of joy. But turning that love into a career? That was never the plan.

Yet here he is—running a thriving dog training business, proving that sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you never saw coming.

Man in blue hoodie leading the way for his brown dog. With a city high rise in the background.

An unlikely path to pet entrepreneurship

Estrada-Petersen’s journey started with something simple: wanting the best for his own dog. Working remotely, he worried about keeping his pup engaged and happy. That small concern led him to Rover, an app connecting pet owners with sitters.

What began as a way to help his own dog became something bigger. Through Rover, he built connections with fellow dog lovers — people who saw how much he genuinely cared.

One of those connections changed everything.

A business broker he met through Rover was selling a dog training company — but not just to anyone. They were looking for someone who truly cared about dogs, not just profits. Seeing the trust Estrada-Petersen had built, they recommended him for the opportunity.

Just like that, he went from pet sitter to business owner.

A business fueled by passion (and treats)

Despite his background in accounting and tech, stepping into dog training wasn’t just about running numbers. It was about building trust, connection and confidence — for dogs and their owners.

It’s about creating a bond, making sure both the dog and the owner feel secure and understood.”

Zacch Estrada-Petersen ’05

“I knew the basics — sit, stay, paw — but I quickly realized training is so much more,” he said. “It’s about creating a bond, making sure both the dog and the owner feel secure and understood.”

Now, as owner of The Dog Wizard, he focuses on both the business and the heart of what they do. His team of three trainers and an operations manager ensures every dog gets top-tier training, while he handles accounting, payroll, partnerships and strategy.

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Lessons from the pack: Always learning, always adapting

If there’s one thing Estrada-Petersen has learned from business and dogs, it’s to stay flexible.

“You can’t let strong months make you complacent or slow ones get you down,” he said. “You have to recognize what’s working, what’s not and pivot fast.”

With multiple locations — including Lake Norman, Concord and Gastonia — The Dog Wizard offers private lessons and immersive “board and train” programs. These 18- to 21-day sessions allow dogs to fully focus on training without owner visits, leading to lasting results.

By the time training is complete, both dogs and their humans leave feeling more confident, connected and ready to grow together.

The Niner Connection: From Campus to Community

Estrada-Petersen’s success isn’t just about dogs — it’s about people. And he credits UNC Charlotte for that knowledge.

His accounting degree from UNC Charlotte’s Belk College of Business gave him the necessary financial and operational foundation to run a company, while courses in communications and networking helped develop his relationship-building skills essential for growing a business. Today, he applies those lessons daily — whether managing payroll, developing partnerships or ensuring top-tier service at The Dog Wizard.

But his biggest lesson? Saying yes to opportunity.

“The best way to grow is to step outside your comfort zone,” he said. He did just that — majoring in accounting, minoring in communications and Spanish and even getting involved in the Music Department.

That broad experience provided the confidence to take risks, and his Niner network helped him grow. After posting about The Dog Wizard on LinkedIn, fellow UNC Charlotte alumni became some of his first clients. And after serving seven years on the UNC Charlotte Alumni Board, he remains deeply connected to the University and the local community.

Looking ahead: More wagging, more training

With The Dog Wizard approaching its one-year anniversary, Estrada-Petersen is thinking big. He wants to create more ways for dog owners to feel supported and empowered, starting with outdoor events where they can bring their dogs, meet trainers and learn together.

For anyone considering a career shift, his advice is simple: Lean into what you love, trust your strengths and build the right team.

“I don’t do sales, so I outsource it,” he said. “You can learn new skills, but the key is focusing on what you’re good at and surrounding yourself with people who can do the rest.”

At the end of the day, The Dog Wizard isn’t just about training dogs — it’s about creating connections, building trust and helping people and their pets live better lives together.

And for Estrada-Petersen, that’s the most rewarding part of the job.