Hi

Would anyone be familiar with or able to direct me to information about becoming a licensed dog sitter in CH? I'm sure there's some sort of certification required to prove your competence as well. I'm not proficient enough in German or French yet to attend a certified course in Switzerland. I would have to look at the UK to attend some course, would anybody be able to suggest one that would be recognised here for this purpose?

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Hi

Search the forum ( using the Google powered option ) for SKN / Tierpfleger diploma and you will find plenty of useful tips.

One thread is here:

New owner courses

Tierpfleger-Light Course?

Why do you need a licence for your dog to sit?


Over here, it is all about permits and licenses...it creates jobs for 50% of the swiss people, who otherwise....erm...doing something else.

'Tis the law, HAT.

http://www.bvet.admin.ch/themen/tier...x.html?lang=de

The revisions to the TSchV prompted by the Oberglatt tragedy focused on promoting responsibility, knowledge, and skill among those who are in charge of dogs - with an eye to prevention of future tragedies.

As dog owners are now required to take courses before purchasing a dog, and then again within the first year of ownership, it only makes sense that those who are paid to look after them have equal skill and knowledge. Whoever is in the charge of the dog - be it the owner or a third party - must understand the responsibility they undertake.

Yes, many people offering their services as dog walkers, sitters, and carers are not compliant with the law - just look at the number of people here looking for dog care work in the EF market place section. I would guess that most of the folks posting here are unaware of the law, as most come from countries where such activities are not regulated. And many dog owners don't realize that a dog sitter needs to have certain qualifications.

Nonetheless, ignorance of the law is never an excuse. And working illegally is never a good idea.

I would urge all dog owners, and all who offer dog care services, to learn what the law is and how it applies to one's situation.

And this thread illustrates very well why dog sitters, dog walkers, dog carers are being required to meet education requirements:

dog attacked by dog

The courses specified on BVET are for those who are intending to have kennels. It doesn't appear to differentiate between a 'dog walker' and a kennel business. The course is for a year and requires 3 months work experience (I presume unpaid). It doesn't say it recognizes any foreign qualifications. Seems a lot of money and time if you just want to walk the dogs and not keep them anywhere. Does anyone have any information that differs?

Apologies I missed some information on this thread that explains there's shorter courses for this exact situation.

If you're interested in becoming a dog sitter or dog walker (as opposed to wanting to operate a doggie day care or kennel with several dogs), write to the BVET, explaining exactly what you'd like, they can give you the requirements pertinent to your canton.

General start is that you must take the SKN theory course and you must get liability insurance. The rest varies depending on canton and what you want to do exactly.

See also th FAQ on the BVet site:
http://www.bvet.admin.ch/tsp/02222/index.html?lang=de

Click on 'Haufige Fragen zu den Kursen Für Hundehalter und sur Hundetrainerausbildung' on the right side. Page 4.

I think to best way is to contact the swiss vetenary office or your local community. They can assist you what kind of certification is obligated and nessecary.

There's now a sticky at the top of this forum:

Requirements For Dog Care Providers