Dog Walking Course
Dog Walking Course brochure

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What our learners say

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“I would highly recommend it. It is very thorough and help is always available.”
Shona, County Durham, UK
“I have learnt so much already that I didn't know and I'm not even half way through it yet.”
Claire, Co. Down, UK
“You are able to study at home at your own pace and if you need assistance your tutor is always available to help you.”
Sharon, Bristol, UK
“Do it! The course is very good.”
Kelly Buchanan, Herefordshire, UK
“Definitely worthwhile and excellent value for money.”
Philippa Clarke, UK

Accredited Diploma in Dog Walking Course

The 9 Dog Walking Course Modules

1. Welcome

  • Your new career in dog walking and pet sitting
  • Why dog walking and pet sitting is better than most jobs.
  • What you will need
  • Filing system for keeping records
  • Your vehicle. Fixtures and fittings for transporting dogs. Moisture extraction system. Sign writing.
  • How to get experience (start with friends and neighbours)
  • How to get organised. Rota management. Time management.
  • Your appearance. Your choice of uniform. How it promotes your service and boosts credibility
  • Tools and equipment: Leads, couplers, nail clippers, tick-removers, waterproof camera and phone, footwear, waterproof trousers and jacket.
  • Outline of the main services (walking, pet sitting, boarding). Which will you offer?
  • Tutor-marked Assignment

2. Your Dog Walking service

  • How to provide a dog walking service.
  • Overview of pet sitting and dog walking
  • How to provide a dog walking service
  • Doing market research
  • How to get your first client
  • Earning trust and affection
  • Body language
  • The Point is Exercise
  • The right kind of lead
  • Tips for walking dogs
  • Group formation
  • Collecting the dogs
  • Positioning the dogs in your van
  • Safely releasing the dogs from your van
  • Planning your routes
  • Taking photos and videos
  • Using a dog whistle
  • Identifying potential hazards
  • Getting your dogs back in the van
  • Returning your dogs to their owners.
  • Branded dog ID tags
  • Pricing Your Dog Service
  • Encounters with other dogs.
  • Dealing with aggression. How to manage a dog fight
  • Microchips
  • Insurance is essential
  • Marketing when you’re out. Branded coats.
  • Interview with Jan Evans, Muddy Paws dog walking service
  • Tutor-marked assignment

3. How to provide a Day care and Pet Sitting service

  • What is Pet Sitting?
  • How a pet sitting service works
  • Doing market research into day care and boarding
  • Getting your first client.
  • Doing a pre-visit.
  • Checklist of information you need from the owner
  • Record keeping.
  • Taking client instructions
  • What to Charge for Pet Sitting. How to charge
  • How to reduce high pet anxiety
  • How to clean a pet’s bed or living area
  • Securing the property. Keys.
  • Securing the dog or cat
  • Providing medications
  • Giving feedback to the owner. Keeping a journal.
  • Getting repeat business and referrals
  • Getting testimonials
  • Tutor-marked Assignment

4. How to safely handle and transport dogs and cats

  • Approaching an animal
  • How to restrain a dog or cat.
  • How to handle a dog or cat
  • Behaviour: fear, self preservation
  • Transporting cats and dogs.
  • How to administer medication
  • Tutor-marked assignment

5. An emergency! First aid

  • The moment of truth: Taking care of an injured pet
  • How to do an assessment
  • The Dr's ABC method
  • Airways, Breathing and Circulation
  • Dog injuries
  • Bites
  • Stings
  • Fractures
  • Shock
  • Burns
  • Poisoning, fitting and vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Other animal injuries
  • Human first aid: Dog bites
  • What you need in a first aid kit.
  • How to contact a vet
  • Who will pay for treatment
  • Insurance

6. Providing a home-from-home or boarding service.

  • What facilities you need for home-from-home
  • Facilities needed for boarding. Build or buy.
  • Questions a client asks
  • Staffing
  • Insurance.
  • Medications.
  • What to charge.
  • How to charge.
  • Tutor-marked assignment

7. How to find clients for your Pet Care Business

  • Marketing Your Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Business
  • Your company name, brand image and identity
  • Your stationery
  • Online advertising
  • Print advertising.
  • Postcards and business cards
  • Word of mouth. Referrals
  • Directories
  • How to set up a simple but effective website.
  • Testimonials
  • Handling enquiries. Your terms and conditions.
  • What to charge.
  • Tutor-marked Assignment

8. How to manage the money and stay within the law

  • Do you need to be registered?
  • How to form a Pet Sitting/Dog Walking business
  • Do you need a business plan?
  • Getting business insurance. Public Liability, Employee liability, Care Custody & Control/Animal Liability, Professional Indemnity, Equipment Insurance, Personal Accident Cover, Vet Fees Extension, Loss of Key Cover, Glass Cover. Some recommended companies.
  • Suitable van insurance
  • Local council licensing for operating as a dog walker in a local park or if you offer dog home boarding services.
  • Borrowing for your business
  • Your costs. Paying the bills
  • Keeping the books and using an accountant – we have this already.
  • What the law says
  • DBS checks (formerly CRB) to demonstrate trustworthiness and add confidence in your service.
  • Useful resources and links
  • Tutor-marked Assignment

9. Launching your service, and finding your first client

  • Marketing yourself/your service/practice/business
  • Positioning your business
  • USP - standing out from the crowd
  • How to find clients
  • Sources of work
  • Promotional material
  • Gaining experience
  • Handling clients
  • Sustaining your profile
  • Tutor-marked assignment

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