The 10 Pet Training Certifications Our Employees Master

Click on each training module to see what each is about.

A graphic of the 9 cat and dog training modules PCPSI employees take when hired
Canine Behavior & Communication Dog Breeds 101 PCPSI Training Canine Development Feline Fundamentals Canine Health & Wellness Equipment 101 Bite Prevention Intro to Safe Handling Dog Walking Visit 101

Canine Behavior & Communication

Four dogs trying to bite on a stick and the words "canine behavior & communication"
  • What is Normal Behavior?
  • How to Deal with Barking
  • Reading Body Language in a Neutral or Friendly Dog
  • Calming Signals
  • Fear, Anxiety, & Phobia Defined
  • Predatory Motor Patterns
  • Arousal & Threshold
  • Reading Body Language in a Fearful Dog
  • What is Sociability?
  • Aggression 101
  • What is Socialization?
  • Guide to Aggression Types
  • Reading Body Language of Arousal & Aggression
  • Canine Scent Communication
  • Defining Dominance
  • Canine Sound Communication
  • What is Resource Guarding?
  • Anthropomorphism: What is It & Why Does It Matter?
  • Why Dogs Bark

Dog Breeds 101

Three pugs in a row with the words "Dog Breeds 101"
  • Why Know the Breed?
  • The Hound Group
  • The Herding Group
  • Top 10 Dog Breeds
  • The Working Group
  • The Toy Group
  • A Quick Guide to Breed Groups
  • The Terrier Group
  • The Nonsporting Group
  • The Sporting Group

PCPSI Training

A laptop showing PCPSI Training
  • Mission and Values
  • Our Service Area
  • How Appointments Are Scheduled
  • New Client Meetings
  • Existing Client Meetings
  • Sitter Meetings
  • Providing Service
  • Communication with Clients
  • Dog Behavior, Protocols & Best Practices
  • Cat Behavior, Protocols & Best Practices

Canine Development

A black and tan puppy with the words "Canine Development"
  • Domestication
  • The Socialization Period
  • The Neonatal Period
  • The Juvenile Period
  • The Transition Period
  • Adolescence
  • Maturity
  • The Senior Period

Feline Fundamentals

Three cats sitting in a row and the words "Feline Fundamentals"
  • The ABCs of C-A-T
  • If You’re Bitten or Scratched
  • Nose-to-Tail Wellness Check
  • Insights Into the 5 Feline Senses
  • How to Break Up a Cat Fight
  • Administering Medication: Pills
  • How to Properly Greet a Cat
  • Towel-Wrapping Techniques
  • Administering Liquid Medicine
  • Cat-Human Communication
  • Proper Litter Box Cleaning
  • When to Take a Cat to the Vet
  • Cat-Cat Communication
  • Litter Box Types
  • How to Trim a Cat’s Nails
  • Cat-Dog Communication
  • All About Hairballs
  • Safe Car Transportation
  • Cat Face Geometry Theory
  • Tips for Proper Food Storage
  • Tips for Cats in Hotel Stays

Canine Health & Wellness

A dog on a bed with the words "Canine Health & Wellness"
  • Foods That Are Dangerous to Dogs
  • Common Canine Health Problems
  • Bloat
  • Heatstroke
  • Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease
  • Intestinal Parasites
  • External Parasites
  • Common Zoonotic Diseases
  • Heartworm Basics
  • Administering Medication: Pills
  • Administering Liquid Medicine
  • Subcutaneous Injections
  • When to Take a Dog to the Vet
  • Guide to Canine Vaccines
  • How to Trim a Dog’s Nails
  • How to Brush a Dog’s Teeth

Equipment 101

A dog on a leash with the words "Equipment 101"
  • Collars
  • Harnesses
  • Carabiners
  • Leashes
  • Muzzles
  • Crates

Bite Prevention

Two dogs playing with one about to bite the other one and the words "bite prevention"
  • Bite Levels: What They Are & What They Mean
  • Reading Body Language in a Fearful Dog
  • Safe Greetings
  • Reading Body Language of Arousal & Aggression
  • Arousal & Threshold
  • When the Worst Happens: What to Do If a Bite Occurs

Intro to Safe Handling

two pet sitters with two dogs and the words "Intro to Safe Holding"
  • Intro to Safe Handling
  • Safe Handling: Equipment
  • How to Hold a Leash

Dog Walking Visit 101

two women walking dogs with the words "Dog Walking Visit 101"
  • Writing Great Visit Notes
  • Top 10 Tips: Perfect Visit
  • Encountering Off-Leash Dogs
  • Dog Walker’s Toolkit
  • Doorway Management