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Certificate in Dog Walking and Pet Sitting

Turn Your Passion for Pets Into a Profession: Master Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Across New Zealand

Turn your love for animals into a rewarding career with the online Certificate in Dog Walking & Pet Sitting. Gain expert skills to care for pets and build your own thriving business anywhere in New Zealand.

Start Date
Start Anytime
Duration
You can complete this course in approximately 50 hours, but you will have up to 12 months of access to complete it with self-paced learning.
Delivery

100% Online

Course Overview

Course Modules

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Career Outcomes

  • Dog Walker
  • Pet Sitter
  • Pet Care Business Owner
  • Mobile Pet Care Professional
  • Pet Care Operations Coordinator
  • Pet Transportation Specialist
  • Animal Care Assistant

While studying this course provides valuable skills and knowledge, it does not guarantee a specific career outcome. The career outcomes listed are intended as a general guide only.

What You'll Get

  • 24/7 access to your course through the online learning portal, allowing you to study when it suits your schedule.
  • Each comprehensive module contains written course notes, visual presentation slides and an immersive audio podcast via Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or other platforms - allowing you to choose which learning method you prefer. 
  • No strict assignment deadlines or exams. Each module concludes with a multiple-choice quiz to help reinforce your understanding of the course content and track your progress.
  • Upon course completion: 3 digital certificates of completion to add to your resume - Certificate in Livestock Management, Advanced Certificate in Livestock Management, and the Certificate in Livestock Management Business.
  • Access to exclusive discounts on other courses.
  • Receive a 7-day money back guarantee to ensure the course is right for you. 

What You'll Learn

  • Professional pet care foundations & dog behaviour
  • Safe and effective dog walking techniques
  • Pet sitting essentials: routines, medication & enrichment
  • Health, safety & emergency preparedness
  • Starting & running your pet care business
  • Professional client communication & relationships
  • Advanced handling: reactive, senior & special‑needs dogs
  • Growing your business: scheduling, hiring & scaling

Course Accreditations

CPD Accredited

This course is fully CPD accredited, which means each of the course modules is globally recognised for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Completing CPD-endorsed courses gives you CPD points that are recognised by employers and can be used in your resume, professional industry membership, or future career as a professional. Every student receives a digital badge of CPD points that is portable, sharable and verifiable for the study they have completed.

ICOES: A Global Seal of Online Education Excellence

Prac Skills' courses are proudly ICOES accredited. ICOES (International Council of Online Educational Standards) is a globally recognised accreditation body that sets and upholds rigorous quality standards for online education. By thoroughly reviewing course content, delivery, and measurable learning outcomes, ICOES ensures that accredited courses meet high standards of excellence, integrity, and innovation. This trusted seal of approval not only enhances institutional credibility but also assures learners of a superior educational experience.

About The Course

Turn Your Passion for Pets Into a Profession: Master Dog Walking & Pet Sitting Across New Zealand

  • Do you dream of earning income by caring for pets and exploring NZ neighbourhoods on foot?
  • Are you eager to learn professional dog walking and pet sitting techniques to ensure happy, safe animals?
  • Or are you a pet lover seeking flexible, rewarding work and business skills in New Zealand’s growing pet care industry?

Did you know? The New Zealand pet care market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of around 4.4% through 2030—driven by premiumisation and humanisation of services like dog walking and pet sitting. 

So, if you’re ready to build a rewarding career caring for animals and running your own service, enrol in the Certificate in Dog Walking & Pet Sitting, a fully online course designed to equip you with both the theoretical knowledge and hands‑on skills to excel as a professional pet care provider across New Zealand.

This course contains 8 key modules where you’ll learn:

  • Foundations of Professional Pet Care: Industry standards, ethics, dog body language, and handling skills.
  • Dog Walking Fundamentals: Leash techniques, safe route planning, group management, and seasonal adaptations.
  • Pet Sitting Essentials: Home visit protocols, feeding, medication, exercise, and enrichment routines.
  • Health, Safety & Emergency Preparedness: Pet first aid, illness recognition, emergency response, and biosecurity.
  • Building Your Pet Care Business: Business structure, registration, insurance, pricing, marketing, and financial management.
  • Professional Client Communication: Agreements, consultations, updates, feedback, and relationship building.
  • Advanced Dog Walking Techniques: Managing reactive, senior, and special‑needs dogs; off‑leash basics; mental stimulation.
  • Growing & Sustaining Your Business: Scheduling systems, record-keeping, hiring assistants, service expansion, and self‑care.

To enhance your learning experience, you’ll enjoy 24/7 access to the online portal with video lessons, PDF guides, interactive quizzes, and immersive podcasts. Letting you learn in the style that suits you.

Upon completion, you’ll receive a digital certificate to showcase your expertise.

Ready to turn your passion for pets into a professional adventure across New Zealand? Enquire now, and grab your free sample lesson.

Testimonials

"Loved the variety in content! A well-structured presentation, a detailed PDF, and an expert-led podcast made every module engaging and informative." - Lucia Hechem

"Interesting and informative. I liked how it combines text, audio and visual elements. A great course!" - Monique Gunther

"One of the most commendable aspects of the course was its ability to provide a deep insight. The material was designed not just to inform but also to spark interest in the subject, making learning both enjoyable and intellectually stimulating…" - Genesis Gul

"The course is exceptionally well-written, providing clear and concise information on every aspect... Even with five years of hands-on experience working with dogs, I’ve been amazed at how much I’m still learning." - Lisa Murray

ENQUIRE NOW