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Animal Care · Certificate

Turn Your Love for Dogs
Into a New Zealand Business

This course gives you the practical skills to start your own dog walking or pet sitting business in New Zealand. Learn how to safely handle dogs and manage the business side, from IRD rules to getting your first clients.

Free first lesson
Or enrol on the spot
Rated 5 by our students
From $25
Per Week
ICOES + CPD
Endorsed Certificate
14-Day
Money-Back Guarantee
100%
Online, Self-Paced
24/7
AI Tutor
Where this can take you

Upskill. Career or Business. Made for New Zealand.

Whatever you are here for, these are the kinds of roles your new skills could lead to:

Dog Walker
Pet Sitter
In-Home Pet Carer
Doggy Daycare Assistant
Pet Boarding Attendant
Pet Care Business Owner
Curriculum

What You’ll Learn.

5 modules · 50 lessons · Study at your own pace

01Welcome & IntroductionFree
02How Dogs Communicate: Reading Body Language
03Stress and Fear in Dogs: What It Looks Like in Real Situations
04Greeting Dogs Safely: Your First Contact Protocol
05Handling Basics: Leads, Harnesses, and Collars
06Dog Breeds and Temperament: What to Expect
07Recognising Signs That a Dog Needs Veterinary Attention
08Dog-to-Dog Interactions: Reading the Room
09Managing Reactive Dogs on Lead
10Children, Strangers, and Dogs: Managing Public Interactions
11Your Pre-Walk Safety Checklist: Putting It All Together
Included with your course

Your 24/7 AI Tutor.

It knows where you are

Your tutor sees the lesson you are on and what you have covered, so every answer fits your progress.

Explains Until You Get It

Confused by a concept? Ask for a simpler take, a real-world example, or a quick quiz to test yourself.

There at 11pm

Study when it suits you. Your tutor is available around the clock, every day of your enrolment.

Inside this course · Your tutor
I live in Christchurch. What are the main rules around walking a group of dogs in public areas?
That's a great question. Council bylaws are key here. Most councils require dogs to be on-leash in public unless it's a designated off-leash park. We cover how to find these areas and the rules under the Dog Control Act. For group walks, it's important to know local limits on the number of dogs you can walk at once. Would you like to explore the specific bylaws for Christchurch City Council?
ModernEdu
This certifies that
Charlotte Reeve
has successfully completed the
Certificate in Dog Walking and Pet Sitting NZ
Issued by Modern Education New Zealand
Certificate No. ME-2026-04871
Verify at modernedu.co.nz/verify
Your certificate

Proof of What You Know.

Endorsed

Endorsed by ICOES, the International Council for Online Educational Standards, and CPD-eligible.

Verifiable online

Every certificate carries a unique number an employer or client can verify on our site in seconds.

Made to share

A printed hard copy is included with upfront enrolment, and a digital version for LinkedIn and your CV.

Student reviews

What People Are Saying.

5 average rating

Set up a plant styling business, and maintain it too

The content was clear and practical — including the set-up of a plant styling business, and ongoing maintenance too.

Emily P. · Verified student

The financial part of the business

Learning about the financial part of the business.

Kristine S. · Verified student

The first weeks are the foundation, not a warm-up

The first weeks in the home are not a warm-up phase, they are the foundation. The guidance we give owners during this window can prevent months of remedial work later, making early intervention one of the most powerful tools we have as trainers.

Gaylene D. · Verified student
What you get

Everything Included.

In this course

50 lessons across 5 modules, read, listen, or watch every one
Your 24/7 AI tutor, built into every lesson
Assessments and your ICOES-endorsed, CPD-eligible certificate
12 months access, with extensions available on request

As a Modern Edu student

Student discount on any additional course
Printed hard-copy edition of your course
More student extras on the way
How it works

Four Steps to Your Certificate.

01

Try It Free

Start lesson 1 right now, free. See the course and meet your tutor before paying anything.

02

Enrol Easily

Pick the option that suits you. Every option is covered by the 14-day guarantee.

03

Make Real Progress

Read, listen, or watch each lesson. Go at your own pace with your tutor beside you.

04

Get Your Certificate

Pass your assessments and receive your endorsed, verifiable certificate.

Enrolment

Easy Ways to Get Started.

Try the first lesson free. When you are ready, split it into four with Afterpay or Klarna, save $140 upfront, or take the simple weekly plan.

Start Here · No Card Needed
Free first lesson
Start lesson 1 right now and meet your AI tutor. See exactly how the course works before you decide anything.
No card. No commitment. Your progress carries over when you enrol.
When you are ready to enrol
Recommended · Split Into Four
$139.75 ×4
Afterpay or Klarna covers the $559 upfront price for you. You get every upfront bonus and the $140 saving, then repay in four fortnightly amounts. Nothing more after that.
A second course free, your choice
Printed edition of your course included
Save $140 compared with the weekly plan
Continue With Afterpay or Klarna
Four interest-free payments of $139.75 for approved applicants. Late fees may apply.
Upfront · Save $140
$559
One payment by card if you would rather settle it in one go. Same bonuses: second course free and the printed edition.
CardAfterpayKlarna
Enrol Upfront for $559
Afterpay and Klarna split $559 into 4 payments of $139.75.
Weekly Payment Plan
$25 /week
28 weekly payments · $700 total
Upfront bonuses not included.
Start the Weekly Plan
Visa · Mastercard · Amex · Afterpay · Klarna accepted.    14-day guarantee
Not sure yet?
Before you enrol

Is It Right for You?

This course is for you if

Animal lovers in New Zealand wanting to start a flexible business.
People looking for a part-time income source they can be proud of.
Anyone who wants a step-by-step plan for dog walking or pet sitting.
Career changers looking for practical work that gets them outdoors.
Stay-at-home parents wanting a side business that fits family life.

It is probably not for you if

Anyone needing a formal NZQA qualification for further study. Try a local polytechnic for NZQA-accredited courses.
People who want to become certified dog trainers or behaviourists. This requires a different, more specialised pathway.
Individuals looking to become veterinary nurses or assistants. That is a regulated profession requiring formal training.
People living outside New Zealand, as the business content is specific to IRD and council rules here.

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

Try the full course for two weeks. If it is not for you, we refund you in full. No questions asked, no conditions.

More from students

“I love that it has different ways to learn! I'll keep learning about each flower's conditioning needs — I feel I've learnt so much already.”

Tammie O. · Verified student

“Very informative, and I like the focus on clients. It's better to give advice in small segments — just as we do with our dogs. Small steps.”

John H. · Verified student

“Real world responses — wow. The laws, and what it means to run a facility, is an eye opener. Even the less-common-pets section was eye opening — rabbits are illegal to keep as pets here in Queensland!”

Lee P. · Verified student
Good to know

Common Questions.

Do I need experience with dogs to take this course?+
No prior experience is needed. The course starts with the basics, including how to read dog body language, how to greet dogs safely, and how to handle leads and harnesses. It builds from there into group walking, pet sitting, and running a business. If you already have some experience, the business and compliance content alone makes it worth your time.
What business and legal topics does the course cover for New Zealand?+
There is a full section on setting up a business in New Zealand. It covers sole trader versus company structures, registering with the IRD, GST, expense tracking, and council bylaws for dog walking. The course also covers the Dog Control Act, insurance, client contracts, and how to handle client data responsibly. All of this is specific to New Zealand, not generic business advice.
How long does the course take to complete?+
The course is designed for around 119 hours of study at your own pace. If you want to move faster, the fast-track path can be completed in around 10 hours by focusing on the core content. You have 12 months of access, so you can go slowly or push through quickly depending on your situation.
What certificate do I receive, and is it recognised?+
You receive a Certificate in Dog Walking and Pet Sitting NZ, issued by Modern Education New Zealand. The course is accredited by ICOES (International Council for Online Educational Standards), and your certificate can be verified on the ICOES website. This is not a nationally recognised qualification under NZQA, but it is a solid credential to show clients and include on your website or CV.
How is this different from watching dog walking videos on YouTube?+
YouTube can give you tips, but it does not give you a structured course built for New Zealand. This course covers NZ-specific topics like local body bylaws, off-leash area rules, IRD registration, GST, and the Dog Control Act. It also includes an AI tutor on every lesson, so you can ask questions and get answers based on the content rather than searching for another video.
Does the course cover walking multiple dogs at once?+
Yes. There are dedicated lessons on group walk techniques, including how to manage spacing, control, and flow with multiple dogs. The course also covers how to read dog-to-dog interactions, manage reactive dogs on lead, and decide which dogs are suitable to walk together. These are some of the most practical lessons in the course.

Start With a Free Lesson.

Start with the free first lesson, or enrol on the spot from $25 a week.

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Certificate in Dog Walking and Pet Sitting NZ
First lesson free · $25/week · 14-day guarantee