Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Course – CPD Certified

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Course – CPD Certified

Have you ever considered a career working with animals but not sure how?

Take the Pet sitting diploma and start your own business or work for someone part or full time in this wonderful profession looking after animals and dog walking.

Pet Sitters perform a wide range of functions for pet owners who may be on holiday or at work and need someone to look after their pets. Job duties include visiting the client’s home and feeding and walking pets during scheduled times. Pet sitters often complete a daily log of feeding times, animal behaviour and any other noteworthy happenings, such as failure to eat. In addition, pet sitters may be asked to stay overnight, or, as needed, to provide companionship and comfort for the pet. Depending on client needs and pet sitter experience, pet sitters may also provide additional services, such as bathing and grooming.

On average Pet sitters/Dog Walkers earn between £16-22K per annum once up and running – You will charge hourly between £7-15 however there are many factors contributing to the profit levels of a pet sitting business. Geographical location can have a major influence on profitability. For example, pet sitters who live in metropolitan areas may have a greater income potential than those in rural areas, simply because there are more potential clients.

** When purchasing this course you will be eligible to apply for the XO Student Discount Card!! You can save on brands such as New Look, Disney, ASOS, Hotels, Miss Selfridge , Domino’s and many more.**

Module 1

In this module you will learn why the pet sitting is popular, in addition you will be introduced to the basics of pet sitting and the course including:

• What pet sitting involves
• Health, safety, and animal welfare
• The importance of security
• The safest way to approach to any animal
• Plus much more..

Module 2

In this module you'll learn about the importance of safety, both your and the animals that you are caring for. You will learn:

• When you need a written health and safety policy in compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• How to protect yourself when you're on the job
• The risks involved in pet sitting and dog walking
• How to protect yourself from some serious health concerns you can be affected by through animal contact
• Plus much more…

Module 3

In this module you will discover exactly what your legal obligations are as well as other requirements for pet sitters. You will learn:

• The 5 Types of Zoonotic Diseases to be on the lookout for
• About the Animal Boarding Act and when you will need to have a licence
• Your legal obligation to protect client information
• About health and Safety at Work
• Plus much more...

Module 4

Dog walking will more than likely form the bulk of your income. This detailed module examines all aspects of dog walking including:

• Who your true target audience is for your dog walking service
• How to build your pack of dogs
• How to recognise the signs of dog aggression
• The different types of dog aggression
• Plus much more…

Module 5

The pre service visit is one of the most important meetings you will have with your potential client. In this module, you will learn:

• The purpose of the pre service visit
• How to prepare your pet information sheet
• About creating the right impression
• The documentation required
• Plus much more…

Module 6

Forms and record keeping will form an integral part of your pet sitting business. They will help keep things running smoothly and protect you from any issues that may occur . You will learn:

• The five forms to include in your client information pack
• How to use a client information pack to increase your profits
• How to store client information in compliance with the Data Protection Act
• An example statement to include on your veterinary release form to minimize your vet expenses (May be compulsory for your business insurance policy)
• Plus much more…

Module 7

This module covers the tasks that will form the core of your day to day pet sitting duties. In this module you will learn:

• The time you need to allocate for each dog walk
• The length of time you should leave between appointments
• The order in which to take care of each of the pets you’re responsible for
• Insurance vulnerabilities when you include additional services for clients when they are on holiday
• Plus much more…

Module 8

In this module you will find out what is required to safely transport around animals in your care. You will learn:

• The importance of securing animals during transport
• The safest transportation methods for dogs and cats
• Proper usage of crates for smaller animals
• The danger of cold temperatures to reptiles and how to aid their survival when necessary
• Plus much more…

Module 9

In this module you will discover how to correctly handle the different types of animals that you may encounter. You will learn:

• Why tight grasps negatively affect animal behaviour
• When you should and shouldn't handle animals
• A 3-step approach to minimizing stress in animals
• Animal handling precautions that gets the animal to come to you rather than you cornering the animal
• Plus much more…

Module 10

In this module you will learn everything necessary to ensure you can give a high standard of care when looking after cats & dogs. You will learn:

• The different breeds of dogs and cats
• Nourishment guidelines for feeding dogs and cats
• Precautions with vitamin supplements
• The different types of exercise to stimulate each pet in your care
• Plus much more…

Module 11

Fish are relatively easy to look after compared to some other domestic pets, however you will still require a deep understanding of them. You will learn:

• The three groups of fish, and examples of breeds within each group
• The temperatures to maintain for each type of fish
• The frequency to test water for nitrates
• The amount of water needing changed, when and how to change it
• Plus much more…

Module 12

Rodents may be seen as a pest, but when domesticated can be ideal pets. In this module you will learn:

• The best type of habitat to house rodents safely
• How often their cages need cleaned
• The safest type of bedding to provide
• The different breeds and types of rodents
• Plus much more…

Module 13

This module will guide you though the process of caring for rabbits and guinea pigs. In this module you will learn:

• The different breeds of rabbits and guinea pigs
• How to care for young and elderly rabbits and guinea pigs
• The nutrition requirements
• About their behavioural traits
• Plus much more…

Module 14

Reptiles are becoming an ever more popular pet choice in homes across the United Kingdom and there at some stage your work is bound to involve contact with them. in this module you will learn:

• Why you need to know about reptiles, lizards, snakes and turtles
• Dietary requirements and feeding guidelines
• The temperatures each type of reptile requires
• The behavioural traits of reptiles
• Plus much more…

Module 15

There are several different types of bird that you may be asked to care for. This module examines these types and how to best care for them. You will learn:

• How to approach birds for your first time with them
• The different types of birds you could be caring for
• The best types of bird cages that allow birds to exercise
• What you need to do when letting birds out their cage
• Plus much more…

Module 16

Knowing the ailments that pets may suffer from and understanding the symptoms will be vital in ensuring a high standard of care is given. In this module you will learn:

• What viruses pets need to be vaccinated against
• How to care for diabetic pets
• The symptoms of common illnesses
• The age kittens and pups should get their primary course of vaccinations
• Plus much more...

Module 17

Do you know what to do in the case of an emergency? The chances are you don't. This Module will guide you through the possible first aid scenarios you may encounter. You will learn:

• The essentials to have in your animal first aid kit
• How to stop bleeding from a minor cut
• The risks of choking and how to treat a choking animal
• What to do if a dog suffers from heat stroke
• Plus much more…

Modules 18-20

Running Your Own Business, Setting up a business, Marketing

It's all well and good knowing ho to look after the animals in your care, but if you don't know how to take care of your business you are destined to fail. In these modules you will learn:

• The length of time it could take for your business to receive its first payment
• A variety of ways to market your business effectively
• About Tailoring your services to meet the needs of groups of customers
• Plus much much more…

Modules 21-22

Pricing & Costs

This module investigates the different pricing methods that you should employ. You will learn:

• What you need to account for when pricing your services
• Pricing for small animals
• Pricing for dog walks
• Incorporating your business costs into your prices
• Plus much more…

The Pet Sitting Diploma is designed for anyone who wants to work as pet sitter or start their own business as a pet sitter or dog walker.

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

Testimonials

Hannah Dunn - London

I couldn't even put it down once I'd started

The pet sitting course has been an amazing help to me. I learnt a lot from the course and every module was interesting and full of information.

It's perfect for starting off your own business and even getting you into animal projects and jobs.

I'd recommend to anyone who loves animals and wants to succeed. It covers things I wouldn't even have thought of to be honest. I enjoyed it and finished the full course of twenty three modules within a week because I couldn't even put it down once I'd started reading. The quick tests helped at the end if each module too.

I look forward to completing many more courses with you shortly

Julie Roach – Redditch

Fantastic online course. Very informative, easy to follow sessions with a test facility at the end of each session. You can complete this at your own pace any time of day or night, without any pressure and there is even help if you need it with tutors online.

I would highly recommend New Skills Academy to anyone looking to gain a qualification but needs time to complete the course or cannot attend classes. I look forward to completing many more courses with you shortly. A great way of learning new skills, as the name of the company suggests with a recognised qualification.

Thank you New Skills.

Amanda Rolfe – Laurencekirk

I am happy I chose this course

I am so far really enjoying the course. Information is really well presented and tests a great recap to information covered. I also think the Notes tool is a good addition, however, the saving seems a little unstable so I have lost notes on a couple of the modules.

I figured that I needed to save prior to taking the test, but had selected a picture and as there was no close option, I clicked back and lost the notes I had taken. Apart from that, I am really enjoying the format and am finding the information easy to retain.

Our Course is fully compatible with PC’s, Mac’s, Laptop, Tablet and Smartphone devices. Now more than ever people are using the internet while on the move so our course has been designed to be fully compatible on tablets and smartphones so you can access your course on wifi, 3G or 4G.

There is no time limit for completing this course, it can be studied in your own time at your own pace.

All tests are online and are taken either during or after the course, these are included in the price.