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Review the list below of skills and knowledge areas that you may need as a professional pet sitter or dog walker. Please note that your needed skills may vary depending upon your type of business and the types of pets you plan to serve. If you do not see the pet/species that you hope to care for, be encouraged to use this list as a guideline for making your own skills assessment!

Make note of any area(s) where you may need more training. Contact PSI or consult with fellow pet sitters for recommendations on educational opportunities you may need to broaden your knowledge in these core skills.

Dog Care

• Do you know how to safely introduce yourself to a new dog?
• Are you familiar with basic canine body language?
• Do you have experience with small dogs/toy breeds?
• Do you have experience walking large dogs?
• Are you comfortable administering basic hygiene practices for dogs (brushing fur or wiping paws)?
• Do you know how to properly fit a collar/harness and leash a dog for walking?
• Are you familiar with crate training and comfortable taking a dog to and from its crate?
• Are you familiar with signs of illness in dogs?

Cat Care

• Do you know how to safely introduce yourself to a new cat?
• Are you familiar with basic feline body language?
• Are you familiar with litter box maintenance (scooping, replacing and disposing of litter)?
• Are you comfortable providing feline enrichment activities during your visits (brushing fur and species-appropriate play)?
• Are you familiar with signs of illness in cats?
• Do you know how to ascertain the health and safety of a fearful cat?

Bird Care

• Do you know how to safely introduce yourself to a new bird?
• Are you familiar with bird body language and vocalizations?
• Do you have experience providing aviary care?
• Are you familiar with signs of illness in birds?
• Do you have experience encouraging species-specific enrichment and play in birds?
• Are you knowledgeable regarding the various household dangers and toxins which can pose a threat to indoor birds?

Cage Pet/Pocket Pet Care

• Do you know the best method of removing a pet from their cage safely?
• Do you have experience cleaning cages and changing the substrate (pine shavings, etc.)?
• Are you familiar with signs of illness in cage pets?
• Do you know how to best transport a cage pet in the event of an emergency?
• Are you knowledgeable regarding the various household dangers and toxins which can pose a threat to cage pets?

Fish Tank Care

• Do you have experience cleaning fish tanks?
• Do you know how to test for and maintain appropriate pH levels of the tank?
• Are you familiar with signs of illness in fish?
• Do you have experience in safely securing a fish and removing it from the tank, if needed?
• Do you know how to use aquarium heaters and maintain an appropriate tank temperature?
• Are you knowledgeable on the differing needs of freshwater and saltwater fish?