Course Details

  • Course Code: USVC18CPC
  • Location: Online
  • Duration: 50 hours
  • Cost:
  • Qualification: All modern browsers and devices

Further Details

  • Course Access: Lifetime
  • Exams Included: Yes
  • Compatibility: All modern browsers and devices

Approved Course:




Includes the Following Courses

Pet Sitting Certification
Dog Grooming Certification
Pet Nutrition Certification
Pet Psychology Certification

The Complete Pet Care Certification

If you are one of the many people that has a natural love for animals and would like to learn more about how to care for them in a more effective manner, then this special 4 in 1 course will provide you with the skills and knowledge that you require. By covering different aspects of animal care from pet sitting, to dog grooming, dealing with nutrition and even getting to grips with pet psychology, it is the perfect package for any individual that is serious about providing animals with the best care.

Each course has been carefully designed to include all of the key information that you will need to not only be able to provide better care for animals, but also go on and have a career within these fields. To better understand what you will receive, we shall look at each course in brief.

What you Will Learn.

This course contains a number of different aspects including the following:

  • A pet sitting course
  • A dog grooming course
  • A pet nutrition course
  • A pet psychology course

The Pet Sitting Course

The pet sitting course looks at not only how to care for the animals, but their health and safety and even how to approach them in the correct manner. You will also be guided through how to do things safely for the sake of your own health and also that of the animal. Of course, this also then leads to the legal side of things as well as how to look for certain diseases that could spell disaster for both the animals you are caring for and your business in general.

Furthermore, you will learn about pet sitting and what is involved, dog walking, how much time to allocate to the animals and even how to transport them in a safe and secure manner. If that was not enough, you will also be taken through how to run the business side of things, including the key forms that are required.

It should be noted that this course does include more than just dogs and cats.

The Dog Grooming Course

With our dog grooming course, you will learn about more than just how to groom them, but also why doing so is such an important thing for their health and general wellbeing. You will be guided through looking at their health, parasites, and their anatomy, so that you get a better understanding of the concept of grooming.

There will also be information on the business side, including how to set up your workstation to allow you to groom dogs in a professional manner. This will also include how to deal with a fearful dog as well as those that are difficult to handle. Finally, you will discover how to handle emergencies should any arise, providing you with a full understanding of the dog grooming industry.

The Pet Nutrition Course

The pet nutrition course will provide you with the relevant knowledge to allow you to run a professional business advising people on how to provide their pet with the best nutrition and help their health in the process. You will focus on different types of food and pet diets and what the various nutrients can do for their general health.

Furthermore, you will study their digestive system and the various feeding stages that they have to go through in their life according to their needs at the time. You will be taught about the ideal weights for various pets and the issues that they may face when they fail to be within that weight range.

Finally, you will be taken through the concept of what is good food for pets and what would be deemed to be bad food, including snacks and even the use of herbs to help them. Alternative therapies, such as essential oils, will also be mentioned to provide you with a full range of ideas that can then be used in an advisory capacity.

The Pet Psychology Course

Our pet psychology course allows you to understand the behaviour of your pet and how to handle any issues. You will learn the history of the study of animal psychology and why it is so important. You will compare the brains of cats and dogs while focusing on their emotions and how to interpret them correctly.

In addition, you will work through how to best communicate with them and how their behaviour can change as they get older and how to cope with those changes. There will also be lessons on dealing with negative behaviour, including aggression and understanding psychiatric issues that can be distressing for both animal and owner.

The Benefits of our Ultimate Animal Care Course

There are a number of major benefits associated with this special 4 in 1 animal care course in that it does provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to look after animals in a more specialised way.

Throughout the various courses there is a real focus on the key training needed, and also how to run a successful business and to make sure that you are doing the correct things from a legal perspective.

However, further benefits include:

  • Study online and at home
  • Study at your own pace
  • Have full support online as you complete the course
  • Take advantage of the comprehensive modules that are easy to follow
  • Receive an industry recognised certification at the end
  • There are no entry requirements

By taking our Ultimate Animal Care Course it means you will be perfectly placed to work in a number of areas connected to animals. It is perfect for any individual that has a natural love for them and wishes to provide better care in order to offer them a superior life to what they are having right now.



Course Modules/Lessons

Pet Sitting Certification

Module 1: Pet Sitting Diploma Introduction

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

Module 2 : Safety (Yours & Animals)

  • 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

Module 3 : Legal Requirements

  • The different types of Zoonotic diseases to protect yourself from
  • Why you may need a license from your local government
  • Various legislations you need to know about and comply with as a professional pet sitter
  • About the contracts you should have in place as a pet sitter

Module 4 : Dog Walking

  • Who your true target audience is for your dog walking service
  • How to build your pack of dogs
  • How to recognize the signs of dog aggression
  • The different types of dog aggression

Module 5 : Pre Service Visit

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

Module 6 : Forms and Record Keeping

  • 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
  • An example statement to include on your veterinary release form to minimize your vet expenses (May be compulsory for your business insurance policy)

Module 7 : Day to Day Pet Sitting

  • 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

Module 8 : Transporting Animals Safely

  • 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

Module 9 : Animal Handling

  • Why tight grasps negatively affect animal behavior
  • 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

Module 10 : Dogs & Cats

  • 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

Module 11 : Fish

  • 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

Module 12 : Rodents

  • 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

Module 13 : Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

  • 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

Module 14 : Reptiles

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

Module 15 : Birds

  • 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

Module 16 : Pet Ailments

  • What viruses pets need to be vaccinated against
  • How to care for diabetic pets
  • The symptoms of common illnesses and why you need to be aware still of Distemper
  • The age kittens and pups should get their primary course of vaccinations

Module 17 : Pet First Aid

  • 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

Module 18 : Running Your Own Business

  • The length of time it could take for your business to receive its first payment
  • When you need to register your business
  • The importance of your diary
  • How to manage your time efficiently

Module 19 : Setting up a Business

  • About tailoring your services to meet the needs of groups of customers
  • How to identify what people are already spending on pet care
  • The simplest route to starting your own business
  • What will drive a prospect to make the hiring decision and become a paying client

Module 20: Marketing

  • A variety of ways to market your business effectively
  • How to use your brand identity to promote your service
  • The social media profiles to help you create your online brand
  • How to design your business cards in a way that encourages people to keep hold of your information

Module 21: Pricing

  • 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

Module 22: Costs

  • The difference between your direct costs and indirect costs
  • How to determine your startup costs
  • How to maximize your earnings
  • How to determine your cost of customer acquisition

Module 23: Troubleshooting

  • What to do when your business hits a quiet spell
  • About making contingency plans
  • How to deal with and reduce cancellations
  • About scenarios when you may be best to discontinue services with problematic clients

Dog Grooming Certification

Module 1: Introduction

  • Introduction to pet grooming and why it is necessary
  • Why we need to be calm and assertive when dealing with dogs
  • Who can become a pet groomer
  • What equipment is required for pet grooming

Module 2 : The History of Dog Grooming

  • Man's historic relationship with dogs
  • The emergence of dog grooming
  • When dog grooming was first undertaken
  • The emergence of grooming from the purely practical to a fashion trend

Module 3 : Anatomy and Health, Parasites, Infections, and Zoonotic Diseases

  • The anatomy of dogs
  • Basic health and how to maintain it
  • Parasites - external and internal
  • Infections

Module 4 : Pre-Grooming Health Assessment

  • The importance of a pre-grooming health check
  • Why it is vital that your client knows the results of the check
  • How to handle a dog during the check
  • Why a checklist is important

Module 5 : Coat and Skin Disorders & How to Groom a Dog

  • How to identify skin disorders and what to do about them
  • How to identify coat disorders and how to treat them
  • What affects a dog's coat
  • The tools you need for grooming

Module 6 : Getting Started

  • Whether or not pet grooming is for you
  • The avenues open to people wanting to start in pet grooming
  • Starting your own pet grooming business
  • A business plan

Module 7 : Dealing with Difficult Dogs & Training Dogs for Grooming

  • Training dogs to enjoy bath time - the basics
  • Step-by-step approach to bath time
  • Preparing for bathing a fearful dog
  • The bathing sequence

Module 8 : Prepping the Work Area

  • Setting up the ideal work area
  • Lighting, air flow, and safety considerations
  • Workstation requirements
  • The tools required

Module 9 : Pre-Bath Preparation

  • Why thorough pre-grooming checks are important
  • If and when you should abandon a grooming session and refer the dog to a vet
  • What to look for in tooth and ear inspections
  • How to deal with the coats of different types of dogs

Module 10 : How to Bath a Dog

  • Precautions
  • Clothing
  • Getting the dog into the bath
  • Washing the dog

Module 11 : Drying a Dog

  • Why the shake is so important
  • Air drying
  • Towel drying technique
  • Detailed drying of paws and other concealed areas

Module 12 : Detail Grooming (Eyes, Ears, Teeth, Feet, Bottom)

  • The ears and how to clean them
  • Cleaning around the eyes
  • Teeth and gum health and cleaning, and when to involve a vet
  • Trimming claws, shaping paws

Module 13 : Cleaning Your Working Environment

  • Why appearance is important
  • Designing with an eye for cleaning and hygiene
  • Where to start cleaning
  • How to clean well

Module 14 : Grooming Specialities

  • Grooming emergencies
  • Rescue dogs
  • Grooming caregiving dogs
  • Untangling the worst knots

Module 15: Laws for the Workplace, First-Aid, and Emergency Care

  • The law and the workplace
  • Safety in the workplace
  • Minimum safety precautions
  • First-aid training

Pet Nutrition Certification

Module 1: Introduction to Food Types, Types of Diet, and Pet Food Labels

  • Introducing Global Nutrition Organizations
  • Food Types
  • Types of Diet
  • Pet Food Labels

Module 2 : Why Nutrition is Vital for Pets

  • Muscle Tone and Body Condition
  • Skin and Hair Coat Health
  • Digestion and Elimination
  • Immunity and Prevention of Disease

Module 3 : Digestion

  • Herbivores
  • Carnivores
  • Omnivores
  • Dog Digestive System and Anatomy

Module 4 : Feeding Stages in a Pet’s Life

  • Puppies and Kittens
  • Adults
  • Senior Cats and Dogs
  • Pregnancy in Cats and Dogs

Module 5 : Pet Weight

  • Healthy Pet Weight
  • Weight Problems
  • Pets Not Eating
  • Pets Overeating

Module 6 : Pet Food

  • Where to buy the pet food
  • Cheap versus expensive
  • Vet approved foods
  • Changing pet food

Module 7 : Snacks and Treats

  • What Treats to Feed Your Pet
  • When to Provide Treats
  • How to Provide Treats
  • Where to Buy Treats

Module 8 : Herbs and Green Foods

  • Medicinal Health
  • Fleas and Skin Problems
  • Cautions for Pets and Herbs
  • List of Herbs for Pets

Module 9 : Foods to Avoid

  • Human Food
  • Foods Toxic to Dogs
  • Foods Toxic to Cats
  • Foods Harmful to Other Pets

Module 10 : Essential Oils for Pets

  • Essential oils that are known to be harmful to pets
  • Research on essential oils
  • Aromatherapy for pets
  • Use of essential oils on pet fur and skin

Module 11 : Species Specific Sources of Nutrition

  • Animal Nutrition
  • Carbohydrates and Fiber
  • Protein
  • Minerals and Vitamins

Module 12 : Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

  • Rabbits
  • Guinea Pigs
  • 7 Nutrients Required
  • Amounts Necessary

Module 13 : Mice, Hamsters, and Rats

  • Mice
  • Hamsters
  • Rats
  • Keeping the area clean

Module 14 : Fish

  • Fish Food Ingredients
  • Basic Nutrients
  • Types of Food
  • Regulating the Tank

Module 15: Birds

  • Dietary Differences Among Birds
  • Seed Eating Birds
  • Non-seed Eating Birds
  • Switching Diets

Module 16: Reptiles

  • Reptile husbandry and how it impacts eating
  • What reptiles eat
  • Feeding reptiles
  • Deciding how and what to feed your reptile

Module 17: Keeping a Food Diary

  • The Goal of Food Diaries
  • Recording What, When and How Much
  • Health Issues
  • Weight Loss and Gain

Pet Psychology Certification

Module 1: Introduction to Pet Psychology

  • What is animal psychology?
  • Theory of Evolution
  • History of animal psychology - Instinct, Learning, Teaching

Module 2 : Why Learn About Animal Behavior?

  • General reasons for learning about animal behavior
  • Domestication of animals
  • Pet fashion
  • Pet ownership

Module 3 : How Animals See the World/Animal Vision

  • Is all animal vision the same?
  • Seeing colors
  • Seeing by feeling
  • Night vision

Module 4 : Concept Formation

  • The definition of concept formation
  • Types of concept learning
  • What analogical reasoning means
  • How concept formation is important to pets and your interaction

Module 5 : About Animal Brains

  • How science is beginning to understand the animal brain
  • Studies revealing animal intelligence
  • Comparing the human brain to other animals
  • The dog and cat brain

Module 6: Basic Emotional and Motivational Processes and Social Emotions

  • The history of emotional studies
  • Keith Oatley and Jennifer M. Jenkins - understanding emotions
  • Cognitive bias test
  • Basic emotions exhibited

Module 7 : Conditioning

  • Pavlov’s Research with Dogs
  • The Principles of Classical Conditioning
  • Skinner’s Animal Research
  • The Principles of Operant Conditioning

Module 8: Spatial Reasoning

  • Examples of spatial abilities in animals
  • How animals navigate
  • Scientific cognitive nomenclature
  • Honing spatial abilities in pets

Module 9: Language and Animals

  • An overview of language and animals, with an experiment
  • The types of communication
  • The ability to speak
  • Training the human language

Module 10: History of Animal Training

  • The start of animal training
  • Animal Behavior Enterprises (ABE) work based on Skinner's Models
  • Animal training in the military
  • History of Dog Training

Module 11: Typical Dog Behavior

  • Socialization
  • How dogs change with age
  • Understanding puppy behavior
  • Feeding time

Module 12 : How Dogs Learn

  • Similarities & Differences Between Humans & Dogs
  • The Humane Hierarchy Model Of Training & Learning
  • Natural Reinforcement
  • How Dogs Learn From Other Dogs

Module 13: Understanding Dog Communication

  • How smell is one of the most important senses that your dog has
  • Why sound is not only about the barking that your dog is doing
  • Body language in your dog is extremely important to their communication.
  • How a dog communicates through taste and touch

Module 14: Learning about Dog Actions

  • Why dogs chase their tales
  • Why dogs roll
  • Human-to-dog communication
  • About tail movements

Module 15: Dog Fears, Phobias and Aggression

  • Definition of fear and anxiety
  • The causes of fear
  • The onset of fears and phobias
  • Ten most common fears

Module 16: Training Dogs – More on How Dogs Learn

  • House training you dog
  • Teaching commands
  • Four words to live by
  • How your dog reads body language

Module 17: Biobehavioral Monitoring in Dogs

  • The definition of biobehavior
  • What is monitoring
  • How it applies to dogs
  • Why is biobehavioral monitoring in dogs so important

Module 18: Understanding Typical Canine Psychiatric Behaviors

  • Why dogs mark in inappropriate places
  • The reason dogs may urinate when excited or submissive
  • Urination as a result of loud noises
  • The why behind soiling your home

Module 19: Learning About Cat Communication

  • How cats communicate with scents
  • Cat talk and what it means
  • Cat body language
  • How a cat uses touch and taste to communicate

Module 20: What Feline Actions Mean

  • Eating Rituals
  • Early Lessons for Kittens
  • How Older Cats Change
  • Kneading

Module 21: Feline Actions

  • About catnip and presents
  • About belly up and halloween cat
  • About grooming
  • About catnaps

Module 22: Feline Psychiatric Challenges

  • The ins and outs of litter trays
  • Why cats soil other places
  • How to deal with litter challenges
  • About jumping up

Module 23: Cat Anxiety, Fear and Aggression

  • What separation anxiety
  • Why cats fear thunderstorms
  • About outdoor phobias
  • About eating disorders

Module 24: Understanding Rabbits and Rabbit Psychology

  • Building a relationship with your rabbit
  • Common misconstrued behavior
  • Rabbit elimination
  • The chew

Module 25: Understanding Hamsters and Gerbils

  • Types of hamsters and gerbils
  • Comparison to other rodents
  • About hamster talk
  • About gerbil talk

Example Certificate


Certificate No CERTIDNO
This certificate is to verify that
Your Name

has successfully completed the
COMPLETE PET CARE CERTIFICATION
on the
27th August 2025

Daniel Morgan
Head Tutor
New Skills Academy

This certificate can be verified online at:
https://old.newskillsacademy.com

How online learning can benefit you..

 

START THE COMPLETE PET CARE CERTIFICATION NOW



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FAQ's

  • Who can take the course?

    Anyone who has an interest in gaining a greater understanding of this subject 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 in to individual modules. Each module takes between 30 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 of the modules there is a 30 (multiple choice) question 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 happens if I fail the test?

    If you don’t pass the test first time you will get a second opportunity to take the test again after further study.

  • 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. If you would prefer us to post you a certificate there will be an admin charge of $16

  • How can I pay?

    We use Paypal for all payments on the site. You can either use your Visa, MasterCard ,American Express, Solo cards or PayPal account to pay for the online course. All payments are handled securely by Paypal.

  • Is my payment secure?

    As previously mentioned your payment is totally secure. We use the latest ssl encryption for all transactions.

  • How long after payment can I begin the course?

    You can begin the course immediately after your payment has been received.
    You should receive an email with your log in details as soon as your payment has been accepted. If you don’t get this email please check your junk folder, failing that please contact us for further assistance.

  • How long is my certificate valid for?

    There is no expiry or renewal fees

Go at your own pace. There are no time limits for this course.
This course is compatible with all modern devices and browsers.
On completion of the course you will be awarded a certificate.
We are here to help if you have any problems.

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