Level 3 Award in Dog Walking & Pet Sitting for Professionals

Introduction

Turn your love of dogs into a professional, licensed business.

The Level 3 Award in Dog Walking & Pet Sitting for Professionals is an Ofqual-regulated qualification designed to give you the knowledge, confidence, and credibility to offer safe, compliant, and high-quality pet-care services.

Accredited by iPET Network, this course equips you with essential skills in canine behaviour, welfare, handling, safety, legislation, and client communication. You’ll learn how to run your business responsibly while keeping dogs happy, healthy, and secure.

Study flexibly online with tutor support and gain the qualification that local authorities, inspectors, and clients recognise as the professional benchmark for dog walkers and pet sitters in the UK.

Learning Objectives

Unit 1 – Planning and Delivering Professional Dog Walking Services

• Understand canine behaviour and body language in group and solo walks.
• Recognise stress signals and manage multi-dog dynamics safely.
• Know how to plan routes, risk-assess environments, and maintain safety.
• Apply safe handling, control, and recall techniques.
• Understand hygiene, waste disposal, and biosecurity responsibilities.
• Know how to transport dogs safely and lawfully.

Unit 2 – Planning and Delivering Professional Pet Sitting Services

• Understand the welfare needs of pets in the owner’s absence.
• Develop routines for feeding, enrichment, and medication.
• Recognise and respond to signs of illness or distress.
• Manage home security and client confidentiality.
• Apply best practice in hygiene, record-keeping, and handovers.

Unit 3 – Professional Practice and Legislation

• Understand your legal duties under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
• Know about insurance, licensing, and data protection requirements.
• Understand record-keeping and consent obligations.
• Develop professional communication and emergency procedures.
• Build good working relationships with clients and veterinary professionals.

Qualification Information

Qualification Title: Level 3 Award in Dog Walking and Pet Sitting for Professionals
Awarding Organisation: iPET Network
Level: 3
Regulated By: Ofqual
Total Qualification Time (TQT): Approximately 80 hours
Delivery: Online, tutor-supported, flexible study

This qualification meets Defra’s licensing expectations for competence and knowledge under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

It helps you evidence compliance with the legal requirement that staff “must have the competence to identify the normal behaviour of the animals in their care and recognise signs of, and take appropriate measures to prevent or mitigate, pain, suffering, injury, disease or abnormal behaviour.”

Reference: Animal Activities Licensing: Statutory Guidance (Gov.uk)

Who is the course for?

This regulated qualification is for anyone who works with dogs – particularly in these settings:

• Dog boarder
• Dog day carer
• Dog breeder
• Dog walking
• Dog trainer/behaviourist
• Dog grooming
• Pet sitting

You do not need any prior knowledge or qualifications to study for this qualification, although some experience or related knowledge will be advantageous.

Assignments and assessments

Learning Style and Content

Delivered via Dog Business School’s interactive online platform, combining videos, reading materials, podcasts, case studies, and tutor feedback.

Assessments

Achievement is through a portfolio of evidence that includes:

• Written assignments (typically 300–600 words)
• Scenario-based case studies and risk assessments
• Knowledge quizzes and reflection logs
• Tutor feedback and review sessions

Pass / Refer

Each task is graded Pass or Refer. Two complimentary resubmissions are included; further resits cost £25.

Certification

Certificates are issued by iPET Network following external verification (typically within 2–6 months). Dog Business School can supply interim proof of achievement for licensing or insurance applications.

This Level 3 Award sets you apart as a trained, compliant, and trustworthy professional. It builds client confidence, supports licensing approval, and strengthens your professional reputation.

Dog walkers and pet sitters who hold this qualification stand out to clients and satisfy insurance and local authority expectations from day one.

FAQs