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Certificate in Caring for Dogs

Build Skills in Dog Care and Earn a CPD Certificate

Study the essentials of caring for dogs online, at your own pace, and earn an ICOES-accredited certificate with CPD credits upon completion.

CPD Endorsed100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
Enquire now
6 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
9
Units
Flexible
Start Date
CPD Endorsed
Credential
Certificate in Caring for Dogs

Build Skills in Dog Care and Earn a CPD Certificate

Study the essentials of caring for dogs online, at your own pace, and earn an ICOES-accredited certificate with CPD credits upon completion.

CPD Endorsed100% OnlineFrom $29/Week
6 Mths
Duration
Online
Delivery
9
Units
Flexible
Start Date
CPD Endorsed
Credential
Why Study This

Practical, Job-Relevant Skills You Can Build.

ICOES-Accredited Certificate With CPD Credits On Completion

90 Hours Of Self-Paced Study, 6 Months Access, No Exams

Unlimited Tutor Support Plus SEEK Pass Credential Verification

Skills & Applications

Skills You'll Build

Practical, job-relevant skills for these roles. As a professional development course, it builds capability in this field rather than guaranteeing a specific role or salary.

Dog Grooming AssistantSupports professional groomers with bathing, brushing, and preparing dogs for grooming appointments.
Kennel HandCares for dogs in boarding or shelter facilities, including feeding, exercising, and maintaining clean kennels.
Dog Daycare AttendantSupervises and cares for dogs in a daycare setting, ensuring their safety and wellbeing throughout the day.
Canine Welfare OfficerMonitors the health and behaviour of dogs in shelter or rescue environments and supports their daily care.
Pet Care CoordinatorCoordinates pet care services, communicates with owners, and oversees daily operations at a pet care facility.
Shelter Support WorkerAssists animal shelters with dog handling, cleaning, feeding, and supporting adoption processes.
Training Assistant (Dogs)Assists qualified dog trainers during classes and helps owners with basic handling and behaviour guidance.
Client Services Officer (Pet Care)Manages bookings, owner communications, and front-of-house duties for a pet care business.
Veterinary Receptionist (Dogs)Handles reception duties at a veterinary clinic, including scheduling appointments and greeting clients with…
Animal Behaviour Support AssistantProvides support to animal behaviourists or trainers by observing dogs and assisting with behaviour programmes.

Possible career directions only; no specific job, salary or outcome is guaranteed. Where you go depends on your experience, the employer and your location.

What You’ll Learn

9 Units

Core Units · 9 units
  • Topic 1Introduction to Dog Care
  • Topic 2Canine Biology
  • Topic 3Dog Health – Nutrition
  • Topic 4Dog Health – Disorders
  • Topic 5Exploring Dog Breeds
  • Topic 6Responsible Dog Breeding
  • Topic 7Dog Behaviour and Training
  • Topic 8Grooming Dogs
  • Topic 9Other Dog Services
Before You Apply

Entry Requirements

What you’ll typically need to get started.

No formal academic prerequisites

Requirements can vary by intake and pathway, so submit an enquiry to confirm what applies to you.

What’s Included

Everything That Comes With Your Enrolment

Industry-Accredited Certificate

Courses are accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office, and The Career Academy is a member of the International Approval & Recognition Council (IARC), giving graduates a recognised qualification.

Unlimited Tutor Support

Students have unlimited access to tutor support via phone and email during business hours throughout their studies.

100% Online, Self-Paced Learning

Study 100% online at your own pace, whenever suits you, with 6 months access to course materials.

Career Centre Access

Upon enrolment, students receive instant access to the Career Centre including CV templates, a free personalised CV review, interview preparation tips, job opportunities, and a five-step job success process.

Career Success Bundle Upgrade

Optional upgrade includes expert career coaching, a personalised career plan, LinkedIn profile review, and proven strategies for job success.

Free Student ID Card

Free virtual Student ID card providing access to over 150,000 discounts on food, entertainment, travel and more in New Zealand and around the world.

FREE CCH eBook Library Access

Free access to over 50 CCH eBook titles to enhance learning and knowledge upon enrolment.

SEEK Pass Verified Credential

Upon completion, graduates can verify their qualification with SEEK Pass to share on SEEK and stand out to employers as a qualified, job-ready candidate.

Free bonus courses included

CCH eBook Library Access

Free access to over 50 titles to enhance learning and knowledge.

Student ID Card

Virtual Student ID Card providing access to over 150,000 discounts on food, entertainment…

SEEK Pass Verified Credential

Verify your qualification from The Career Academy with SEEK Pass upon completion to share…

CAN
Your Provider

The Career Academy NZ

The Career Academy offers an online Career Centre providing career coaching, CV reviews, interview preparation, job search resources, and LinkedIn profile reviews. Students have access to a Career Success Hub, Business Hub, and Self Service Resource Hub. The centre includes one-to-one coaching from dedicated career support staff and is available to all students during and after their studies.

Fees & Funding

Flexible Ways To Pay

From $29/Week
on an interest-free payment plan
EASY WAYS TO PAY
Pay upfrontWeekly payment plan
Enquire to confirm the exact fees and payment options for your situation. We don’t list a set price here because it varies by your circumstances.
Getting Started

Your Path To Enrolment

A few simple steps from enquiry to your first day.

1
Submit enrolment form online
2
Choose payment option (upfront or weekly payment plan)
3
Receive instant access to course and Career Centre upon enrolment
Why Students Choose The

What Students Say

★★★★★

“Hiromi found the perfect work-life balance after enrolling in The Career Academy. As a busy mum, the flexibility of online study allowed her to pursue her dream career while caring for her family. Upon completing her course, she secured a role with The Back Office Company and began her journey in a new profession.”

HHiromi
★★★★★

“Cameron transformed his passion for dogs into a successful mobile dog grooming service. With everything from a full grooming table to a hydro-bath, he brings the salon directly to his clients' homes. Cameron's journey started with The Career Academy's Diploma in Dog Grooming, which equipped him with the skills and confidence to launch his business.”

CYCameron Young
★★★★★

“Janet followed her passion for dogs and landed her dream role in a grooming salon, thanks to the Advanced Certificate in Dog Grooming from The Career Academy. Her studies gave her the knowledge to expand her expertise, and she's already planning to launch her own mobile grooming service.”

JJanet
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

This course has no formal entry requirements, making it accessible to anyone with an interest in dog care. It suits complete beginners as well as people with informal experience who want to formalise their knowledge. Submit an enquiry to confirm any current enrolment conditions.
The course is accredited by ICOES and the CPD Standards Office, and The Career Academy NZ is a member of the International Approval and Recognition Council (IARC). Graduates earn CPD credits and receive an ICOES-accredited certificate that can be verified via SEEK Pass. It is not a government-accredited qualification on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
Students receive 6 months access to course materials, with approximately 90 hours of study in total. The course is fully self-paced, so students can work through it at a schedule that suits them. Submit an enquiry if you need clarification on access extensions or study flexibility.
The course is delivered 100% online by The Career Academy NZ, with no set class times or exams. Students access materials at any time during their 6-month enrolment and can contact a tutor via phone or email during business hours for unlimited support throughout their studies.
This course does not include a formal work placement component. The focus is on building foundational knowledge through online study. Students interested in hands-on experience may wish to seek volunteer or casual roles alongside their studies, which can complement what they learn.
A weekly payment plan may be available to help spread the cost of the course. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm current pricing and payment options.
As a professional development course, credit toward formal qualifications is arranged through the provider's RPL or credit recognition process. Submit a Get Course enquiry to confirm what prior learning or completed units may count toward further study.
Graduates can progress to the Advanced Certificate in Dog Grooming or the Diploma in Dog Grooming, both available through The Career Academy NZ. These pathways build on the foundational skills covered in this course and move into more specialised grooming techniques and business knowledge. Submit an enquiry to find out current availability and entry requirements for these programmes.
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About This Course

Certificate in Caring for Dogs

This course covers the core knowledge and practical skills needed to care for dogs confidently. Students learn about dog health, behaviour, nutrition, grooming basics, and responsible ownership. The course suits animal lovers looking to enter the pet care industry or formalise existing skills.

Delivered by The Career Academy NZ, the course is 100% online and self-paced, with 6 months access to course materials and around 90 hours of study. There are no exams, and students have unlimited tutor support via phone and email during business hours throughout their studies.

On completion, graduates receive an ICOES-accredited certificate and earn CPD credits. Credentials can be verified through SEEK Pass to share with potential employers. An optional Career Success Bundle upgrade provides personalised career coaching, a LinkedIn profile review, and a career plan.

Ready When You Are

Take The Next Step Into Health & Community Services

Enquire about this course and a course advisor from The Career Academy NZ will be in touch with pricing and next steps.

Helping students across New Zealand find the right course since 2013 · 1M+ enquiries

100% OnlineFrom $29/Week

Disclaimer: Course information on this page is sourced from the education provider and was last verified on the date shown below. Details including pricing, availability, entry requirements and course content may change without notice. Get Course is a directory service that connects students with course providers; we do not deliver courses directly. Contact the provider for the most current information before enrolling.

Last updated: July 2026