dog sitting in front of book
Personal & Business

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Diploma Training Course

Duration15 hours
LevelProfessional development
AccessLearn online at your own pace
Course content16 modules
One-time payment Get complete course access

Original price was: £119.00.Current price is: £35.00. inc VAT

Save£84.00
  • Instant online access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Secure checkout
About this course

What the Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Diploma covers

Everything in Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Diploma is delivered online and on demand - no classroom, no cohort, no waiting list. The material comes as 16 modules and takes about 15 hours end to end. Nothing expires part way through, so an interrupted evening costs you nothing.

The material takes in Pet Sitting Diploma Introduction, Safety (Yours & Animals), Legal & Requirements and Dog Walking. 12 more modules follow those, all named on the Modules tab.

It is open to anyone, and written for people who have to use the subject rather than be examined on it. We list 42 Personal Development courses, of which 37 sit at Professional development. Its study time is about mid-range for the subject. It carries CPD accreditation, which is what makes the hours usable on a CPD log, and the certificate downloads straight away.

Buyer guide

Is this the right course for you?

Best fit

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Diploma is a sensible shortlist choice when you want a structured route through the published syllabus rather than a general overview of the whole subject. Its 16-module plan starts with Pet Sitting Diploma Introduction and Safety (Yours & Animals), which gives you a clear indication of the assumed starting point. That shape is likely to be most useful for anyone who wants a structured go at a skill rather than another article about it whose training need matches those topics. It is a weaker fit if you only need one isolated skill, or if an employer has specified a different standard, awarding body or practical assessment. Before buying, compare that requirement with the final modules on Birds and Pet Ailments as well as the course title.

How to use the syllabus

Treat the module list as a study plan, not just a contents page. Begin with Pet Sitting Diploma Introduction and Safety (Yours & Animals) and note any terms or processes you need to revisit. Around the middle, Transporting Animals Safely acts as a useful checkpoint: if you can explain that material without looking back, move on; if not, repeat the preceding section before adding more. The later work on Birds and Pet Ailments is where you can test whether the earlier ideas connect. After each block, write a short example from your own work or a realistic scenario. That simple retrieval step makes self-paced learning more useful than clicking straight through to completion.

Check before enrolling

The listed study time is 15 hours; reserve more time if the subject is new to you or you plan to make detailed notes. No fixed access period is stated in the validated course facts; ask us before enrolling if a deadline matters to your plans. A downloadable or printable completion certificate is described, but it records course completion rather than replacing a regulated qualification. The course carries a CPD accreditation reference; still check that your employer or professional body accepts this exact course for the purpose you have in mind.

Full course details from the training provider

Anyone who loves animals and wants to start their own successful pet sitting business will benefit from this information packed course. The course will teach you everything you need to know about caring for pets, including the legalities and insurances needed. Provide your clients with complete peace of mind when using your services with this industry recognised certification.

Introduction to Pet Sitting Diploma

The Pet Sitting Diploma is an online course which has been broken down into twenty three manageable and information packed modules, which should take around fifteen hours to complete. The course covers everything you need to know about setting up and running your own successful pet sitting business.

During your online studies, you enjoy the convenience of online support and the ability to study using any device with online modules you can access at any time from anywhere. You get to study at your own pace with no schedules, so you can still work full time while preparing to start your own business on the side and in the future.

On successful completion of the course, you will need to complete the multiple-choice test, which questions you on things you will have learned throughout the twenty three modules. On passing, you will gain immediate access to your certificate, which you can then download and print.

What You Will Learn

The manageable twenty three modules are designed to teach you everything you need to know when offering pet sitting services, this includes:

  • Get an introduction to pet sitting. This includes health and safety and animal welfare, how to approach any animal and why security is so important.
  • Learn about safety for you and the pet. Learn about written health and safety policies and when you need one, how to protect yourself and risks involved when it comes to pet sitting.
  • Understand the legal requirements involved along with the five zoonotic diseases, the animal boarding act, health and safety at work and the importance of protecting your clients’ information.
  • Learn more about dog walking. Learn how to build your pack of dogs and signs of dog aggression along with the different types of dog aggression.
  • Understand the importance of a pre-service visit, preparing pet information sheets and the documentation needed.
  • Learn the five forms you must include in your client packs, how to comply with the Data Protection Act and storing your clients’ information and how to use your client packs to increase your profits.
  • Identify with day to day pet sitting, including how long you need to allocate for each dog walk, the order you need to use when taking care of each pet and time to set aside between appointments.
  • Learn how to transport animals safely.
  • Learn more about effective animal handling. You will learn the three step process to minimise stress in animals and when you should and shouldn’t approach an animal.
  • Learn more about dogs and cats from the different breeds to nutritional requirements.
  • Get an understanding of fish. This includes the three groups and breeds. It will teach you the different water temperature requirements, how often water needs to be changed and how to test the water for nitrates.
  • Understand how to care for rodents from cage cleaning frequency to breeds and types that you may be asked to care for.
  • Learn how to care for rabbits and guinea pigs from their nutritional needs to behavioural traits and more.
  • Learn everything you need to know about reptiles including feeding requirements, temperature requirements and behavioural traits.
  • Get an understanding on various pet ailments and how to care for them.
  • Learn essential pet first aid that you may have to use when offering your services.
  • Get valuable information on setting up and running your own successful pet sitting business.
  • Learn how to market your business effectively to reach the right target audience.
  • Identify pricing and costs.
  • Take advantage of the useful troubleshooting section to provide you with guidance and advice for your pet sitting business.

Benefits of the Pet Sitting Diploma

This effective training course provides you with a number of benefits, these include:

  • You can use the diploma to improve your career prospects.
  • You will be given the information and insight you need to start your own business.
  • The course is broken down into manageable modules.
  • You study online from anywhere using any device.
  • You can study at your own pace with no deadlines to meet.
  • Receive online support throughout your studies.
  • Industry recognised certificate you can download, print and include in your client information packs.


Who can take the course?
Anyone who has an interest in learning more about this subject matter is encouraged to take the course. There are no entry requirements to take the course.

What is the structure of the course?
The course is broken down into 23 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although you are free to spend as much or as little time as you feel necessary on each module, simply log in and out of the course at your convenience.

Where / when can I study the course?
You can study the course any time you like. Simply log in and out of the web based course as often as you require. The course is compatible with all computers, tablet devices and smart phones so you can even study while on the move!

Is there a test at the end of the course?
Once you have completed all modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.

What is the pass mark for the final test?
The pass mark for the test is 70%. If you don’t pass the test first time you will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times you can take the test. All test retakes are included within the price of the course.

When will I receive my certificate?
Once you have completed your test you can log in to your account and download/print your certificate any time you need it.

How long does it take to complete the course?
We estimate that the course will take about 15 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Diploma course content

  • Module 1: Pet Sitting Diploma Introduction
  • Module 2 : Safety (Yours & Animals)
  • Module 3 : Legal & Requirements
  • Module 4 : Dog Walking
  • Module 5 : Pre Service Visit
  • Module 6 : Forms and Record Keeping
  • Module 7 : Day to Day Pet Sitting
  • Module 8 : Transporting Animals Safely
  • Module 9 : Animal Handling
  • Module 10 : Dogs & Cats
  • Module 11 : Fish
  • Module 12 : Rodents
  • Module 13 : Rabbits and Guinea Pigs
  • Module 14 : Reptiles
  • Module 15 : Birds
  • Module 16 : Pet Ailments
  • Module 17 : Pet First Aid
  • Module 18 : Running Your Own Business
  • Module 19 : Setting up a Business
  • Module 20: Marketing
  • Module 21: Pricing
  • Module 22: Costs
  • Module 23: Troubleshooting

Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Diploma course details

  • Course Access: Lifetime
  • Exams Included: Yes
  • Compatibility: All major browsers / devices

What you will learn

Learning outcomes

  • The manageable twenty three modules are designed to teach you everything you need to know when offering pet sitting services, this includes:
  • Get an introduction to pet sitting. This includes health and safety and animal welfare, how to approach any animal and why security is so important.
  • Learn about safety for you and the pet. Learn about written health and safety policies and when you need one, how to protect yourself and risks involved when it comes to pet sitting.
  • Understand the legal requirements involved along with the five zoonotic diseases, the animal boarding act, health and safety at work and the importance of protecting your clients' information.
  • Learn more about dog walking. Learn how to build your pack of dogs and signs of dog aggression along with the different types of dog aggression.
  • Understand the importance of a pre-service visit, preparing pet information sheets and the documentation needed.
  • Learn the five forms you must include in your client packs, how to comply with the Data Protection Act and storing your clients' information and how to use your client packs to increase your profits.
  • Identify with day to day pet sitting, including how long you need to allocate for each dog walk, the order you need to use when taking care of each pet and time to set aside between appointments.
  • Learn how to transport animals safely.
  • Learn more about effective animal handling. You will learn the three step process to minimise stress in animals and when you should and shouldn't approach an animal.
  • Learn more about dogs and cats from the different breeds to nutritional requirements.
  • Get an understanding of fish. This includes the three groups and breeds. It will teach you the different water temperature requirements, how often water needs to be changed and how to test the water for nitrates.
  • Understand how to care for rodents from cage cleaning frequency to breeds and types that you may be asked to care for.
  • Learn how to care for rabbits and guinea pigs from their nutritional needs to behavioural traits and more.
  • Learn everything you need to know about reptiles including feeding requirements, temperature requirements and behavioural traits.
  • Get an understanding on various pet ailments and how to care for them.
  • Learn essential pet first aid that you may have to use when offering your services.
  • Get valuable information on setting up and running your own successful pet sitting business.
  • Learn how to market your business effectively to reach the right target audience.
  • Identify pricing and costs.
  • Take advantage of the useful troubleshooting section to provide you with guidance and advice for your pet sitting business.
Ready when you are

Get instant access and start learning today.

Enrol now

Continue your learning